Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 9% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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Currency:
Food | - 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 10% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 44 lei (RM41) | RM21 | + 97% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 32 lei (RM29) | RM19 | + 58% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (RM15) | RM11 | + 41% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 8 lei (RM7) | RM8 | - 12% | |
12 eggs, large | 14 lei (RM13) | RM12 | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (RM10) | RM8 | + 24% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 19 lei (RM18) | RM28 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.63 lei (RM4.29) | RM9 | - 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4.16 lei (RM3.86) | RM5.23 | - 26% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.99 lei (RM4.63) | RM11 | - 58% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32 lei (RM30) | RM147 | - 80% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 9 lei (RM9) | RM4.89 | + 80% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.80 lei (RM2.60) | RM3.59 | - 28% | |
Housing | + 25% | |||
Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 25% 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 | 4,469 lei (RM4,140) | RM2,760 | + 50% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,621 lei (RM2,429) | RM1,631 | + 49% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 580 lei (RM537) | RM257 | + 109% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,772 lei (RM2,569) | RM1,723 | + 49% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,799 lei (RM1,667) | RM1,046 | + 59% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 364 lei (RM337) | RM164 | + 106% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 36 lei (RM34) | RM115 | - 71% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,185 lei (RM1,098) | RM1,737 | - 37% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 594 lei (RM550) | RM584 | - 6% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 49 lei (RM46) | RM30 | + 53% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 44 lei (RM41) | RM25 | + 63% | |
Clothes | + 15% | |||
Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 15% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 341 lei (RM316) | RM295 | + 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 160 lei (RM148) | RM114 | + 30% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 390 lei (RM361) | RM289 | + 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 336 lei (RM311) | RM331 | - 6% | |
Transportation | - 18% | |||
Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 18% 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 | 107,460 lei (RM99,567) | RM160,078 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (RM7) | RM2.39 | + 178% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 84 lei (RM78) | RM117 | - 34% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (RM24) | RM47 | - 50% | |
Personal Care | + 87% | |||
Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 87% 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) | 26 lei (RM24) | RM14 | + 70% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 29 lei (RM27) | RM22 | + 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 246 lei (RM228) | RM78 | + 194% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 22 lei (RM21) | RM34 | - 39% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 20 lei (RM19) | RM7 | + 164% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 24 lei (RM22) | RM12 | + 81% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (RM7) | RM5.06 | + 39% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 15 lei (RM13) | RM7 | + 89% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 60 lei (RM56) | RM39 | + 42% | |
Entertainment | + 65% | |||
Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 65% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bucharest | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 139 lei (RM129) | RM46 | + 177% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 65 lei (RM60) | RM26 | + 134% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 161 lei (RM150) | RM70 | + 114% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 240 lei (RM223) | RM114 | + 96% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 35 lei (RM32) | RM26 | + 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 14 lei (RM13) | RM12 | + 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11 lei (RM10) | RM16 | - 34% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,149 lei (RM3,844) | RM1,865 | + 106% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.47 lei (RM0.44) | RM0.27 | + 59% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 196 lei (RM181) | RM180 | + 1% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (RM25) | RM17 | + 53% | |
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TOTAL | + 9% |

These prices were last updated on February 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.927
MYR
/
RON
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For example, you would need at least RM9,937 (10,724 lei) in Bucharest to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,100 in Kota Kinabalu.
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