Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 40% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 186 prices entered by 58 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 51% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 ($3.63) | $16 | - 77% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 ($3.91) | $9 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 ($2.03) | $6 | - 67% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.51) | $1.20 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 ($2.11) | $5.05 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 ($1.46) | $6 | - 77% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM26 ($5.87) | $8 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 ($2.39) | $3.25 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.79 ($1.08) | $1.48 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 ($2.61) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM81 ($18) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.12 ($1.16) | - | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.52 ($0.80) | - | - | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 40% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,635 ($822) | $1,589 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,360 ($534) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM288 ($65) | $212 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,080 ($471) | $1,328 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,473 ($333) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM243 ($55) | - | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 ($23) | $53 | - 56% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,953 ($442) | - | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM393 ($89) | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM22 ($4.96) | - | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM31 ($7) | - | - | |
| Clothes | - 67% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 67% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM208 ($47) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM111 ($25) | $158 | - 84% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM292 ($66) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM239 ($54) | - | - | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 8% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM167,242 ($37,834) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.05 ($0.46) | $1.00 | - 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM93 ($21) | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM29 ($6) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM18 ($4.01) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM25 ($5.65) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM69 ($16) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 ($4.65) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.34) | - | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM13 ($2.98) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 ($1.69) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 ($1.76) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM43 ($10) | - | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM84 ($19) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 ($9) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 ($46) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM93 ($21) | - | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM37 ($8) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.06) | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 ($4.27) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,985 ($449) | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 ($0.05) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM169 ($38) | - | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 ($3.98) | - | - | |
 |
TOTAL | - 40% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 186 prices entered by 58 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.22622
USD
/
MYR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,800 in Arcata, California you would need to make just about $2,875 (RM12,707) in Kuala Lumpur.
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