Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia vs Tacoma, Washington, United States
Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 51% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM22 ($5.52) | $18 | - 69% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 ($4.06) | $8 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 ($2.08) | $4.61 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.65) | $1.00 | + 66% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 ($1.89) | $4.14 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM5.21 ($1.29) | $4.43 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM23 ($5.55) | $5.88 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 ($2.40) | $3.72 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.14 ($1.02) | $1.77 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 ($2.86) | $3.38 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM83 ($20) | $16 | + 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.35 ($1.07) | $2.17 | - 51% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.44 ($0.85) | $2.91 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 60% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,673 ($906) | $2,136 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,887 ($465) | $1,478 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM335 ($83) | $174 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,299 ($567) | $1,427 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,350 ($333) | $1,055 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM214 ($53) | $108 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM99 ($24) | $63 | - 62% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,431 ($353) | $289 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM389 ($96) | $170 | - 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM21 ($5.25) | $15 | - 66% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM34 ($8) | $18 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 5% more expensive than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM229 ($57) | $42 | + 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM161 ($40) | $36 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM280 ($69) | $84 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM316 ($78) | $118 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 39% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM165,013 ($40,699) | $22,505 | + 81% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.23 ($0.55) | $0.84 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM91 ($23) | $75 | - 70% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM33 ($8) | $30 | - 73% | |
| Personal Care | - 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 65% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM18 ($4.55) | $9 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM24 ($5.88) | $26 | - 78% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM64 ($16) | $123 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM19 ($4.57) | $8 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.51) | $3.53 | - 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 ($4.05) | $4.69 | - 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM6 ($1.56) | $5.64 | - 72% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 ($1.92) | $2.29 | - 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 ($8) | $22 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 31% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM84 ($21) | $49 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM35 ($9) | $26 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM200 ($49) | $261 | - 81% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM197 ($48) | $75 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM34 ($8) | $10 | - 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.42) | $5.87 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM24 ($5.87) | $5.52 | + 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,900 ($469) | $428 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.54 ($0.13) | $0.06 | + 125% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM183 ($45) | $41 | + 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.26) | $10 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 726 prices entered by 92 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 01, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.24664
USD
/
MYR
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Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,800 in Tacoma, Washington you would need to make just about $3,031 (RM12,288) in Kuala Lumpur.
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