Cost of living in Russia compared to Malaysia
Currency:
Food | - 23% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Russia is 23% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | руб 554 (RM30) | RM25 | + 20% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | руб 382 (RM20) | RM21 | - 3% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | руб 218 (RM12) | RM9 | + 24% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | руб 87 (RM4.64) | RM8 | - 45% | |
12 eggs, large | руб 138 (RM7) | RM12 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | руб 208 (RM11) | RM5.89 | + 89% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | руб 420 (RM22) | RM27 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | руб 129 (RM7) | RM13 | - 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | руб 59 (RM3.18) | RM5.52 | - 42% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | руб 85 (RM4.56) | RM14 | - 68% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | руб 689 (RM37) | RM97 | - 62% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | руб 181 (RM10) | RM6 | + 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | руб 42 (RM2.26) | RM4.79 | - 53% | |
Housing | + 34% | |||
Housing in Russia is 34% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | руб 103,905 (RM5,564) | RM3,098 | + 80% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | руб 59,087 (RM3,164) | RM2,051 | + 54% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | руб 7,789 (RM417) | RM337 | + 24% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | руб 54,275 (RM2,906) | RM2,126 | + 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | руб 33,384 (RM1,788) | RM1,265 | + 41% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | руб 5,450 (RM292) | RM153 | + 91% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | руб 971 (RM52) | RM83 | - 37% | |
40” flat screen tv | руб 20,501 (RM1,098) | RM1,408 | - 22% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,224 (RM387) | RM418 | - 7% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | руб 548 (RM29) | RM28 | + 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | руб 618 (RM33) | RM34 | - 4% | |
Clothes | + 19% | |||
Clothes in Russia is 19% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | руб 6,816 (RM365) | RM246 | + 48% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | руб 3,176 (RM170) | RM150 | + 14% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,907 (RM423) | RM402 | + 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | руб 6,921 (RM371) | RM475 | - 22% | |
Transportation | + 17% | |||
Transportation in Russia is 17% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | руб 2,485,230 (RM133,073) | RM153,476 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | руб 57 (RM3.06) | RM2.41 | + 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | руб 2,259 (RM121) | RM75 | + 61% | |
Personal Care | - 25% | |||
Personal Care in Russia is 25% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | руб 270 (RM14) | RM16 | - 11% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | руб 515 (RM28) | RM34 | - 18% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | руб 1,977 (RM106) | RM94 | + 13% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | руб 320 (RM17) | RM26 | - 34% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | руб 187 (RM10) | RM17 | - 41% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | руб 172 (RM9) | RM16 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | руб 123 (RM7) | RM8 | - 20% | |
Tube of toothpaste | руб 132 (RM7) | RM14 | - 49% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | руб 589 (RM32) | RM30 | + 7% | |
Entertainment | + 7% | |||
Entertainment in Russia is 7% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
Russia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | руб 1,593 (RM85) | RM85 | + 1% | |
2 tickets to the movies | руб 680 (RM36) | RM38 | - 4% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | руб 6,005 (RM322) | RM360 | - 11% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | руб 3,237 (RM173) | RM190 | - 9% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | руб 473 (RM25) | RM44 | - 42% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | руб 177 (RM9) | RM17 | - 45% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | руб 236 (RM13) | RM28 | - 56% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | руб 50,539 (RM2,706) | RM2,135 | + 27% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | руб 23 (RM1.22) | RM0.50 | + 144% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | руб 3,349 (RM179) | RM214 | - 16% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | руб 197 (RM11) | RM18 | - 43% | |
TOTAL | + 7% |

These prices were last updated on July 09, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05355
MYR
/
RUB
Cost of living in Russia is 7% more expensive than in Malaysia
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