Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM21 ($4.93) | $14 | - 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM15 ($3.61) | $8 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 ($2.00) | $4.32 | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.60) | $0.87 | + 83% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 ($1.92) | $3.00 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.25 ($1.02) | $4.07 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 ($5.10) | $6 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 ($2.33) | $3.37 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.48 ($1.07) | $1.73 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 ($2.65) | $3.19 | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM80 ($19) | $15 | + 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.08 ($0.97) | $1.92 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.45 ($0.82) | $2.08 | - 60% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,392 ($810) | $2,234 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,812 ($433) | $1,604 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM226 ($54) | $178 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,054 ($490) | $1,611 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,291 ($308) | $1,141 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM163 ($39) | $117 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM106 ($25) | $48 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,366 ($326) | $301 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM435 ($104) | $121 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 ($4.73) | $11 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM28 ($7) | $22 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM259 ($62) | $49 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM152 ($36) | $44 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM301 ($72) | $87 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM383 ($92) | $114 | - 20% | |
| 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 | RM153,306 ($36,596) | $22,966 | + 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.29 ($0.55) | $0.77 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM104 ($25) | $80 | - 69% | |
| Personal Care | - 57% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM17 ($4.13) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM23 ($5.42) | $20 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM64 ($15) | $110 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM24 ($5.69) | $7 | - 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.45) | $3.51 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 ($3.90) | $5.03 | - 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 ($1.64) | $3.52 | - 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 ($1.87) | $1.83 | + 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM37 ($9) | $22 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM86 ($21) | $45 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM36 ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 ($48) | $220 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM180 ($43) | $75 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM34 ($8) | $12 | - 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM16 ($3.76) | $4.82 | - 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 ($5.56) | $5.82 | - 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,905 ($455) | $405 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.54 ($0.13) | $0.19 | - 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM169 ($40) | $54 | - 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.13) | $8 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.23871
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 52,725 prices entered by 6,706 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in United States
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