Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 76% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 76% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (RM61) | RM22 | + 180% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (RM33) | RM16 | + 106% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.25 (RM17) | RM8 | + 106% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (RM3.58) | RM6 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.94 (RM12) | RM7 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.12 (RM17) | RM4.75 | + 251% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (RM26) | RM29 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.29 (RM13) | RM9 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.68 (RM7) | RM3.60 | + 89% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.30 (RM13) | RM11 | + 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (RM57) | RM91 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.99 (RM8) | RM3.74 | + 116% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.06 (RM8) | RM3.76 | + 121% | |
| Housing | + 162% | |||
| Housing in United States is 162% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,211 (RM8,963) | RM3,309 | + 171% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,554 (RM6,299) | RM1,777 | + 254% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (RM720) | RM293 | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,536 (RM6,227) | RM2,240 | + 178% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,119 (RM4,538) | RM1,378 | + 229% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 (RM457) | RM218 | + 109% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 (RM202) | RM94 | + 115% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (RM1,099) | RM1,546 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $128 (RM520) | RM486 | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (RM43) | RM21 | + 107% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (RM88) | RM30 | + 194% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 10% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (RM189) | RM241 | - 22% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (RM176) | RM154 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (RM354) | RM266 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $109 (RM441) | RM308 | + 43% | |
| Transportation | + 50% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 50% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,595 (RM95,650) | RM156,239 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (RM2.59) | RM2.04 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $74 (RM301) | RM91 | + 229% | |
| Personal Care | + 136% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 136% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM29) | RM15 | + 97% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (RM67) | RM16 | + 317% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (RM454) | RM70 | + 547% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (RM27) | RM21 | + 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.45 (RM14) | RM13 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.98 (RM20) | RM16 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.65 (RM15) | RM5.12 | + 189% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (RM7) | RM9 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (RM88) | RM40 | + 123% | |
| Entertainment | + 91% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 91% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 (RM186) | RM82 | + 127% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (RM103) | RM36 | + 185% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $206 (RM835) | RM258 | + 224% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (RM322) | RM196 | + 64% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (RM50) | RM29 | + 71% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.04 (RM20) | RM15 | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.86 (RM24) | RM20 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $421 (RM1,705) | RM1,920 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.51 (RM2.07) | RM0.42 | + 391% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (RM198) | RM156 | + 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (RM33) | RM17 | + 93% | |
| TOTAL | + 93% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
4.054
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 32,786 prices entered by 4,296 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 93% more expensive than in Malaysia
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