Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Indonesia
Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 27% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM24 (Rp 89,727) | Rp 62,394 | + 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM19 (Rp 72,867) | Rp 60,225 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (Rp 37,244) | Rp 32,593 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (Rp 31,951) | Rp 24,589 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM13 (Rp 50,239) | Rp 31,337 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (Rp 29,200) | Rp 14,750 | + 98% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (Rp 101,144) | Rp 72,901 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM16 (Rp 59,441) | Rp 45,403 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM8 (Rp 28,853) | Rp 22,376 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (Rp 49,787) | Rp 32,966 | + 51% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM83 (Rp 316,283) | Rp 344,694 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (Rp 23,574) | Rp 18,943 | + 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.42 (Rp 16,859) | Rp 15,178 | + 11% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 13% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,640 (Rp 13,881,349) | Rp 20,348,700 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,301 (Rp 8,775,124) | Rp 11,729,200 | - 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM332 (Rp 1,264,435) | Rp 1,724,710 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,175 (Rp 8,295,304) | Rp 7,387,200 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,382 (Rp 5,269,826) | Rp 4,597,950 | + 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM168 (Rp 641,828) | Rp 1,423,880 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM105 (Rp 399,534) | Rp 378,883 | + 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,622 (Rp 6,185,421) | Rp 3,205,730 | + 93% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM418 (Rp 1,594,497) | Rp 1,931,010 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM27 (Rp 101,508) | Rp 91,402 | + 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (Rp 136,120) | Rp 83,441 | + 63% | |
| Clothes | + 19% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 19% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM246 (Rp 938,834) | Rp 651,126 | + 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM150 (Rp 570,831) | Rp 458,661 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM338 (Rp 1,288,567) | Rp 1,449,070 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM319 (Rp 1,218,424) | Rp 1,296,520 | - 6% | |
| Transportation | + 5% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 5% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,476 (Rp 585,287,946) | Rp 504,781,000 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.44 (Rp 9,313) | Rp 12,092 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM55 (Rp 210,525) | Rp 199,904 | + 5% | |
| Personal Care | + 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 61% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (Rp 62,178) | Rp 22,456 | + 177% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM34 (Rp 128,427) | Rp 96,147 | + 34% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM92 (Rp 351,058) | Rp 264,826 | + 33% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (Rp 98,974) | Rp 66,604 | + 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (Rp 52,971) | Rp 26,592 | + 99% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (Rp 56,502) | Rp 33,023 | + 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (Rp 31,395) | Rp 27,953 | + 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM14 (Rp 52,807) | Rp 21,349 | + 147% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM35 (Rp 132,939) | Rp 84,361 | + 58% | |
| Entertainment | + 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 37% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM113 (Rp 430,256) | Rp 261,890 | + 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (Rp 144,363) | Rp 96,262 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM360 (Rp 1,371,073) | Rp 496,791 | + 176% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM194 (Rp 739,199) | Rp 397,663 | + 86% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM38 (Rp 143,140) | Rp 149,637 | - 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (Rp 51,876) | Rp 38,785 | + 34% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (Rp 87,847) | Rp 50,891 | + 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,135 (Rp 8,142,571) | Rp 6,922,760 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.50 (Rp 1,907) | Rp 2,388 | - 20% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM199 (Rp 760,353) | Rp 433,566 | + 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Rp 67,867) | Rp 42,636 | + 59% | |
| TOTAL | + 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3813.547
IDR
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,123 prices entered by 166 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 13% more expensive than in Indonesia
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