Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 105% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 355 prices entered by 37 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 35% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 33 (RM41) | RM18 | + 130% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (RM38) | RM19 | + 105% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (RM18) | RM11 | + 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (RM8) | RM8 | + 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (RM17) | RM13 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.31 (RM7) | RM8 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 15 (RM19) | RM26 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM8 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.77 (RM4.69) | RM6 | - 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (RM12) | RM11 | + 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 60 (RM75) | RM109 | - 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM4.55 | + 121% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.72 (RM5.88) | RM3.18 | + 85% | |
| Housing | + 342% | |||
| Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 342% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,437 (RM13,007) | RM2,505 | + 419% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,961 (RM9,922) | RM1,780 | + 457% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 870 (RM1,084) | RM197 | + 450% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,069 (RM7,564) | RM1,411 | + 436% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,310 (RM5,372) | RM902 | + 496% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 558 (RM696) | RM196 | + 256% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 360 (RM448) | RM125 | + 259% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,533 (RM1,911) | RM1,828 | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 338 (RM422) | RM623 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 50 (RM63) | RM29 | + 114% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (RM42) | RM16 | + 166% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 42% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 197 (RM245) | RM291 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 194 (RM242) | RM139 | + 74% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 343 (RM428) | RM294 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 348 (RM434) | RM319 | + 36% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 12% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 89,840 (RM111,967) | RM157,853 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.82 (RM4.76) | RM2.52 | + 89% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 80 (RM100) | RM117 | - 15% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 29 (RM36) | RM44 | - 17% | |
| Personal Care | + 247% | |||
| Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 247% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 14 (RM17) | RM12 | + 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 56 (RM69) | RM20 | + 251% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 382 (RM476) | RM79 | + 503% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (RM33) | RM34 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 20 (RM25) | RM7 | + 252% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 27 (RM34) | RM12 | + 182% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 20 (RM24) | RM5.06 | + 380% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 20 (RM25) | RM7 | + 252% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 62 (RM77) | RM39 | + 96% | |
| Entertainment | + 174% | |||
| Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 174% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 214 (RM267) | RM61 | + 337% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 91 (RM113) | RM26 | + 330% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 783 (RM976) | RM70 | + 1294% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 268 (RM334) | RM114 | + 193% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 69 (RM86) | RM26 | + 226% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 19 (RM24) | RM12 | + 95% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (RM50) | RM16 | + 221% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,128 (RM2,651) | RM1,762 | + 50% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (RM0.89) | RM0.27 | + 224% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 255 (RM318) | RM180 | + 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (RM27) | RM17 | + 64% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 105% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 355 prices entered by 37 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.246
MYR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least RM15,411 (Dirham 12,366) in Abu Dhabi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,500 in Kota Kinabalu.
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