- Cost of Living
- Malaysia
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 ($4.19) | $14 | - 70% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM14 ($3.62) | $7 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 ($1.94) | $4.60 | - 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.81) | $0.91 | + 100% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 ($1.72) | $3.23 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.55 ($1.14) | $4.03 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM24 ($5.91) | $6 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 ($2.44) | $3.39 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.10 ($1.02) | $1.65 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM10 ($2.51) | $2.94 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM71 ($18) | $15 | + 21% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.10 ($1.03) | $1.94 | - 47% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.08 ($0.77) | $2.13 | - 64% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,987 ($747) | $2,029 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,695 ($424) | $1,557 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM223 ($56) | $174 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,139 ($535) | $1,569 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,193 ($298) | $1,107 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM194 ($48) | $120 | - 60% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM131 ($33) | $48 | - 32% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM1,687 ($422) | $346 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM484 ($121) | $122 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM21 ($5.30) | $11 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM24 ($5.99) | $23 | - 73% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM249 ($62) | $47 | + 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM150 ($38) | $45 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM296 ($74) | $85 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM309 ($77) | $118 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM142,714 ($35,669) | $22,034 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.23 ($0.56) | $0.72 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM141 ($35) | $87 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 ($3.90) | $7 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM24 ($5.94) | $18 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM65 ($16) | $110 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM22 ($5.44) | $7 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 ($2.81) | $3.54 | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 ($3.78) | $5.06 | - 25% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.20 ($1.30) | $3.39 | - 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.76 ($1.44) | $1.84 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM34 ($9) | $20 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM77 ($19) | $44 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM30 ($7) | $25 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM198 ($49) | $167 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM138 ($35) | $78 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM31 ($8) | $11 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 ($3.63) | $4.79 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 ($4.92) | $5.69 | - 14% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM2,019 ($505) | $429 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.38 ($0.10) | $0.28 | - 66% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM166 ($41) | $53 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.27) | $8 | - 47% | |
| TOTAL | - 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 24, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.24994
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 97,145 prices entered by 15,066 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 47% cheaper than in United States
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