Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 122% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 122% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (RM76) | RM14 | + 464% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (RM40) | RM17 | + 138% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.09 (RM22) | RM8 | + 183% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.99 (RM4.35) | RM7 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.31 (RM15) | RM9 | + 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.43 (RM19) | RM5.82 | + 234% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (RM30) | RM23 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.93 (RM17) | RM11 | + 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.92 (RM8) | RM4.40 | + 92% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.31 (RM15) | RM12 | + 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (RM68) | RM76 | - 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.26 (RM10) | RM5.04 | + 97% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.48 (RM11) | RM3.45 | + 215% | |
| Housing | + 245% | |||
| Housing in United States is 245% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,512 (RM11,022) | RM2,964 | + 272% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,960 (RM8,602) | RM2,132 | + 304% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $202 (RM885) | RM242 | + 266% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,774 (RM7,785) | RM1,877 | + 315% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,344 (RM5,897) | RM1,177 | + 401% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $137 (RM603) | RM231 | + 161% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 (RM247) | RM110 | + 125% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $301 (RM1,320) | RM2,231 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $134 (RM587) | RM344 | + 70% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (RM53) | RM24 | + 121% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 (RM118) | RM21 | + 454% | |
| Clothes | + 46% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 46% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 (RM223) | RM217 | + 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $46 (RM202) | RM132 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (RM405) | RM279 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $121 (RM529) | RM245 | + 116% | |
| Transportation | + 80% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 80% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,479 (RM111,802) | RM157,268 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.07 (RM4.69) | RM2.18 | + 115% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (RM343) | RM92 | + 273% | |
| Personal Care | + 188% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 188% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM32) | RM15 | + 109% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (RM84) | RM20 | + 318% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $123 (RM539) | RM79 | + 585% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (RM33) | RM26 | + 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.14 (RM18) | RM10 | + 86% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.48 (RM24) | RM12 | + 104% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.17 (RM18) | RM7 | + 145% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.05 (RM9) | RM6 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $26 (RM112) | RM48 | + 135% | |
| Entertainment | + 76% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 76% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $49 (RM214) | RM143 | + 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $27 (RM117) | RM34 | + 244% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $190 (RM835) | RM206 | + 305% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $84 (RM368) | RM100 | + 268% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (RM56) | RM101 | - 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.20 (RM23) | RM12 | + 88% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (RM28) | RM15 | + 82% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $490 (RM2,148) | RM2,097 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.17 (RM0.74) | RM0.24 | + 210% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (RM233) | RM154 | + 51% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (RM40) | RM18 | + 119% | |
| TOTAL | + 132% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
4.388
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,582 prices entered by 2,667 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 132% more expensive than in Malaysia
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