Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (RM55) | RM20 | + 170% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (RM40) | RM19 | + 115% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (RM23) | RM10 | + 115% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (RM7) | RM8 | - 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (RM15) | RM11 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6.00 (RM7) | RM7 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (RM30) | RM27 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (RM10) | RM12 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.20 (RM4.91) | RM6 | - 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (RM12) | RM13 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 (RM72) | RM72 | + 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM5.09 | + 89% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.25 (RM6) | RM4.56 | + 34% | |
| Housing | + 146% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 146% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,929 (RM9,256) | RM3,769 | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,679 (RM6,630) | RM2,425 | + 173% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 716 (RM835) | RM377 | + 121% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,946 (RM6,942) | RM2,307 | + 201% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,861 (RM4,508) | RM1,585 | + 184% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 523 (RM611) | RM196 | + 212% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 210 (RM245) | RM116 | + 112% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 782 (RM913) | RM1,161 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 308 (RM360) | RM463 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 (RM44) | RM25 | + 80% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 41 (RM48) | RM28 | + 72% | |
| Clothes | + 43% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 43% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 203 (RM237) | RM245 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 205 (RM240) | RM161 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 465 (RM543) | RM332 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 592 (RM692) | RM320 | + 116% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 26% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 104,954 (RM122,529) | RM154,335 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.00 (RM3.51) | RM2.13 | + 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 (RM114) | RM53 | + 117% | |
| Personal Care | + 126% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 126% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM14 | + 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 74 (RM87) | RM32 | + 168% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 356 (RM415) | RM84 | + 394% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (RM30) | RM26 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (RM20) | RM13 | + 50% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM12 | + 108% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (RM13) | RM7 | + 79% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 19 (RM22) | RM11 | + 92% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 50 (RM59) | RM27 | + 115% | |
| Entertainment | + 93% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 93% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 185 (RM216) | RM64 | + 235% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (RM107) | RM39 | + 174% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 454 (RM530) | RM480 | + 11% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 491 (RM573) | RM134 | + 327% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 85 (RM99) | RM35 | + 186% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 25 (RM29) | RM13 | + 116% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 38 (RM45) | RM17 | + 157% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,148 (RM2,508) | RM2,918 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.73 (RM0.85) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 278 (RM324) | RM207 | + 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (RM22) | RM18 | + 23% | |
| TOTAL | + 82% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,291 prices entered by 320 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 05, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.167
MYR
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 82% more expensive than in Malaysia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is about the same as in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Malaysia
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Argentina is 53% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 87% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Andorra is 112% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 100% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Armenia is 38% more expensive than in Malaysia