Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Kenya
Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is about the same as in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 (Shilling539) | Shilling1,059 | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM19 (Shilling582) | Shilling882 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (Shilling293) | Shilling481 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (Shilling242) | Shilling142 | + 70% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM10 (Shilling312) | Shilling271 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (Shilling199) | Shilling100 | + 100% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (Shilling858) | Shilling502 | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 (Shilling376) | Shilling198 | + 90% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.73 (Shilling149) | Shilling92 | + 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (Shilling391) | Shilling242 | + 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM66 (Shilling2,079) | Shilling1,265 | + 64% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.72 (Shilling148) | Shilling201 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.69 (Shilling116) | Shilling111 | + 5% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 20% cheaper than in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,011 (Shilling126,132) | Shilling196,139 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,283 (Shilling71,806) | Shilling128,896 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM254 (Shilling7,996) | Shilling8,579 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,402 (Shilling75,526) | Shilling97,620 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,376 (Shilling43,272) | Shilling23,400 | + 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM863 (Shilling27,143) | Shilling8,455 | + 221% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM111 (Shilling3,498) | Shilling5,873 | - 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,876 (Shilling58,984) | Shilling43,137 | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM907 (Shilling28,535) | Shilling23,937 | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM33 (Shilling1,031) | Shilling700 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (Shilling1,142) | - | - | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 12% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM223 (Shilling7,021) | Shilling7,496 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM142 (Shilling4,459) | Shilling2,759 | + 62% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM318 (Shilling10,015) | Shilling17,508 | - 43% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM314 (Shilling9,861) | Shilling8,255 | + 19% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 31% cheaper than in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM152,122 (Shilling4,783,609) | Shilling1,786,980 | + 168% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.07 (Shilling65) | Shilling193 | - 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM51 (Shilling1,609) | Shilling6,449 | - 75% | |
| Personal Care | + 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 48% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 (Shilling298) | Shilling178 | + 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM21 (Shilling657) | Shilling320 | + 105% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM91 (Shilling2,865) | Shilling4,026 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 (Shilling1,384) | Shilling333 | + 316% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (Shilling334) | Shilling308 | + 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 (Shilling438) | Shilling439 | - 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 (Shilling640) | Shilling100 | + 540% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (Shilling217) | Shilling122 | + 78% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM28 (Shilling886) | Shilling1,306 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 20% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| Malaysia | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM115 (Shilling3,627) | Shilling3,290 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM41 (Shilling1,301) | Shilling1,744 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM211 (Shilling6,642) | Shilling1,600 | + 315% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM129 (Shilling4,041) | Shilling5,898 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM41 (Shilling1,295) | Shilling906 | + 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (Shilling420) | Shilling329 | + 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 (Shilling606) | Shilling260 | + 133% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 (Shilling67,448) | Shilling26,546 | + 154% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.17 (Shilling5.24) | Shilling4.09 | + 28% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM201 (Shilling6,335) | Shilling6,759 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Shilling565) | Shilling306 | + 85% | |
| TOTAL | - 13% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 671 prices entered by 149 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
31.446
KES
/
MYR
Cost of living in Malaysia is 13% cheaper than in Kenya
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