Cost of living in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 126% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 315 prices entered by 30 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 112% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 112% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (RM103) | RM18 | + 477% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (RM42) | RM19 | + 126% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.56 (RM21) | RM11 | + 96% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.00 (RM4.69) | RM8 | - 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.66 (RM22) | RM13 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.36 (RM16) | RM8 | + 93% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (RM32) | RM26 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.14 (RM20) | RM8 | + 130% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.98 (RM9) | RM6 | + 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.05 (RM14) | RM11 | + 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (RM65) | RM109 | - 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.39 (RM11) | RM4.55 | + 148% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.10 (RM15) | RM3.18 | + 358% | |
| Housing | + 272% | |||
| Housing in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 272% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,544 (RM11,977) | RM2,505 | + 378% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,267 (RM5,962) | RM1,780 | + 235% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $227 (RM1,069) | RM197 | + 442% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,298 (RM6,108) | RM1,411 | + 333% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $891 (RM4,195) | RM902 | + 365% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 (RM664) | RM196 | + 239% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $51 (RM239) | RM125 | + 92% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $264 (RM1,244) | RM1,828 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $184 (RM867) | RM623 | + 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $20 (RM92) | RM29 | + 214% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $29 (RM136) | RM16 | + 772% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 29% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (RM250) | RM291 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $36 (RM168) | RM139 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $128 (RM604) | RM294 | + 105% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $139 (RM654) | RM319 | + 105% | |
| Transportation | + 38% | |||
| Transportation in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 38% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,672 (RM139,666) | RM157,853 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.97 (RM4.57) | RM2.52 | + 81% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $45 (RM211) | RM117 | + 80% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 (RM88) | RM44 | + 102% | |
| Personal Care | + 238% | |||
| Personal Care in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 238% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (RM48) | RM12 | + 308% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (RM76) | RM20 | + 287% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $106 (RM497) | RM79 | + 530% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (RM35) | RM34 | + 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.80 (RM23) | RM7 | + 217% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.56 (RM26) | RM12 | + 115% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.65 (RM17) | RM5.06 | + 240% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.89 (RM9) | RM7 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (RM99) | RM39 | + 153% | |
| Entertainment | + 183% | |||
| Entertainment in Detroit, Michigan (United States) is 183% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Detroit, Michigan | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $58 (RM272) | RM61 | + 346% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (RM134) | RM26 | + 409% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $146 (RM689) | RM70 | + 884% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $103 (RM483) | RM114 | + 324% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (RM70) | RM26 | + 166% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (RM30) | RM12 | + 142% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.54 (RM21) | RM16 | + 37% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $410 (RM1,931) | RM1,762 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.33 (RM1.55) | RM0.27 | + 467% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $35 (RM164) | RM180 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (RM46) | RM17 | + 177% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 126% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 315 prices entered by 30 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.707
MYR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least RM17,414 ($3,700) in Detroit, Michigan to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,700 in Kota Kinabalu.
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