Cost of living in Romania compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Romania is 11% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 45 lei (RM43) | RM16 | + 173% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 lei (RM23) | RM18 | + 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (RM15) | RM8 | + 89% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (RM6) | RM7 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14 lei (RM14) | RM9 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8 lei (RM8) | RM7 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 18 lei (RM17) | RM22 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.74 lei (RM4.45) | RM11 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.50 lei (RM3.28) | RM4.90 | - 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3.84 lei (RM3.60) | RM13 | - 73% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 33 lei (RM31) | RM74 | - 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 7 lei (RM6) | RM4.93 | + 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.93 lei (RM3.69) | RM3.49 | + 6% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in Romania is 13% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,450 lei (RM3,237) | RM3,019 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,340 lei (RM2,196) | RM2,197 | - 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 473 lei (RM444) | RM285 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,014 lei (RM1,890) | RM1,908 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,491 lei (RM1,399) | RM1,210 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 322 lei (RM302) | RM872 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 38 lei (RM36) | RM113 | - 68% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,476 lei (RM1,385) | RM2,827 | - 51% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 432 lei (RM405) | RM537 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 44 lei (RM42) | RM28 | + 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 55 lei (RM51) | RM36 | + 44% | |
| Clothes | + 40% | |||
| Clothes in Romania is 40% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 317 lei (RM298) | RM193 | + 54% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 181 lei (RM170) | RM122 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 333 lei (RM313) | RM296 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 417 lei (RM391) | RM246 | + 59% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in Romania is 8% cheaper than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 99,948 lei (RM93,792) | RM162,896 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8 lei (RM7) | RM2.31 | + 222% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 83 lei (RM77) | RM86 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Romania is 7% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28 lei (RM26) | RM9 | + 175% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 29 lei (RM27) | RM16 | + 74% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 212 lei (RM199) | RM149 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 23 lei (RM21) | RM44 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 16 lei (RM15) | RM11 | + 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 18 lei (RM17) | RM15 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (RM8) | RM20 | - 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 14 lei (RM13) | RM7 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 49 lei (RM46) | RM34 | + 35% | |
| Entertainment | + 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Romania is 7% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Romania | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 126 lei (RM119) | RM126 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 65 lei (RM61) | RM38 | + 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 136 lei (RM128) | RM271 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 193 lei (RM181) | RM111 | + 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 27 lei (RM26) | RM100 | - 75% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12 lei (RM11) | RM14 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10 lei (RM9) | RM18 | - 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,334 lei (RM3,129) | RM2,145 | + 46% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.38 lei (RM0.35) | RM0.24 | + 49% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 191 lei (RM180) | RM158 | + 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 23 lei (RM21) | RM17 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 0% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.938
MYR
/
RON
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,859 prices entered by 218 different people.
Cost of living in Romania is about the same as in Malaysia
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