Cost of living in San Juan, Puerto Rico vs Tawau, Malaysia
Currency:
Food | + 95% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 95% more expensive than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (RM55) | RM23 | + 145% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (RM29) | RM14 | + 114% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.57 (RM15) | RM10 | + 45% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.76 (RM7) | RM5.25 | + 37% | |
12 eggs, large | $3.38 (RM14) | RM7 | + 112% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.54 (RM19) | RM4.00 | + 363% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.57 (RM19) | RM11 | + 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.76 (RM23) | RM20 | + 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.01 (RM12) | RM6.00 | + 105% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.73 (RM7) | RM7 | + 1% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (RM61) | RM50 | + 22% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.38 (RM5.62) | RM3.50 | + 61% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.04 (RM8) | RM2.50 | + 233% | |
Housing | + 60% | |||
Housing in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 60% more expensive than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,480 (RM6,030) | RM3,000 | + 101% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $929 (RM3,785) | RM2,400 | + 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $166 (RM674) | RM303 | + 122% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $751 (RM3,061) | RM650 | + 371% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $526 (RM2,143) | RM600 | + 257% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $122 (RM498) | RM500 | - 0% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $42 (RM171) | RM127 | + 35% | |
40” flat screen tv | $358 (RM1,458) | RM2,350 | - 38% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $92 (RM376) | RM2,000 | - 81% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $6 (RM25) | RM24 | + 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $16 (RM67) | - | - | |
Clothes | - 28% | |||
Clothes in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 28% cheaper than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $45 (RM182) | RM250 | - 27% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (RM203) | RM300 | - 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (RM350) | RM400 | - 12% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $90 (RM367) | RM400 | - 8% | |
Transportation | - 21% | |||
Transportation in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 21% cheaper than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,348 (RM103,270) | RM180,000 | - 43% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.75 (RM3.07) | RM2.30 | + 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $33 (RM132) | - | - | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 (RM76) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 65% | |||
Personal Care in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 65% more expensive than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $6 (RM26) | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 (RM51) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $38 (RM156) | RM45 | + 247% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.84 (RM24) | RM20 | + 19% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.56 (RM15) | RM11 | + 29% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.19 (RM17) | RM8 | + 113% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.00 (RM12) | RM7 | + 85% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.31 (RM9) | RM6.00 | + 57% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $23 (RM93) | RM10 | + 833% | |
Entertainment | + 49% | |||
Entertainment in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 49% more expensive than in Tawau (Malaysia) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $37 (RM150) | RM30 | + 399% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $16 (RM64) | RM21 | + 206% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $60 (RM244) | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $69 (RM283) | RM200 | + 41% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $8 (RM33) | - | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $3.24 (RM13) | RM10 | + 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.85 (RM12) | - | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $462 (RM1,881) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.12 (RM0.49) | RM0.15 | + 226% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $35 (RM143) | RM198 | - 28% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (RM38) | RM10 | + 276% | |
TOTAL | + 33% |

These prices were last updated on March 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
4.074
MYR
/
USD
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Cost of living in San Juan (Puerto Rico) is 33% more expensive than in Tawau (Malaysia)
For example, you would need at least RM12,356 ($3,033) in San Juan to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,300 in Tawau.
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