Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 83% 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 374 prices entered by 53 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 40% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 31 (RM37) | RM19 | + 94% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 30 (RM35) | RM18 | + 96% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM11 | + 80% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (RM7) | RM8 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 12 (RM14) | RM11 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (RM7) | RM8 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 15 (RM18) | RM28 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 9 (RM10) | RM9 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.00 (RM5.90) | RM5.23 | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | RM11 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | RM143 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (RM9) | RM4.89 | + 91% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.99 (RM4.70) | RM3.59 | + 31% | |
| Housing | + 188% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 188% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,871 (RM9,285) | RM2,805 | + 231% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,263 (RM5,028) | RM1,579 | + 219% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 653 (RM770) | RM257 | + 199% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,451 (RM5,250) | RM1,723 | + 205% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 2,938 (RM3,465) | RM1,046 | + 231% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 493 (RM581) | RM164 | + 254% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 255 (RM301) | RM114 | + 165% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,495 (RM1,763) | RM1,737 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 483 (RM570) | RM584 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 36 (RM42) | RM30 | + 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 42 (RM50) | RM25 | + 97% | |
| Clothes | + 50% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 50% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 181 (RM213) | RM295 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 213 (RM252) | RM114 | + 120% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 399 (RM471) | RM289 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 337 (RM398) | RM331 | + 20% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 13% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 94,922 (RM111,970) | RM157,853 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.28 (RM2.69) | RM2.39 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 142 (RM168) | RM117 | + 43% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 60 (RM71) | RM47 | + 51% | |
| Personal Care | + 144% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 144% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 9 (RM11) | RM14 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 75 (RM88) | RM22 | + 302% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 189 (RM223) | RM78 | + 187% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 21 (RM25) | RM34 | - 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 22 (RM26) | RM7 | + 267% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM12 | + 56% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 10 (RM12) | RM5.06 | + 130% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (RM23) | RM7 | + 219% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (RM39) | RM39 | - 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 142% | |||
| Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 142% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 210 (RM247) | RM46 | + 433% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 123 (RM145) | RM26 | + 464% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 308 (RM363) | RM70 | + 419% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 218 (RM257) | RM114 | + 126% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | RM26 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (RM22) | RM12 | + 76% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | RM16 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,618 (RM3,088) | RM1,865 | + 66% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.40 (RM0.48) | RM0.27 | + 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 395 (RM466) | RM180 | + 158% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 27 (RM32) | RM17 | + 90% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 83% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 374 prices entered by 53 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 12, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.180
MYR
/
SAR
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For example, you would need at least RM14,249 (﷼ 12,080) in Riyadh to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,800 in Kota Kinabalu.
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