Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 43% 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 997 prices entered by 117 different people.
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| Food | + 0% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 39 (RM36) | RM18 | + 104% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 33 (RM31) | RM19 | + 67% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 11 (RM10) | RM11 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.66 (RM5.27) | RM8 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 12 (RM11) | RM13 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 7 (RM7) | RM8 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 26 (RM24) | RM26 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 9 (RM8) | RM8 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 5.86 (RM5.46) | RM6 | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.61 (RM5.22) | RM11 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 45 (RM41) | RM109 | - 62% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 9 (RM8) | RM4.55 | + 80% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.71 (RM4.39) | RM3.18 | + 38% | |
| Housing | + 77% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 77% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,941 (RM4,599) | RM2,505 | + 84% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,430 (RM3,193) | RM1,780 | + 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 664 (RM618) | RM197 | + 214% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,900 (RM3,630) | RM1,411 | + 157% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,101 (RM1,955) | RM902 | + 117% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 884 (RM823) | RM196 | + 320% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 93 (RM87) | RM125 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 2,127 (RM1,980) | RM1,828 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 885 (RM824) | RM623 | + 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 27 (RM25) | RM29 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 25 (RM23) | RM16 | + 47% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 33% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 285 (RM266) | RM291 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 259 (RM241) | RM139 | + 74% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 424 (RM394) | RM294 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 290 (RM270) | RM319 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | + 40% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 40% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 93,255 (RM86,803) | RM157,853 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.47 (RM5.09) | RM2.52 | + 102% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 263 (RM245) | RM117 | + 109% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 48 (RM44) | RM44 | + 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 80% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 80% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 17 (RM16) | RM12 | + 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 52 (RM49) | RM20 | + 147% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 245 (RM228) | RM79 | + 189% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 25 (RM24) | RM34 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 15 (RM14) | RM7 | + 96% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 20 (RM19) | RM12 | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 7 (RM7) | RM5.06 | + 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 6 (RM5.70) | RM7 | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 64 (RM60) | RM39 | + 53% | |
| Entertainment | + 75% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 75% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 131 (RM122) | RM61 | + 99% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 64 (RM59) | RM26 | + 126% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 285 (RM265) | RM70 | + 279% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 196 (RM182) | RM114 | + 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 31 (RM29) | RM26 | + 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 (RM15) | RM12 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 (RM12) | RM16 | - 26% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,995 (RM3,719) | RM1,762 | + 111% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.29 (RM1.20) | RM0.27 | + 337% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 135 (RM126) | RM180 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 10 (RM9) | RM17 | - 45% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 43% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 997 prices entered by 117 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.931
MYR
/
BRL
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For example, you would need at least RM11,727 (R$ 12,599) in Rio de Janeiro to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,200 in Kota Kinabalu.
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