Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 37% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 33 (RM39) | RM22 | + 74% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 (RM36) | RM19 | + 92% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 18 (RM21) | RM10 | + 109% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (RM8) | RM8 | - 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 15 (RM18) | RM12 | + 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (RM8) | RM7 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM25 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 9 (RM10) | RM12 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.05 (RM5.97) | RM5.92 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | RM13 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | RM88 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (RM10) | RM5.83 | + 65% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.60 (RM4.26) | RM4.46 | - 4% | |
| Housing | + 134% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 134% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,631 (RM9,023) | RM3,718 | + 143% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,262 (RM5,039) | RM2,309 | + 118% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 687 (RM813) | RM348 | + 133% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,601 (RM5,440) | RM2,272 | + 139% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,085 (RM3,648) | RM1,569 | + 132% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 836 (RM988) | RM186 | + 432% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 254 (RM300) | RM107 | + 182% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,109 (RM1,312) | RM1,195 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 430 (RM508) | RM447 | + 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 42 (RM50) | RM27 | + 88% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 45 (RM53) | RM52 | + 3% | |
| Clothes | + 32% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 32% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 185 (RM219) | RM246 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 208 (RM246) | RM162 | + 52% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 405 (RM479) | RM339 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 338 (RM400) | RM314 | + 27% | |
| Transportation | + 59% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 59% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 92,343 (RM109,188) | RM152,468 | - 28% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.26 (RM2.68) | RM2.19 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 159 (RM188) | RM52 | + 262% | |
| Personal Care | + 131% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 131% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 19 (RM23) | RM15 | + 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 112 (RM132) | RM37 | + 260% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 240 (RM283) | RM77 | + 269% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 80 (RM95) | RM32 | + 198% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 23 (RM27) | RM15 | + 85% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 17 (RM20) | RM16 | + 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 16 (RM18) | RM8 | + 118% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 20 (RM23) | RM12 | + 93% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 36 (RM42) | RM31 | + 38% | |
| Entertainment | + 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 63% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 163 (RM193) | RM115 | + 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 125 (RM148) | RM39 | + 284% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 120 (RM142) | RM361 | - 61% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 244 (RM289) | RM143 | + 102% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | RM35 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 19 (RM22) | RM14 | + 62% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | RM19 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 3,226 (RM3,815) | RM2,486 | + 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.35 (RM0.41) | RM0.50 | - 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 407 (RM482) | RM211 | + 128% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (RM31) | RM18 | + 73% | |
| TOTAL | + 73% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.182
MYR
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,176 prices entered by 186 different people.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 73% more expensive than in Malaysia
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