Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 4% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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Currency:
Food | - 7% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 7% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM20 | RM21 | - 2% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 | RM19 | + 5% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM12 | RM11 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 | RM8 | + 3% | |
12 eggs, large | RM12 | RM12 | - 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM7 | RM8 | - 5% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 | RM28 | - 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 | RM9 | + 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.79 | RM5.23 | + 11% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 | RM11 | + 19% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM71 | RM147 | - 51% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.95 | RM4.89 | + 1% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.18 | RM3.59 | + 16% | |
Housing | + 37% | |||
Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 37% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,228 | RM2,760 | + 53% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,571 | RM1,631 | + 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM307 | RM257 | + 19% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,500 | RM1,723 | + 45% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,641 | RM1,046 | + 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM209 | RM164 | + 27% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM114 | RM115 | - 0% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM1,405 | RM1,737 | - 19% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM398 | RM584 | - 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM29 | RM30 | - 2% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM57 | RM25 | + 128% | |
Clothes | + 10% | |||
Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 10% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 | RM295 | - 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM164 | RM114 | + 44% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM343 | RM289 | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM321 | RM331 | - 3% | |
Transportation | - 29% | |||
Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 29% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM154,540 | RM160,078 | - 3% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.25 | RM2.39 | - 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM52 | RM117 | - 55% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM31 | RM47 | - 34% | |
Personal Care | + 25% | |||
Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 25% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM13 | RM14 | - 7% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM28 | RM22 | + 27% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM78 | RM78 | + 1% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 | RM34 | - 24% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 | RM7 | + 94% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 | RM12 | + 32% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 | RM5.06 | + 36% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM10 | RM7 | + 36% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM29 | RM39 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | + 48% | |||
Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM133 | RM46 | + 186% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM39 | RM26 | + 53% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 | RM70 | + 196% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM145 | RM114 | + 28% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM41 | RM26 | + 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 | RM12 | + 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 | RM16 | + 48% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,136 | RM1,865 | + 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.47 | RM0.27 | + 73% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM208 | RM180 | + 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 | RM17 | + 8% | |
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TOTAL | + 4% |

These prices were last updated on February 09, 2025.
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