Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 266% 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 741 prices entered by 174 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 176% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New York City (United States) is 176% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 (RM102) | RM17 | + 490% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 (RM47) | RM16 | + 188% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $9 (RM39) | RM11 | + 253% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.28 (RM5.72) | RM8 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.80 (RM26) | RM8 | + 216% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (RM28) | RM8 | + 241% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (RM38) | RM26 | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.25 (RM23) | RM8 | + 177% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.80 (RM17) | RM6 | + 169% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.32 (RM15) | RM11 | + 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (RM79) | RM109 | - 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.89 (RM13) | RM4.55 | + 184% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.08 (RM18) | RM3.18 | + 473% | |
| Housing | + 656% | |||
| Housing in New York City (United States) is 656% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $6,663 (RM29,802) | RM2,505 | + 1090% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $4,015 (RM17,958) | RM1,780 | + 909% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $254 (RM1,136) | RM197 | + 476% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,777 (RM16,892) | RM1,411 | + 1097% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,357 (RM10,541) | RM902 | + 1069% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $123 (RM551) | RM196 | + 182% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $67 (RM299) | RM125 | + 140% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $308 (RM1,377) | RM1,828 | - 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $161 (RM721) | RM623 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (RM59) | RM29 | + 99% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $28 (RM127) | RM16 | + 711% | |
| Clothes | + 57% | |||
| Clothes in New York City (United States) is 57% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $60 (RM267) | RM291 | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $57 (RM254) | RM139 | + 83% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $96 (RM430) | RM294 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $147 (RM660) | RM319 | + 107% | |
| Transportation | + 157% | |||
| Transportation in New York City (United States) is 157% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $24,700 (RM110,469) | RM157,853 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.31 (RM5.87) | RM2.52 | + 133% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $129 (RM577) | RM117 | + 393% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $23 (RM105) | RM44 | + 140% | |
| Personal Care | + 267% | |||
| Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 267% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM30) | RM12 | + 149% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $22 (RM99) | RM20 | + 403% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $132 (RM589) | RM79 | + 647% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (RM38) | RM34 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.53 (RM20) | RM7 | + 184% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (RM32) | RM12 | + 164% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.99 (RM22) | RM5.06 | + 340% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 (RM10) | RM7 | + 46% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (RM137) | RM39 | + 249% | |
| Entertainment | + 201% | |||
| Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 201% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $71 (RM319) | RM61 | + 423% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $37 (RM163) | RM26 | + 521% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $350 (RM1,567) | RM70 | + 2138% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $96 (RM430) | RM114 | + 278% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 (RM79) | RM26 | + 200% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.34 (RM24) | RM12 | + 93% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (RM35) | RM16 | + 121% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $418 (RM1,871) | RM1,762 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.10 (RM0.45) | RM0.27 | + 63% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $111 (RM496) | RM180 | + 175% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (RM65) | RM17 | + 294% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 266% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 741 prices entered by 174 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.473
MYR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least RM26,349 ($5,891) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,200 in Kota Kinabalu.
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