Cost of living in Darwin (Australia) is 98% 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 107 prices entered by 8 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Darwin (Australia) is 38% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$19 (RM52) | RM21 | + 150% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$13 (RM36) | RM19 | + 96% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$6 (RM17) | RM11 | + 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.57 (RM4.37) | RM8 | - 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 (RM19) | RM12 | + 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$4.68 (RM13) | RM8 | + 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 (RM22) | RM28 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.50 (RM13) | RM9 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.70 (RM10) | RM5.23 | + 97% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.28 (RM15) | RM11 | + 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 (RM56) | RM147 | - 62% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.76 (RM10) | RM4.89 | + 113% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.69 (RM7) | RM3.59 | + 108% | |
| Housing | + 168% | |||
| Housing in Darwin (Australia) is 168% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,676 (RM7,438) | RM2,760 | + 170% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,821 (RM5,061) | RM1,631 | + 210% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$355 (RM986) | RM257 | + 283% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,970 (RM5,476) | RM1,723 | + 218% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,524 (RM4,236) | RM1,046 | + 305% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$318 (RM884) | RM164 | + 439% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$61 (RM170) | RM115 | + 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$690 (RM1,917) | RM1,737 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$211 (RM586) | RM584 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 (RM32) | RM30 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$35 (RM97) | RM25 | + 286% | |
| Clothes | + 67% | |||
| Clothes in Darwin (Australia) is 67% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$143 (RM397) | RM295 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$95 (RM265) | RM114 | + 132% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$144 (RM399) | RM289 | + 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$161 (RM446) | RM331 | + 35% | |
| Transportation | + 54% | |||
| Transportation in Darwin (Australia) is 54% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$31,170 (RM86,620) | RM160,078 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$3.17 (RM9) | RM2.39 | + 268% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$87 (RM243) | RM117 | + 107% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$21 (RM58) | RM47 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 99% | |||
| Personal Care in Darwin (Australia) is 99% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$10 (RM28) | RM14 | + 98% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 (RM49) | RM22 | + 122% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$76 (RM211) | RM78 | + 172% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 (RM21) | RM34 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.17 (RM14) | RM7 | + 101% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$8 (RM23) | RM12 | + 88% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.44 (RM10) | RM5.06 | + 89% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.94 (RM11) | RM7 | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$31 (RM85) | RM39 | + 117% | |
| Entertainment | + 227% | |||
| Entertainment in Darwin (Australia) is 227% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Darwin | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$59 (RM163) | RM46 | + 251% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$40 (RM110) | RM26 | + 329% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$162 (RM450) | RM70 | + 543% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$104 (RM289) | RM114 | + 154% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$17 (RM47) | RM26 | + 78% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.40 (RM15) | RM12 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$9 (RM25) | RM16 | + 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$542 (RM1,507) | RM1,865 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.18 (RM3.27) | RM0.27 | + 1093% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$77 (RM214) | RM180 | + 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$36 (RM100) | RM17 | + 502% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 98% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 107 prices entered by 8 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.779
MYR
/
AUD
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For example, you would need at least RM16,851 (AU$6,064) in Darwin to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,500 in Kota Kinabalu.
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