Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 60% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM20 ($4.31) | $19 | - 77% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 ($3.78) | $10 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 ($2.06) | $5.79 | - 64% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.60) | $1.09 | + 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 ($1.98) | $4.95 | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 ($1.71) | $4.69 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 ($4.66) | $7 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 ($2.37) | $4.66 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.89 ($1.06) | $2.49 | - 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 ($2.82) | $3.15 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM33 ($7) | $16 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.54 ($0.98) | $2.77 | - 65% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.31 ($0.72) | $2.99 | - 76% | |
| Housing | - 72% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 72% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,173 ($688) | $2,830 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,823 ($395) | $2,146 | - 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM255 ($55) | $220 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,078 ($450) | $1,881 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,297 ($281) | $1,439 | - 80% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM973 ($211) | $145 | + 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM75 ($16) | $64 | - 75% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,119 ($459) | $299 | + 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM674 ($146) | $135 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 ($5.37) | $13 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 ($8) | $32 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | - 27% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM243 ($53) | $54 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM85 ($18) | $45 | - 59% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM407 ($88) | $93 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM877 ($190) | $119 | + 60% | |
| Transportation | - 59% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM159,544 ($34,578) | $27,884 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.08 ($0.45) | $1.05 | - 57% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM50 ($11) | $79 | - 86% | |
| Personal Care | - 64% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 ($2.02) | $8 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM17 ($3.75) | $20 | - 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM77 ($17) | $139 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 ($10) | $8 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 ($2.30) | $4.82 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 ($3.02) | $6 | - 52% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 ($4.41) | $4.77 | - 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 ($1.50) | $2.25 | - 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM27 ($5.87) | $27 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM127 ($28) | $55 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM44 ($10) | $28 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM211 ($46) | $195 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM186 ($40) | $90 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM46 ($10) | $14 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM18 ($3.85) | $5.20 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM24 ($5.22) | $6 | - 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 ($465) | $552 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 ($0.05) | $0.21 | - 75% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM222 ($48) | $54 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 ($3.98) | $10 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 61% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 10, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.21673
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,182 prices entered by 2,893 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 61% cheaper than in United States
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