Cost of living in United States compared to Malaysia
Currency:
| Food | + 90% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 90% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (RM63) | RM20 | + 212% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (RM34) | RM16 | + 117% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.32 (RM18) | RM9 | + 111% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.87 (RM3.74) | RM6 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.98 (RM13) | RM8 | + 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.02 (RM17) | RM4.70 | + 266% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (RM27) | RM25 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.38 (RM14) | RM10 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.78 (RM8) | RM4.48 | + 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.14 (RM13) | RM11 | + 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (RM62) | RM73 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.94 (RM8) | RM3.97 | + 110% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.03 (RM9) | RM3.29 | + 165% | |
| Housing | + 197% | |||
| Housing in United States is 197% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,267 (RM9,714) | RM3,403 | + 185% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,623 (RM6,954) | RM1,747 | + 298% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $176 (RM755) | RM226 | + 233% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,605 (RM6,880) | RM1,936 | + 255% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,152 (RM4,938) | RM1,170 | + 322% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $107 (RM459) | RM157 | + 193% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 (RM205) | RM102 | + 100% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $299 (RM1,280) | RM1,319 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $117 (RM500) | RM536 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (RM45) | RM20 | + 123% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (RM94) | RM26 | + 257% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 17% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (RM208) | RM242 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (RM194) | RM159 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (RM369) | RM302 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $111 (RM477) | RM303 | + 57% | |
| Transportation | + 60% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 60% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,140 (RM99,168) | RM158,326 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.74 (RM3.17) | RM2.20 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $80 (RM343) | RM96 | + 255% | |
| Personal Care | + 138% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 138% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (RM31) | RM14 | + 120% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (RM87) | RM23 | + 282% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $109 (RM468) | RM67 | + 597% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (RM28) | RM22 | + 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.60 (RM15) | RM13 | + 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.20 (RM22) | RM15 | + 45% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 (RM15) | RM7 | + 113% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.86 (RM8) | RM9 | - 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (RM92) | RM30 | + 207% | |
| Entertainment | + 73% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 73% more expensive than in Malaysia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (RM192) | RM87 | + 121% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (RM105) | RM36 | + 189% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $220 (RM944) | RM200 | + 372% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (RM322) | RM187 | + 73% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (RM51) | RM33 | + 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.83 (RM21) | RM15 | + 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.79 (RM25) | RM22 | + 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $392 (RM1,679) | RM1,865 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.23 (RM0.97) | RM0.36 | + 168% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $52 (RM223) | RM170 | + 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (RM35) | RM17 | + 101% | |
| TOTAL | + 104% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 03, 2020.
Exchange rate:
4.285
MYR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 42,428 prices entered by 5,562 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 104% more expensive than in Malaysia
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