Cost of living in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 30% 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 485 prices entered by 48 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 27% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $11 (RM48) | RM17 | + 178% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (RM31) | RM16 | + 91% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.11 (RM9) | RM11 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.05 (RM9) | RM8 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.50 (RM11) | RM8 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.78 (RM8) | RM8 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.05 (RM18) | RM26 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.86 (RM13) | RM8 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (RM10) | RM6 | + 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.33 (RM5.99) | RM11 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (RM67) | RM109 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.00 (RM9) | RM4.55 | + 97% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.97 (RM4.35) | RM3.18 | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 54% | |||
| Housing in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 54% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,143 (RM5,130) | RM2,505 | + 105% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $675 (RM3,029) | RM1,780 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $74 (RM330) | RM197 | + 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $567 (RM2,545) | RM1,411 | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $379 (RM1,701) | RM902 | + 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $46 (RM205) | RM196 | + 5% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $27 (RM119) | RM125 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $362 (RM1,626) | RM1,828 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $88 (RM395) | RM623 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 (RM30) | RM29 | + 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $10 (RM46) | RM16 | + 194% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 21% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 (RM233) | RM291 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $42 (RM189) | RM139 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $98 (RM442) | RM294 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $84 (RM379) | RM319 | + 19% | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 6% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $19,386 (RM87,023) | RM157,853 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.34 (RM6) | RM2.52 | + 139% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $31 (RM139) | RM117 | + 18% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $24 (RM106) | RM44 | + 143% | |
| Personal Care | + 98% | |||
| Personal Care in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 98% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.01 (RM22) | RM12 | + 89% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (RM64) | RM20 | + 223% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $30 (RM137) | RM79 | + 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $4.90 (RM22) | RM34 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.73 (RM17) | RM7 | + 135% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (RM29) | RM12 | + 136% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.18 (RM10) | RM5.06 | + 93% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.79 (RM8) | RM7 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $12 (RM52) | RM39 | + 33% | |
| Entertainment | + 39% | |||
| Entertainment in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 39% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $17 (RM78) | RM61 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $10 (RM43) | RM26 | + 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $42 (RM191) | RM70 | + 172% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $39 (RM176) | RM114 | + 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 (RM39) | RM26 | + 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.47 (RM20) | RM12 | + 62% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.76 (RM8) | RM16 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $506 (RM2,273) | RM1,762 | + 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (RM0.90) | RM0.27 | + 229% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $34 (RM152) | RM180 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.63 (RM16) | RM17 | - 2% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 30% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 485 prices entered by 48 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.489
MYR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least RM10,282 ($2,290) in San Salvador to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,900 in Kota Kinabalu.
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