Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 150% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 150% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (RM86) | RM20 | + 330% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (RM46) | RM17 | + 164% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.79 (RM27) | RM10 | + 181% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (RM5.00) | RM7 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.96 (RM23) | RM9 | + 150% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.69 (RM22) | RM8 | + 175% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (RM32) | RM21 | + 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.66 (RM21) | RM11 | + 97% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.49 (RM11) | RM4.89 | + 135% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.11 (RM14) | RM13 | + 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (RM73) | RM33 | + 122% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.78 (RM13) | RM4.54 | + 182% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.99 (RM14) | RM3.31 | + 317% | |
| Housing | + 262% | |||
| Housing in United States is 262% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,827 (RM13,039) | RM3,173 | + 311% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,145 (RM9,893) | RM1,823 | + 443% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $220 (RM1,014) | RM255 | + 298% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,885 (RM8,695) | RM2,078 | + 318% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,443 (RM6,656) | RM1,297 | + 413% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $145 (RM669) | RM973 | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (RM294) | RM75 | + 292% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $297 (RM1,372) | RM2,119 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $135 (RM624) | RM674 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (RM62) | RM25 | + 151% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (RM146) | RM35 | + 312% | |
| Clothes | + 36% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 36% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (RM248) | RM243 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (RM208) | RM85 | + 145% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (RM431) | RM407 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (RM548) | RM877 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | + 144% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 144% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,876 (RM128,578) | RM159,544 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (RM4.84) | RM2.08 | + 132% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (RM365) | RM50 | + 631% | |
| Personal Care | + 174% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 174% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (RM39) | RM9 | + 315% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (RM92) | RM17 | + 432% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (RM639) | RM77 | + 735% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (RM39) | RM44 | - 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.82 (RM22) | RM11 | + 109% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (RM29) | RM14 | + 107% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.77 (RM22) | RM20 | + 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.25 (RM10) | RM7 | + 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (RM125) | RM29 | + 331% | |
| Entertainment | + 86% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 86% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $55 (RM255) | RM127 | + 100% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (RM128) | RM44 | + 188% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $195 (RM900) | RM211 | + 326% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $90 (RM415) | RM186 | + 123% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (RM63) | RM46 | + 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.20 (RM24) | RM18 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (RM29) | RM24 | + 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $552 (RM2,547) | RM2,145 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (RM0.97) | RM0.24 | + 307% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (RM250) | RM222 | + 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (RM46) | RM18 | + 151% | |
| TOTAL | + 160% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.612
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,210 prices entered by 2,893 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 160% more expensive than in Malaysia
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