Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Mexico
Currency:
Food | - 17% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malaysia is 17% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (Mex$ 115) | Mex$ 315 | - 64% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM22 (Mex$ 97) | Mex$ 178 | - 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (Mex$ 45) | Mex$ 73 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 29 | + 35% | |
12 eggs, large | RM12 (Mex$ 56) | Mex$ 49 | + 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 33 | - 18% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (Mex$ 119) | Mex$ 89 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM14 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 46 | + 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.71 (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 33 | - 23% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM14 (Mex$ 64) | Mex$ 30 | + 115% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM108 (Mex$ 486) | Mex$ 266 | + 82% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 40 | - 30% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.82 (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 28 | - 22% | |
Housing | - 27% | |||
Housing in Malaysia is 27% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,099 (Mex$ 13,897) | Mex$ 23,678 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,092 (Mex$ 9,380) | Mex$ 12,603 | - 26% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM321 (Mex$ 1,440) | Mex$ 1,288 | + 12% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,126 (Mex$ 9,536) | Mex$ 14,767 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,265 (Mex$ 5,672) | Mex$ 7,577 | - 25% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM153 (Mex$ 685) | Mex$ 733 | - 7% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM91 (Mex$ 409) | Mex$ 414 | - 1% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM1,408 (Mex$ 6,314) | Mex$ 6,041 | + 5% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM418 (Mex$ 1,875) | Mex$ 2,221 | - 16% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM23 (Mex$ 103) | Mex$ 141 | - 27% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM34 (Mex$ 154) | Mex$ 137 | + 12% | |
Clothes | + 8% | |||
Clothes in Malaysia is 8% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM246 (Mex$ 1,104) | Mex$ 960 | + 15% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM150 (Mex$ 671) | Mex$ 762 | - 12% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM472 (Mex$ 2,117) | Mex$ 1,692 | + 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM475 (Mex$ 2,132) | Mex$ 1,378 | + 55% | |
Transportation | - 8% | |||
Transportation in Malaysia is 8% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,476 (Mex$ 688,232) | Mex$ 378,169 | + 82% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.40 (Mex$ 11) | Mex$ 24 | - 55% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM107 (Mex$ 478) | Mex$ 650 | - 27% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Malaysia is 23% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (Mex$ 73) | Mex$ 104 | - 30% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM34 (Mex$ 151) | Mex$ 269 | - 44% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM89 (Mex$ 400) | Mex$ 665 | - 40% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (Mex$ 116) | Mex$ 90 | + 29% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (Mex$ 64) | Mex$ 66 | - 4% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (Mex$ 66) | Mex$ 82 | - 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (Mex$ 37) | Mex$ 40 | - 8% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM14 (Mex$ 62) | Mex$ 41 | + 50% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (Mex$ 148) | Mex$ 293 | - 49% | |
Entertainment | + 1% | |||
Entertainment in Malaysia is about the same as in Mexico | ||||
Malaysia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM94 (Mex$ 419) | Mex$ 374 | + 12% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (Mex$ 170) | Mex$ 173 | - 2% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM360 (Mex$ 1,612) | Mex$ 1,081 | + 49% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM201 (Mex$ 899) | Mex$ 825 | + 9% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM44 (Mex$ 196) | Mex$ 182 | + 8% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 96 | - 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM25 (Mex$ 111) | Mex$ 58 | + 93% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,135 (Mex$ 9,575) | Mex$ 10,806 | - 11% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.50 (Mex$ 2.24) | Mex$ 3.38 | - 34% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM240 (Mex$ 1,077) | Mex$ 901 | + 20% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Mex$ 82) | Mex$ 82 | - 0% | |
TOTAL | - 13% |

These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.484
MXN
/
MYR
Cost of living in Malaysia is 13% cheaper than in Mexico
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