Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 65% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 65% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 52 (RM60) | RM15 | + 302% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (RM35) | RM17 | + 103% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (RM17) | RM8 | + 121% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (RM8) | RM7 | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (RM17) | RM9 | + 101% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.35 (RM6) | RM7 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 24 (RM27) | RM22 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (RM9) | RM11 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.03 (RM4.65) | RM4.90 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (RM15) | RM13 | + 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 56 (RM64) | RM74 | - 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (RM10) | RM4.93 | + 100% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.97 (RM4.58) | RM3.49 | + 31% | |
| Housing | + 183% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 183% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,160 (RM10,568) | RM3,019 | + 250% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,658 (RM7,681) | RM2,197 | + 250% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 811 (RM936) | RM285 | + 229% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,412 (RM6,244) | RM1,908 | + 227% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,534 (RM4,077) | RM1,210 | + 237% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 (RM630) | RM872 | - 28% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 343 (RM396) | RM113 | + 251% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,466 (RM1,692) | RM2,827 | - 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (RM380) | RM537 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (RM50) | RM28 | + 80% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 44 (RM51) | RM36 | + 43% | |
| Clothes | + 70% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 70% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (RM260) | RM193 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 (RM239) | RM122 | + 95% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (RM394) | RM296 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 344 (RM397) | RM246 | + 61% | |
| Transportation | + 75% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 75% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 97,182 (RM112,121) | RM162,896 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.42 (RM3.95) | RM2.31 | + 71% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 283 (RM327) | RM86 | + 281% | |
| Personal Care | + 69% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 69% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (RM26) | RM9 | + 178% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (RM43) | RM16 | + 179% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (RM379) | RM149 | + 155% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (RM30) | RM44 | - 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 (RM20) | RM11 | + 88% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (RM27) | RM15 | + 84% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 14 (RM16) | RM20 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 19 (RM22) | RM7 | + 198% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 (RM63) | RM34 | + 84% | |
| Entertainment | + 89% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 89% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 196 (RM226) | RM126 | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (RM112) | RM38 | + 198% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 237 (RM274) | RM271 | + 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 332 (RM383) | RM111 | + 244% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 (RM89) | RM100 | - 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (RM25) | RM14 | + 80% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (RM52) | RM18 | + 194% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,845 (RM2,128) | RM2,145 | - 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.53 (RM0.61) | RM0.24 | + 158% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 296 (RM342) | RM158 | + 116% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (RM22) | RM17 | + 28% | |
| TOTAL | + 101% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.154
MYR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,612 prices entered by 347 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 101% more expensive than in Malaysia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 81% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Albania is 4% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Andorra is 92% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Armenia is 26% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Angola is 43% more expensive than in Malaysia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 112% more expensive than in Malaysia