- Cost of Living
- Malaysia
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 ($3.99) | $14 | - 72% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM15 ($3.52) | $8 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 ($1.78) | $4.59 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.71) | $0.90 | + 91% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 ($1.74) | $3.22 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.56 ($1.10) | $3.98 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM23 ($5.49) | $6 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 ($2.33) | $3.38 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.16 ($1.00) | $1.63 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 ($2.57) | $3.14 | - 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM70 ($17) | $15 | + 15% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.13 ($1.00) | $1.93 | - 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.29 ($0.80) | $2.14 | - 63% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,820 ($680) | $2,029 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,621 ($391) | $1,561 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM224 ($54) | $177 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,008 ($485) | $1,572 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,222 ($295) | $1,121 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM196 ($47) | $123 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM127 ($31) | $48 | - 36% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM1,583 ($382) | $336 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM467 ($113) | $121 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 ($4.81) | $11 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM21 ($5.12) | $23 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM256 ($62) | $48 | + 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM144 ($35) | $45 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM273 ($66) | $85 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM299 ($72) | $114 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM135,714 ($32,753) | $22,127 | + 48% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.26 ($0.55) | $0.75 | - 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM136 ($33) | $85 | - 61% | |
| 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) | RM16 ($3.88) | $7 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM25 ($6) | $19 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM65 ($16) | $113 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM22 ($5.32) | $7 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 ($2.67) | $3.48 | - 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 ($3.62) | $5.08 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.10 ($1.23) | $3.43 | - 64% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.50 ($1.33) | $1.84 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM34 ($8) | $21 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM72 ($17) | $44 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM30 ($7) | $25 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM240 ($58) | $168 | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM128 ($31) | $79 | - 61% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM32 ($8) | $11 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.47) | $4.85 | - 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 ($4.73) | $5.80 | - 18% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM1,949 ($470) | $429 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.33 ($0.08) | $0.31 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM158 ($38) | $53 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.11) | $8 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 19, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.24134
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 95,949 prices entered by 14,659 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 51% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 34% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 29% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 62% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 11% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States