Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 6% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
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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 488 prices entered by 61 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 12% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM23 | RM21 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 | RM20 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM12 | RM13 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 | RM8 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 | RM7 | + 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM7 | RM4.81 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM28 | RM18 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM15 | RM12 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.64 | RM4.21 | + 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 | RM11 | + 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM73 | RM87 | - 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 | RM4.73 | + 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.59 | RM4.20 | + 9% | |
| Housing | + 14% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 14% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,466 | RM3,165 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,259 | RM1,897 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM237 | RM323 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,681 | RM1,535 | + 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,593 | RM955 | + 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM166 | RM218 | - 24% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 | RM112 | - 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,390 | RM1,579 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM386 | RM480 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 | RM20 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 | RM41 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 8% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 | RM217 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM153 | RM171 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM468 | RM333 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM466 | RM384 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM150,590 | RM143,076 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.48 | RM2.11 | + 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM108 | RM128 | - 16% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM36 | RM16 | + 122% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 5% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 | RM16 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM26 | RM27 | - 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM88 | RM106 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 | RM22 | + 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 | RM10 | + 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 | RM14 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 | RM8 | - 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM10 | RM8 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 | RM29 | + 10% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM98 | RM134 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM40 | RM53 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 | RM175 | + 18% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM194 | RM261 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM38 | RM58 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 | RM15 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 | RM21 | + 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,159 | RM2,126 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.46 | RM0.27 | + 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM247 | RM146 | + 69% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 | RM17 | + 3% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 6% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 488 prices entered by 61 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least RM10,042 in Kuala Lumpur to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,500 in Johor Bahru.
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