Cost of living in Malaysia compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 53% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM15 (₩4,317) | ₩11,825 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (₩4,976) | ₩6,615 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 (₩2,287) | ₩5,632 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (₩1,965) | ₩2,759 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 (₩2,466) | ₩6,581 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM7 (₩1,889) | ₩7,203 | - 74% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 (₩6,291) | ₩16,031 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (₩3,081) | ₩8,264 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.90 (₩1,421) | ₩3,965 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (₩3,810) | ₩3,108 | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM74 (₩21,566) | ₩21,608 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.93 (₩1,428) | ₩3,437 | - 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.49 (₩1,012) | ₩4,184 | - 76% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,019 (₩875,174) | ₩4,654,660 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,197 (₩637,033) | ₩2,343,600 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM285 (₩82,582) | ₩254,267 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,908 (₩553,215) | ₩1,589,470 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,210 (₩350,949) | ₩779,612 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM872 (₩252,868) | ₩86,783 | + 191% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM113 (₩32,666) | ₩32,020 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,827 (₩819,566) | ₩219,090 | + 274% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM537 (₩155,794) | ₩89,516 | + 74% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM28 (₩8,055) | ₩16,029 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (₩10,357) | ₩13,774 | - 25% | |
| Clothes | - 29% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 29% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM193 (₩55,887) | ₩69,705 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM122 (₩35,490) | ₩54,258 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM296 (₩85,942) | ₩82,310 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM246 (₩71,307) | ₩127,854 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 31% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM162,896 (₩47,228,115) | ₩35,091,300 | + 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.31 (₩669) | ₩1,965 | - 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM86 (₩24,833) | ₩59,721 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 38% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 (₩2,728) | ₩8,245 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM16 (₩4,500) | ₩4,500 | - 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM149 (₩43,062) | ₩22,779 | + 89% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 (₩12,757) | ₩21,034 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (₩3,146) | ₩10,694 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (₩4,245) | ₩8,457 | - 50% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 (₩5,896) | ₩5,308 | + 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (₩2,163) | ₩8,235 | - 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM34 (₩9,907) | ₩11,266 | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 46% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Malaysia | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM126 (₩36,498) | ₩30,256 | + 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (₩10,926) | ₩29,287 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM271 (₩78,519) | ₩379,963 | - 79% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM111 (₩32,288) | ₩116,906 | - 72% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM100 (₩29,032) | ₩17,287 | + 68% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (₩3,947) | ₩6,787 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM18 (₩5,101) | ₩5,017 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 (₩621,864) | ₩795,597 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 (₩69) | ₩236 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM158 (₩45,814) | ₩116,074 | - 61% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (₩5,037) | ₩4,500 | + 12% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 710 prices entered by 159 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
289.928
KRW
/
MYR
Cost of living in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in South Korea
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