- Cost of Living
- Malaysia
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 ($3.79) | $14 | - 73% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM14 ($3.37) | $8 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 ($1.66) | $4.57 | - 64% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.67) | $0.89 | + 87% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 ($1.72) | $3.18 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.42 ($1.05) | $4.03 | - 74% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 ($4.96) | $6 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM9 ($2.24) | $3.34 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.15 ($0.99) | $1.59 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM10 ($2.49) | $3.35 | - 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM74 ($18) | $15 | + 19% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.05 ($0.97) | $1.92 | - 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.17 ($0.75) | $2.13 | - 65% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,973 ($708) | $2,039 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,687 ($402) | $1,572 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM221 ($53) | $177 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,125 ($506) | $1,574 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,259 ($300) | $1,125 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM211 ($50) | $122 | - 59% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM126 ($30) | $48 | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM1,560 ($372) | $334 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM443 ($106) | $118 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM19 ($4.55) | $11 | - 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM24 ($5.65) | $22 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 19% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM248 ($59) | $47 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM143 ($34) | $45 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM272 ($65) | $85 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM290 ($69) | $115 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM137,416 ($32,747) | $22,270 | + 47% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.25 ($0.54) | $0.77 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM132 ($31) | $85 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 64% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM17 ($4.06) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM29 ($7) | $19 | - 64% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM62 ($15) | $111 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM20 ($4.74) | $7 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 ($2.62) | $3.51 | - 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 ($3.45) | $5.08 | - 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.42 ($1.29) | $3.44 | - 63% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.40 ($1.29) | $1.86 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 ($8) | $20 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM75 ($18) | $44 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM31 ($7) | $25 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM219 ($52) | $172 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM136 ($32) | $79 | - 59% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM32 ($8) | $12 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.41) | $4.86 | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM18 ($4.32) | $5.86 | - 26% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM1,893 ($451) | $429 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.42 ($0.10) | $0.32 | - 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM154 ($37) | $54 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.09) | $8 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 14, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.23831
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 95,866 prices entered by 14,103 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 51% cheaper than in United States
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