Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 14% 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 549 prices entered by 83 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 10% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 144 (RM34) | RM18 | + 88% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 82 (RM19) | RM19 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 58 (RM14) | RM11 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (RM4.50) | RM8 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 37 (RM9) | RM13 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 28 (RM7) | RM8 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 91 (RM21) | RM26 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 29 (RM7) | RM8 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 32 (RM7) | RM6 | + 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 33 (RM8) | RM11 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 116 (RM27) | RM109 | - 75% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (RM5.46) | RM4.55 | + 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (RM4.08) | RM3.18 | + 28% | |
| Housing | + 25% | |||
| Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 25% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,480 (RM3,382) | RM2,505 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 8,621 (RM2,013) | RM1,780 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,675 (RM391) | RM197 | + 99% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,082 (RM1,887) | RM1,411 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 5,851 (RM1,367) | RM902 | + 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,507 (RM586) | RM196 | + 199% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 515 (RM120) | RM125 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,479 (RM1,513) | RM1,828 | - 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,875 (RM438) | RM623 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (RM20) | RM29 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 59 (RM14) | RM16 | - 11% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 13% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 1,027 (RM240) | RM291 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 749 (RM175) | RM139 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,824 (RM426) | RM294 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,377 (RM322) | RM319 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 20% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 420,471 (RM98,197) | RM157,853 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 24 (RM5.56) | RM2.52 | + 121% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 812 (RM190) | RM117 | + 62% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 180 (RM42) | RM44 | - 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 40% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 60 (RM14) | RM12 | + 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 233 (RM55) | RM20 | + 177% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 610 (RM142) | RM79 | + 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 44 (RM10) | RM34 | - 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (RM8) | RM7 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 57 (RM13) | RM12 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (RM8) | RM5.06 | + 51% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 23 (RM5.39) | RM7 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 221 (RM52) | RM39 | + 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 19% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 502 (RM117) | RM61 | + 92% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 252 (RM59) | RM26 | + 124% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 779 (RM182) | RM70 | + 160% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 766 (RM179) | RM114 | + 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 90 (RM21) | RM26 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 37 (RM9) | RM12 | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 35 (RM8) | RM16 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,198 (RM2,148) | RM1,762 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.80 (RM0.42) | RM0.27 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 544 (RM127) | RM180 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (RM11) | RM17 | - 33% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 14% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 549 prices entered by 83 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.23354
MYR
/
ZAR
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For example, you would need at least RM9,008 (R 38,570) in Johannesburg to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,900 in Kota Kinabalu.
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