Cost of living in Cairns (Australia) is 88% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Kota Kinabalu or in Cairns? You can help!
Improve the prices for Kota Kinabalu! Improve the prices for Cairns!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 79 prices entered by 8 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cairns (Australia) is 38% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$17 (RM49) | RM21 | + 134% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$12 (RM34) | RM19 | + 81% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.37 (RM15) | RM11 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.51 (RM4.20) | RM8 | - 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 (RM18) | RM12 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$8 (RM21) | RM8 | + 176% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 (RM22) | RM28 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.49 (RM12) | RM9 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.37 (RM9) | RM5.23 | + 79% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.22 (RM15) | RM11 | + 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 (RM56) | RM147 | - 62% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.51 (RM10) | RM4.89 | + 99% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.53 (RM7) | RM3.59 | + 96% | |
| Housing | + 141% | |||
| Housing in Cairns (Australia) is 141% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,816 (RM7,839) | RM2,760 | + 184% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,690 (RM4,706) | RM1,631 | + 189% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$208 (RM578) | RM257 | + 125% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,721 (RM4,792) | RM1,723 | + 178% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,079 (RM3,003) | RM1,046 | + 187% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$180 (RM502) | RM164 | + 206% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$63 (RM177) | RM115 | + 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$725 (RM2,019) | RM1,737 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$215 (RM600) | RM584 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 (RM30) | RM30 | + 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$30 (RM83) | RM25 | + 230% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in Cairns (Australia) is 6% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$93 (RM258) | RM295 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$52 (RM146) | RM114 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$131 (RM364) | RM289 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$111 (RM309) | RM331 | - 6% | |
| Transportation | + 65% | |||
| Transportation in Cairns (Australia) is 65% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$30,626 (RM85,269) | RM160,078 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.77 (RM4.93) | RM2.39 | + 106% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$108 (RM300) | RM117 | + 156% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$27 (RM77) | RM47 | + 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 81% | |||
| Personal Care in Cairns (Australia) is 81% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$7 (RM18) | RM14 | + 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 (RM51) | RM22 | + 134% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$70 (RM194) | RM78 | + 150% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 (RM22) | RM34 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.16 (RM14) | RM7 | + 101% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.53 (RM15) | RM12 | + 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$2.93 (RM8) | RM5.06 | + 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$4.17 (RM12) | RM7 | + 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$29 (RM80) | RM39 | + 105% | |
| Entertainment | + 199% | |||
| Entertainment in Cairns (Australia) is 199% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$59 (RM163) | RM46 | + 251% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$36 (RM99) | RM26 | + 288% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$114 (RM318) | RM70 | + 354% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$116 (RM323) | RM114 | + 184% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$17 (RM46) | RM26 | + 75% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.00 (RM14) | RM12 | + 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$7 (RM20) | RM16 | + 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$720 (RM2,004) | RM1,865 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.00 (RM2.78) | RM0.27 | + 916% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$59 (RM163) | RM180 | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$30 (RM84) | RM17 | + 409% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 88% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 79 prices entered by 8 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 10, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.784
MYR
/
AUD
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in London is 99% more expensive than in Tokyo
- Cost of living in Copenhagen is 12% more expensive than in Oslo
- Cost of living in Paris is 27% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 16% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Dubai is 139% more expensive than in Colombo
- Cost of living in Patna is 21% cheaper than in Nagpur
- Cost of living in Paris is 56% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Medellín is 13% cheaper than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in London is 135% more expensive than in Kuwait City
- Cost of living in Stockholm is 19% cheaper than in Copenhagen
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least RM15,797 (AU$5,674) in Cairns to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,400 in Kota Kinabalu.
Do you live in Kota Kinabalu? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Macao
- Cost of Living, Prices in Hamilton, New Zealand (New Zealand)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Darwin (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Zamboanga (Philippines)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pontianak (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Wollongong (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Yogyakarta (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Townsville (Australia)
Prices recently added
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in Amsterdam costs €5.00 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Baltimore, Maryland costs $21 (about 2 hours ago)
- Public transport in Kuwait City costs Dinar 20 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Dhaka costs Taka 333 (about 5 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Inverness costs £20 (about 7 hours ago)
- Weekly rent - 45m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Sydney costs AU$8,600 (about 8 hours ago)