- 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 | RM16 ($3.93) | $14 | - 72% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM14 ($3.49) | $8 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 ($1.69) | $4.52 | - 63% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.63) | $0.89 | + 83% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 ($1.69) | $3.19 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.48 ($1.09) | $3.98 | - 73% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 ($5.34) | $6 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM9 ($2.27) | $3.33 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.04 ($0.98) | $1.61 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 ($2.59) | $3.64 | - 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM76 ($19) | $15 | + 25% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM3.96 ($0.96) | $1.92 | - 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.11 ($0.76) | $2.13 | - 64% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM3,055 ($743) | $2,046 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,676 ($408) | $1,575 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM220 ($53) | $177 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM1,871 ($455) | $1,585 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,202 ($292) | $1,128 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM172 ($42) | $119 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM124 ($30) | $48 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM1,588 ($386) | $328 | + 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM425 ($103) | $120 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM19 ($4.50) | $11 | - 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM24 ($5.81) | $23 | - 74% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM237 ($58) | $47 | + 22% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM148 ($36) | $45 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM272 ($66) | $86 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM301 ($73) | $115 | - 36% | |
| 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 | RM137,472 ($33,428) | $22,354 | + 50% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.25 ($0.55) | $0.78 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM130 ($32) | $85 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM18 ($4.32) | $7 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM31 ($7) | $18 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM63 ($15) | $111 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM22 ($5.31) | $7 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.36) | $3.48 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 ($3.37) | $5.13 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.81 ($1.41) | $3.47 | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.45 ($1.33) | $1.87 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 ($8) | $21 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM77 ($19) | $45 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM32 ($8) | $25 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM225 ($55) | $174 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM146 ($35) | $79 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM31 ($8) | $12 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 ($3.56) | $4.89 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM17 ($4.14) | $5.95 | - 30% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM1,836 ($447) | $422 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.59 ($0.14) | $0.36 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM153 ($37) | $53 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.21) | $8 | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.24316
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 92,156 prices entered by 13,121 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in United States
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