Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 131% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 131% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $18 (RM82) | RM13 | + 520% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (RM44) | RM17 | + 160% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.31 (RM25) | RM8 | + 206% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.05 (RM4.86) | RM7 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.72 (RM17) | RM12 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.50 (RM21) | RM6 | + 247% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (RM32) | RM23 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.82 (RM18) | RM10 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.87 (RM9) | RM4.60 | + 89% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (RM15) | RM12 | + 22% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (RM73) | RM76 | - 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.45 (RM11) | RM4.38 | + 159% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.38 (RM11) | RM3.40 | + 225% | |
| Housing | + 249% | |||
| Housing in United States is 249% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,461 (RM11,411) | RM2,826 | + 304% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,850 (RM8,579) | RM2,097 | + 309% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $202 (RM938) | RM243 | + 285% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,758 (RM8,154) | RM1,777 | + 359% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,300 (RM6,026) | RM1,133 | + 432% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $135 (RM626) | RM231 | + 170% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $55 (RM253) | RM112 | + 126% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $302 (RM1,399) | RM2,802 | - 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $130 (RM603) | RM478 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (RM59) | RM30 | + 96% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $28 (RM132) | RM33 | + 300% | |
| Clothes | + 67% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 67% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 (RM237) | RM217 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 (RM222) | RM115 | + 92% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $97 (RM450) | RM285 | + 58% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $118 (RM546) | RM245 | + 122% | |
| Transportation | + 85% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 85% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $26,775 (RM124,156) | RM161,394 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.17 (RM5.45) | RM2.07 | + 163% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (RM347) | RM89 | + 291% | |
| Personal Care | + 193% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 193% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM34) | RM9 | + 268% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (RM86) | RM16 | + 451% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $126 (RM585) | RM109 | + 435% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (RM35) | RM26 | + 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.45 (RM21) | RM11 | + 91% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.38 (RM25) | RM15 | + 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.22 (RM20) | RM10 | + 89% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.17 (RM10) | RM7 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $25 (RM117) | RM29 | + 305% | |
| Entertainment | + 97% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 97% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $52 (RM239) | RM144 | + 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $27 (RM125) | RM35 | + 260% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $202 (RM937) | RM206 | + 354% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $91 (RM424) | RM90 | + 370% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (RM62) | RM101 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.48 (RM25) | RM12 | + 110% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (RM30) | RM15 | + 98% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $501 (RM2,325) | RM2,145 | + 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.19 (RM0.89) | RM0.24 | + 277% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (RM251) | RM154 | + 64% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (RM44) | RM18 | + 147% | |
| TOTAL | + 138% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2022.
Exchange rate:
4.637
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,307 prices entered by 2,687 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 138% more expensive than in Malaysia
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