Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM22 ($5.36) | $15 | - 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 ($3.99) | $8 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 ($2.06) | $4.25 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM6 ($1.55) | $0.88 | + 76% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 ($1.84) | $2.94 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.75 ($1.17) | $4.11 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM29 ($7) | $6 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM9 ($2.32) | $3.31 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM3.60 ($0.89) | $1.67 | - 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 ($2.74) | $3.31 | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM91 ($22) | $14 | + 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM3.74 ($0.92) | $1.99 | - 54% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.76 ($0.93) | $2.06 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,309 ($816) | $2,212 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,777 ($438) | $1,551 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM293 ($72) | $178 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,240 ($552) | $1,534 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,378 ($340) | $1,114 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM218 ($54) | $112 | - 52% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM94 ($23) | $50 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,546 ($381) | $271 | + 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM486 ($120) | $128 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM21 ($5.09) | $11 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM30 ($7) | $22 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM241 ($60) | $47 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM154 ($38) | $44 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM266 ($66) | $87 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM308 ($76) | $109 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM156,239 ($38,535) | $23,574 | + 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.04 ($0.50) | $0.64 | - 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM91 ($23) | $74 | - 70% | |
| Personal Care | - 58% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM15 ($3.62) | $7 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM16 ($3.95) | $16 | - 76% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM70 ($17) | $112 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 ($5.08) | $7 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 ($3.11) | $3.47 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 ($3.85) | $4.93 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.12 ($1.26) | $3.64 | - 65% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM9 ($2.10) | $1.82 | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM40 ($10) | $22 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM82 ($20) | $46 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM36 ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM258 ($64) | $206 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM196 ($48) | $80 | - 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM29 ($7) | $12 | - 41% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 ($3.71) | $5.05 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 ($4.95) | $5.84 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,920 ($474) | $421 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.42 ($0.10) | $0.51 | - 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM156 ($38) | $50 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.28) | $8 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 01, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.24664
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 32,714 prices entered by 4,298 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 68% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 49% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 7% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 63% cheaper than in United States