Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 150% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 150% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (RM92) | RM17 | + 439% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (RM49) | RM19 | + 163% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.75 (RM27) | RM9 | + 191% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (RM5.12) | RM8 | - 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.96 (RM23) | RM10 | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.64 (RM22) | RM6 | + 246% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (RM32) | RM27 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.53 (RM21) | RM12 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.37 (RM11) | RM4.73 | + 137% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.26 (RM15) | RM12 | + 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (RM75) | RM66 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.91 (RM14) | RM4.72 | + 192% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.84 (RM13) | RM3.69 | + 264% | |
| Housing | + 225% | |||
| Housing in United States is 225% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,957 (RM13,973) | RM4,011 | + 248% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,262 (RM10,688) | RM2,283 | + 368% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $223 (RM1,053) | RM254 | + 314% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,989 (RM9,397) | RM2,402 | + 291% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,510 (RM7,135) | RM1,376 | + 419% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $151 (RM712) | RM863 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (RM301) | RM111 | + 170% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $293 (RM1,386) | RM1,876 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $144 (RM681) | RM907 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (RM66) | RM33 | + 101% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (RM154) | RM36 | + 325% | |
| Clothes | + 48% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 48% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (RM265) | RM223 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (RM224) | RM142 | + 58% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 (RM451) | RM318 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $126 (RM596) | RM314 | + 90% | |
| Transportation | + 177% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 177% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,861 (RM131,659) | RM150,880 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 (RM4.86) | RM2.07 | + 135% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 (RM392) | RM51 | + 665% | |
| Personal Care | + 204% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 204% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (RM41) | RM9 | + 335% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 (RM117) | RM21 | + 462% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $152 (RM718) | RM91 | + 688% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (RM42) | RM44 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.94 (RM23) | RM11 | + 120% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (RM32) | RM14 | + 132% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.89 (RM23) | RM20 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.17 (RM10) | RM7 | + 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (RM138) | RM28 | + 390% | |
| Entertainment | + 131% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 131% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| United States | Malaysia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $57 (RM267) | RM115 | + 132% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (RM136) | RM41 | + 230% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $230 (RM1,086) | RM211 | + 414% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (RM433) | RM129 | + 237% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (RM66) | RM41 | + 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.39 (RM25) | RM13 | + 91% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (RM31) | RM19 | + 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $555 (RM2,624) | RM2,145 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (RM0.94) | RM0.17 | + 464% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $60 (RM285) | RM201 | + 41% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (RM49) | RM18 | + 173% | |
| TOTAL | + 173% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.726
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,348 prices entered by 2,867 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 173% more expensive than in Malaysia
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