Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 48% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 29 (RM34) | RM16 | + 117% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 29 (RM34) | RM18 | + 90% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 15 (RM18) | RM9 | + 104% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (RM8) | RM7 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM9 | + 102% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (RM8) | RM6 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 13 (RM15) | RM22 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (RM10) | RM11 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.23 (RM4.98) | RM4.90 | + 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | RM13 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | RM74 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (RM10) | RM4.93 | + 105% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.43 (RM2.86) | RM3.49 | - 18% | |
| Housing | + 94% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 94% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 4,733 (RM5,572) | RM2,921 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,986 (RM3,514) | RM2,240 | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 780 (RM918) | RM284 | + 223% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 3,002 (RM3,534) | RM2,069 | + 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,898 (RM2,234) | RM1,296 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 1,242 (RM1,462) | RM965 | + 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 252 (RM296) | RM100 | + 196% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 2,261 (RM2,662) | RM2,327 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 495 (RM583) | RM562 | + 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 26 (RM31) | RM28 | + 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 59 (RM69) | RM36 | + 92% | |
| Clothes | + 176% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 176% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 196 (RM231) | RM193 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 399 (RM470) | RM122 | + 284% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 428 (RM504) | RM296 | + 70% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 358 (RM422) | RM246 | + 71% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 15% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 90,334 (RM106,337) | RM162,896 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.86 (RM2.19) | RM2.33 | - 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 154 (RM181) | RM86 | + 111% | |
| Personal Care | + 74% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 74% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 13 (RM15) | RM8 | + 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 75 (RM88) | RM16 | + 468% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 196 (RM230) | RM149 | + 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 35 (RM41) | RM44 | - 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 22 (RM26) | RM11 | + 140% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 19 (RM22) | RM15 | + 52% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 11 (RM13) | RM20 | - 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (RM22) | RM7 | + 196% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 43 (RM51) | RM30 | + 70% | |
| Entertainment | + 89% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 89% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 152 (RM179) | RM126 | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 134 (RM158) | RM38 | + 319% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 507 (RM597) | RM211 | + 183% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 217 (RM256) | RM127 | + 102% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | RM85 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM18 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | RM18 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 3,669 (RM4,319) | RM2,145 | + 101% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.54 (RM0.63) | RM0.24 | + 167% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 234 (RM276) | RM158 | + 74% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 25 (RM29) | RM17 | + 65% | |
| TOTAL | + 65% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 821 prices entered by 171 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.177
MYR
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 65% more expensive than in Malaysia
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