Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (¥866) | ¥1,035 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM22 (¥732) | ¥840 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (¥342) | ¥618 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (¥301) | ¥237 | + 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 (¥421) | ¥335 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (¥207) | ¥439 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (¥898) | ¥1,195 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM14 (¥474) | ¥822 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.71 (¥193) | ¥509 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM14 (¥482) | ¥303 | + 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM108 (¥3,669) | ¥1,267 | + 190% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (¥209) | ¥276 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.82 (¥163) | ¥293 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 58% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,099 (¥104,888) | ¥365,082 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,092 (¥70,794) | ¥197,136 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM321 (¥10,867) | ¥19,132 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,126 (¥71,969) | ¥145,654 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,265 (¥42,807) | ¥102,459 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM153 (¥5,166) | ¥8,349 | - 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM91 (¥3,086) | ¥4,448 | - 31% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,408 (¥47,652) | ¥74,559 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM418 (¥14,151) | ¥25,414 | - 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM23 (¥775) | ¥1,338 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM34 (¥1,163) | ¥2,815 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 7% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM246 (¥8,332) | ¥9,315 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM150 (¥5,066) | ¥5,103 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM472 (¥15,977) | ¥9,892 | + 62% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM475 (¥16,088) | ¥12,189 | + 32% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,476 (¥5,194,420) | ¥3,122,540 | + 66% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.40 (¥81) | ¥169 | - 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM107 (¥3,605) | ¥8,198 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 41% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (¥552) | ¥2,133 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM34 (¥1,140) | ¥2,551 | - 55% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM89 (¥3,017) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (¥878) | ¥1,337 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (¥481) | ¥930 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (¥501) | ¥622 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (¥279) | ¥224 | + 24% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM14 (¥469) | ¥188 | + 150% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (¥1,116) | ¥4,604 | - 76% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM94 (¥3,166) | ¥4,908 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (¥1,281) | ¥3,881 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM360 (¥12,168) | ¥7,212 | + 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM201 (¥6,788) | ¥8,269 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM44 (¥1,483) | ¥1,244 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 (¥520) | ¥547 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM25 (¥837) | ¥674 | + 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,135 (¥72,265) | ¥51,659 | + 40% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.50 (¥17) | ¥52 | - 68% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM240 (¥8,129) | ¥9,530 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (¥602) | ¥602 | + 0% | |
| TOTAL | - 35% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,091 prices entered by 181 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
33.845
JPY
/
MYR
Cost of living in Malaysia is 35% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 36% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Argentina is 11% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 13% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 41% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 17% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 85% more expensive than in Japan