Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM14 ($3.08) | $17 | - 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 ($3.85) | $9 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 ($1.80) | $5.11 | - 65% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.55) | $0.99 | + 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 ($2.08) | $3.32 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM5.82 ($1.33) | $4.43 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM23 ($5.24) | $7 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 ($2.42) | $3.93 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.40 ($1.00) | $1.92 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 ($2.77) | $3.31 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM76 ($17) | $16 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.04 ($1.15) | $2.26 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.45 ($0.79) | $2.48 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 71% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 71% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,964 ($675) | $2,516 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,132 ($486) | $1,959 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM242 ($55) | $201 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,877 ($428) | $1,781 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,177 ($268) | $1,347 | - 80% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM231 ($53) | $138 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM110 ($25) | $56 | - 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,231 ($508) | $300 | + 69% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM344 ($78) | $134 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM24 ($5.52) | $12 | - 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM21 ($4.86) | $27 | - 82% | |
| Clothes | - 32% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM217 ($49) | $51 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM132 ($30) | $46 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM279 ($64) | $93 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM245 ($56) | $121 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM157,268 ($35,841) | $25,483 | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.18 ($0.50) | $1.07 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM92 ($21) | $77 | - 73% | |
| Personal Care | - 66% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM15 ($3.53) | $7 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM20 ($4.56) | $19 | - 76% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM79 ($18) | $125 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 ($6.00) | $7 | - 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.23) | $4.15 | - 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12 ($2.69) | $5.50 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 ($1.70) | $4.18 | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM6 ($1.39) | $2.05 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM48 ($11) | $25 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malaysia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM143 ($33) | $49 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM34 ($8) | $27 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM206 ($47) | $189 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM100 ($23) | $84 | - 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM101 ($23) | $13 | + 79% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM12 ($2.76) | $5.19 | - 47% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM15 ($3.47) | $6 | - 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,097 ($478) | $490 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 ($0.05) | $0.17 | - 68% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM154 ($35) | $53 | - 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 ($4.03) | $9 | - 56% | |
| TOTAL | - 57% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 24, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.22790
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,561 prices entered by 2,667 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 57% cheaper than in United States
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