Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 20% 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 578 prices entered by 62 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 10% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 52 lei (RM52) | RM18 | + 189% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 27 lei (RM27) | RM19 | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15 lei (RM15) | RM11 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (RM7) | RM8 | - 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15 lei (RM15) | RM13 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8 lei (RM8) | RM8 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 21 lei (RM21) | RM26 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5.02 lei (RM5.00) | RM8 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.55 lei (RM3.54) | RM6 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.38 lei (RM4.37) | RM11 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32 lei (RM32) | RM109 | - 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8 lei (RM8) | RM4.55 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 4.30 lei (RM4.28) | RM3.18 | + 35% | |
| Housing | + 36% | |||
| Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 36% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,951 lei (RM3,940) | RM2,505 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,467 lei (RM2,460) | RM1,780 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 588 lei (RM586) | RM197 | + 197% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,162 lei (RM2,155) | RM1,411 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,560 lei (RM1,555) | RM902 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 lei (RM349) | RM196 | + 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 lei (RM41) | RM125 | - 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,493 lei (RM1,489) | RM1,828 | - 19% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 437 lei (RM436) | RM623 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 49 lei (RM49) | RM29 | + 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 52 lei (RM52) | RM16 | + 232% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 29% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 333 lei (RM332) | RM291 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 192 lei (RM192) | RM139 | + 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 389 lei (RM388) | RM294 | + 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 422 lei (RM421) | RM319 | + 32% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 14% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 102,384 lei (RM102,091) | RM157,853 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (RM7) | RM2.52 | + 176% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 79 lei (RM79) | RM117 | - 32% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (RM26) | RM44 | - 42% | |
| Personal Care | + 106% | |||
| Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 106% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 29 lei (RM29) | RM12 | + 141% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 31 lei (RM31) | RM20 | + 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 251 lei (RM250) | RM79 | + 217% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 24 lei (RM24) | RM34 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 16 lei (RM16) | RM7 | + 128% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 24 lei (RM24) | RM12 | + 94% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9 lei (RM9) | RM5.06 | + 74% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 17 lei (RM17) | RM7 | + 132% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 60 lei (RM60) | RM39 | + 53% | |
| Entertainment | + 69% | |||
| Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 69% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 143 lei (RM143) | RM61 | + 134% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 70 lei (RM70) | RM26 | + 165% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 170 lei (RM170) | RM70 | + 143% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 213 lei (RM213) | RM114 | + 87% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 32 lei (RM32) | RM26 | + 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 13 lei (RM13) | RM12 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11 lei (RM11) | RM16 | - 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,004 lei (RM3,992) | RM1,762 | + 127% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.47 lei (RM0.47) | RM0.27 | + 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 210 lei (RM210) | RM180 | + 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 24 lei (RM24) | RM17 | + 42% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 20% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 578 prices entered by 62 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.997
MYR
/
RON
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For example, you would need at least RM9,602 (9,629 lei) in Bucharest to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,000 in Kota Kinabalu.
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