Cost of living in Shenzhen (China) is 42% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 81 prices entered by 12 different people.
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| Food | + 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Shenzhen (China) is 19% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 66元 (RM42) | RM18 | + 138% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 34元 (RM22) | RM19 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 23元 (RM15) | RM11 | + 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16元 (RM11) | RM8 | + 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17元 (RM11) | RM13 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 12元 (RM7) | RM8 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 75元 (RM48) | RM26 | + 85% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (RM10) | RM8 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 9元 (RM6) | RM6 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.70元 (RM3.67) | RM11 | - 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 110元 (RM71) | RM109 | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10元 (RM6) | RM4.55 | + 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (RM8) | RM3.18 | + 145% | |
| Housing | + 121% | |||
| Housing in Shenzhen (China) is 121% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,920元 (RM8,324) | RM2,505 | + 232% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,708元 (RM4,966) | RM1,780 | + 179% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 577元 (RM372) | RM197 | + 89% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,001元 (RM4,510) | RM1,411 | + 220% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,395元 (RM2,831) | RM902 | + 214% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 310元 (RM199) | RM196 | + 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 148元 (RM96) | RM125 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,389元 (RM1,539) | RM1,828 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 765元 (RM493) | RM623 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40元 (RM26) | RM29 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 40元 (RM26) | RM16 | + 65% | |
| Clothes | + 40% | |||
| Clothes in Shenzhen (China) is 40% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 621元 (RM400) | RM291 | + 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 301元 (RM194) | RM139 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 642元 (RM414) | RM294 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 740元 (RM477) | RM319 | + 49% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in Shenzhen (China) is 10% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 164,634元 (RM106,066) | RM157,853 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7元 (RM4.27) | RM2.52 | + 70% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 171元 (RM110) | RM117 | - 6% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 54元 (RM34) | RM44 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 116% | |||
| Personal Care in Shenzhen (China) is 116% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28元 (RM18) | RM12 | + 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 47元 (RM30) | RM20 | + 52% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 399元 (RM257) | RM79 | + 226% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 42元 (RM27) | RM34 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41元 (RM26) | RM7 | + 270% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 38元 (RM24) | RM12 | + 100% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 13元 (RM9) | RM5.06 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 12元 (RM8) | RM7 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 69元 (RM44) | RM39 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 80% | |||
| Entertainment in Shenzhen (China) is 80% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Shenzhen | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 246元 (RM159) | RM61 | + 160% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 102元 (RM66) | RM26 | + 150% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 536元 (RM345) | RM70 | + 393% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 578元 (RM372) | RM114 | + 227% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 68元 (RM44) | RM26 | + 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 37元 (RM24) | RM12 | + 94% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 37元 (RM24) | RM16 | + 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,047元 (RM1,963) | RM1,762 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.67元 (RM0.43) | RM0.27 | + 57% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 282元 (RM182) | RM180 | + 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (RM16) | RM17 | - 4% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 42% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 81 prices entered by 12 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.644
MYR
/
CNY
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For example, you would need at least RM10,244 (15,901元) in Shenzhen to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,200 in Kota Kinabalu.
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