Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 82% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 82% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (RM62) | RM21 | + 204% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (RM34) | RM16 | + 108% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.24 (RM17) | RM8 | + 107% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (RM3.60) | RM7 | - 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.89 (RM12) | RM8 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.17 (RM17) | RM4.78 | + 259% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (RM25) | RM29 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.44 (RM14) | RM9 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.75 (RM7) | RM3.56 | + 103% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.10 (RM13) | RM11 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (RM58) | RM88 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.99 (RM8) | RM4.10 | + 100% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.19 (RM9) | RM3.22 | + 179% | |
| Housing | + 168% | |||
| Housing in United States is 168% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,209 (RM9,091) | RM3,319 | + 174% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,585 (RM6,521) | RM1,755 | + 272% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $179 (RM737) | RM288 | + 156% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,541 (RM6,339) | RM2,263 | + 180% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,148 (RM4,722) | RM1,385 | + 241% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $112 (RM463) | RM196 | + 136% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $52 (RM215) | RM98 | + 118% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $273 (RM1,123) | RM1,610 | - 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $126 (RM520) | RM488 | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (RM44) | RM21 | + 111% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (RM91) | RM31 | + 189% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 12% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (RM193) | RM227 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $42 (RM175) | RM152 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (RM353) | RM270 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $106 (RM436) | RM298 | + 46% | |
| Transportation | + 56% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 56% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,507 (RM96,732) | RM154,513 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.66 (RM2.71) | RM1.98 | + 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $74 (RM304) | RM87 | + 250% | |
| Personal Care | + 134% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 134% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM29) | RM15 | + 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (RM66) | RM16 | + 312% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (RM453) | RM73 | + 522% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $6 (RM27) | RM21 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.45 (RM14) | RM13 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.86 (RM20) | RM16 | + 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 (RM15) | RM5.12 | + 191% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.82 (RM7) | RM9 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (RM89) | RM45 | + 100% | |
| Entertainment | + 69% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 69% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $47 (RM192) | RM84 | + 127% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (RM104) | RM36 | + 190% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $202 (RM833) | RM258 | + 223% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (RM323) | RM196 | + 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (RM51) | RM32 | + 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.95 (RM20) | RM16 | + 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.69 (RM23) | RM20 | + 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $427 (RM1,756) | RM1,919 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.24 (RM1.01) | RM0.42 | + 139% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (RM203) | RM156 | + 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (RM34) | RM17 | + 97% | |
| TOTAL | + 94% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
4.115
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,006 prices entered by 4,304 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 94% more expensive than in Malaysia
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