Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 56% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (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 425 prices entered by 100 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 56% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM18 ($3.88) | $21 | - 81% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM18 ($3.94) | $9 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 ($2.00) | $4.86 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 ($1.67) | $1.00 | + 68% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM10 ($2.11) | $4.25 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 ($1.30) | $3.36 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 ($5.84) | $7 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 ($2.51) | $4.25 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.58 ($0.98) | $1.98 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 ($2.57) | $3.05 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM66 ($14) | $12 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.65 ($1.00) | $2.25 | - 56% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.71 ($0.79) | $2.97 | - 73% | |
| Housing | - 61% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 61% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,311 ($923) | $2,249 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,413 ($517) | $1,284 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM305 ($65) | $225 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,305 ($494) | $1,298 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,383 ($296) | $891 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM243 ($52) | $141 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM112 ($24) | $51 | - 53% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,817 ($389) | $264 | + 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM511 ($109) | $184 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM29 ($6) | $20 | - 68% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 ($7) | $29 | - 74% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 25% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM223 ($48) | $53 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM139 ($30) | $36 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM327 ($70) | $128 | - 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM388 ($83) | $139 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM151,617 ($32,473) | $29,672 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.07 ($0.44) | $0.96 | - 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM53 ($11) | $45 | - 75% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM40 ($9) | $14 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 65% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 ($3.48) | $10 | - 66% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM24 ($5.16) | $16 | - 68% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM77 ($16) | $106 | - 84% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 ($4.41) | $8 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.22) | $4.80 | - 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM13 ($2.83) | $5.56 | - 49% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 ($1.60) | $3.65 | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 ($1.66) | $1.89 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM41 ($9) | $21 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 57% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 57% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM90 ($19) | $58 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM41 ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 ($43) | $146 | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM130 ($28) | $103 | - 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM37 ($8) | $15 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM17 ($3.62) | $6 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 ($4.21) | $6 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,985 ($425) | $410 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.35 ($0.08) | $0.33 | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM203 ($43) | $35 | + 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 ($3.79) | $9 | - 59% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 56% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 425 prices entered by 100 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.21418
USD
/
MYR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $6,200 in Detroit, Michigan you would need to make just about $2,745 (RM12,819) in Kuala Lumpur.
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