Cost of living in Thailand compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Thailand is 20% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 111 ฿ (RM15) | RM20 | - 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 215 ฿ (RM28) | RM17 | + 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 56 ฿ (RM7) | RM10 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 60 ฿ (RM8) | RM7 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 87 ฿ (RM11) | RM9 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 52 ฿ (RM7) | RM8 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 294 ฿ (RM39) | RM21 | + 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 99 ฿ (RM13) | RM11 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 54 ฿ (RM7) | RM4.89 | + 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 56 ฿ (RM7) | RM13 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 716 ฿ (RM94) | RM33 | + 185% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 42 ฿ (RM5.48) | RM4.54 | + 21% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 59 ฿ (RM8) | RM3.31 | + 135% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in Thailand is 44% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 63,174 ฿ (RM8,286) | RM3,173 | + 161% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 30,968 ฿ (RM4,062) | RM1,823 | + 123% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,119 ฿ (RM278) | RM255 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 22,219 ฿ (RM2,914) | RM2,078 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 10,371 ฿ (RM1,360) | RM1,297 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,600 ฿ (RM210) | RM973 | - 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 535 ฿ (RM70) | RM75 | - 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 10,707 ฿ (RM1,404) | RM2,119 | - 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,396 ฿ (RM314) | RM674 | - 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 206 ฿ (RM27) | RM25 | + 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 285 ฿ (RM37) | RM35 | + 6% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in Thailand is 16% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,983 ฿ (RM260) | RM243 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,259 ฿ (RM165) | RM85 | + 94% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,982 ฿ (RM391) | RM407 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,336 ฿ (RM438) | RM877 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | + 59% | |||
| Transportation in Thailand is 59% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,018,180 ฿ (RM133,551) | RM159,544 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 41 ฿ (RM5.32) | RM2.08 | + 155% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,292 ฿ (RM169) | RM50 | + 239% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Thailand is 6% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 64 ฿ (RM8) | RM9 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 158 ฿ (RM21) | RM17 | + 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 889 ฿ (RM117) | RM77 | + 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 151 ฿ (RM20) | RM44 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 106 ฿ (RM14) | RM11 | + 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 140 ฿ (RM18) | RM14 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 60 ฿ (RM8) | RM20 | - 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 71 ฿ (RM9) | RM7 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 221 ฿ (RM29) | RM29 | - 0% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Thailand is about the same as in Malaysia | ||||
| Thailand | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 730 ฿ (RM96) | RM127 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 538 ฿ (RM71) | RM44 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,508 ฿ (RM329) | RM211 | + 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,060 ฿ (RM139) | RM186 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 275 ฿ (RM36) | RM46 | - 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 81 ฿ (RM11) | RM18 | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 83 ฿ (RM11) | RM24 | - 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 29,575 ฿ (RM3,879) | RM2,145 | + 81% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.57 ฿ (RM0.21) | RM0.24 | - 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,942 ฿ (RM255) | RM222 | + 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 151 ฿ (RM20) | RM18 | + 8% | |
| TOTAL | + 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.13117
MYR
/
THB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,031 prices entered by 178 different people.
Cost of living in Thailand is 31% more expensive than in Malaysia
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