Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 24% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (RM55) | RM26 | + 114% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (RM41) | RM22 | + 88% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (RM21) | RM10 | + 108% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (RM8) | RM9 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (RM15) | RM12 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (RM7) | RM6 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (RM22) | RM27 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (RM10) | RM14 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.47 (RM5.28) | RM5.71 | - 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (RM11) | RM14 | - 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (RM70) | RM108 | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (RM9) | RM6 | + 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (RM5.98) | RM4.82 | + 24% | |
| Housing | + 330% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 330% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (RM16,803) | RM3,099 | + 442% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (RM10,805) | RM2,092 | + 417% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (RM905) | RM321 | + 182% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (RM9,494) | RM2,126 | + 346% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (RM6,214) | RM1,265 | + 391% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (RM685) | RM153 | + 349% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (RM391) | RM91 | + 329% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (RM958) | RM1,408 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (RM404) | RM418 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (RM39) | RM23 | + 68% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (RM34) | RM34 | - 1% | |
| Clothes | + 39% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 39% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (RM311) | RM246 | + 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (RM269) | RM150 | + 80% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (RM481) | RM472 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (RM495) | RM475 | + 4% | |
| Transportation | + 77% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 77% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (RM113,574) | RM153,476 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (RM3.40) | RM2.40 | + 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (RM319) | RM107 | + 200% | |
| Personal Care | + 121% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 121% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM16 | + 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (RM117) | RM34 | + 248% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (RM371) | RM89 | + 317% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (RM24) | RM26 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (RM25) | RM14 | + 79% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM15 | + 76% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (RM13) | RM8 | + 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (RM19) | RM14 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (RM48) | RM33 | + 47% | |
| Entertainment | + 90% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 90% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (RM211) | RM94 | + 126% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (RM113) | RM38 | + 200% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (RM572) | RM360 | + 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (RM335) | RM201 | + 67% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (RM92) | RM44 | + 110% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM15 | + 70% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (RM53) | RM25 | + 115% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (RM2,027) | RM2,135 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (RM1.42) | RM0.50 | + 185% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (RM380) | RM240 | + 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (RM25) | RM18 | + 43% | |
| TOTAL | + 122% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,502 prices entered by 241 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.181
MYR
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 122% more expensive than in Malaysia
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