Cost of living in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 40% 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 4,084 prices entered by 485 different people.

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Currency:
Food | + 63% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 63% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ARS $4,991 (RM96) | RM18 | + 438% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ARS $2,384 (RM46) | RM19 | + 146% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ARS $828 (RM16) | RM11 | + 46% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ARS $305 (RM5.86) | RM8 | - 24% | |
12 eggs, large | ARS $916 (RM18) | RM13 | + 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ARS $659 (RM13) | RM8 | + 55% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ARS $1,286 (RM25) | RM26 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ARS $751 (RM14) | RM8 | + 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ARS $273 (RM5.25) | RM6 | - 17% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ARS $427 (RM8) | RM11 | - 28% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ARS $1,700 (RM33) | RM109 | - 70% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ARS $563 (RM11) | RM4.55 | + 138% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ARS $232 (RM4.47) | RM3.18 | + 40% | |
Housing | + 50% | |||
Housing in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 50% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ARS $204,338 (RM3,933) | RM2,505 | + 57% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ARS $121,936 (RM2,347) | RM1,780 | + 32% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ARS $14,073 (RM271) | RM197 | + 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ARS $162,944 (RM3,136) | RM1,411 | + 122% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ARS $101,346 (RM1,951) | RM902 | + 116% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ARS $6,895 (RM133) | RM196 | - 32% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ARS $5,179 (RM100) | RM125 | - 20% | |
40” flat screen tv | ARS $111,722 (RM2,151) | RM1,828 | + 18% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ARS $53,544 (RM1,031) | RM623 | + 65% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ARS $2,806 (RM54) | RM29 | + 84% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ARS $1,462 (RM28) | RM16 | + 80% | |
Clothes | + 81% | |||
Clothes in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 81% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ARS $22,752 (RM438) | RM291 | + 51% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ARS $11,702 (RM225) | RM139 | + 62% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ARS $41,173 (RM793) | RM294 | + 169% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ARS $43,193 (RM831) | RM319 | + 161% | |
Transportation | - 20% | |||
Transportation in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 20% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ARS $7,945,470 (RM152,940) | RM157,853 | - 3% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ARS $228 (RM4.39) | RM2.52 | + 75% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ARS $2,426 (RM47) | RM117 | - 60% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ARS $2,102 (RM40) | RM44 | - 8% | |
Personal Care | + 91% | |||
Personal Care in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 91% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ARS $1,147 (RM22) | RM12 | + 86% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ARS $1,822 (RM35) | RM20 | + 78% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ARS $5,255 (RM101) | RM79 | + 28% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ARS $1,202 (RM23) | RM34 | - 31% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ARS $1,109 (RM21) | RM7 | + 199% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ARS $1,182 (RM23) | RM12 | + 87% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ARS $663 (RM13) | RM5.06 | + 152% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ARS $753 (RM14) | RM7 | + 103% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ARS $2,120 (RM41) | RM39 | + 4% | |
Entertainment | + 99% | |||
Entertainment in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 99% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Buenos Aires | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ARS $6,943 (RM134) | RM61 | + 119% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ARS $3,453 (RM66) | RM26 | + 152% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ARS $12,205 (RM235) | RM70 | + 236% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ARS $7,494 (RM144) | RM114 | + 27% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ARS $1,919 (RM37) | RM26 | + 40% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ARS $1,016 (RM20) | RM12 | + 58% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ARS $909 (RM18) | RM16 | + 12% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ARS $334,200 (RM6,433) | RM1,762 | + 265% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ARS $45 (RM0.87) | RM0.27 | + 217% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ARS $9,605 (RM185) | RM180 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ARS $982 (RM19) | RM17 | + 14% | |
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TOTAL | + 40% |

These prices were last updated on June 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01925
MYR
/
ARS
*
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For example, you would need at least RM11,082 (ARS $575,746) in Buenos Aires to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,900 in Kota Kinabalu.
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