Cost of living in Malaysia compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 38% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (£4.39) | £15 | - 70% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 (£3.49) | £7 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (£1.66) | £3.88 | - 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (£1.47) | £1.09 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM13 (£2.26) | £3.73 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (£1.11) | £2.55 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (£4.54) | £4.91 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM15 (£2.62) | £2.09 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM7 (£1.24) | £0.92 | + 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (£2.23) | £2.04 | + 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM83 (£14) | £10 | + 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (£1.06) | £2.14 | - 51% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.71 (£0.81) | £1.05 | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 75% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 75% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,123 (£534) | £2,712 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,984 (£339) | £1,953 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM343 (£59) | £182 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,175 (£372) | £1,652 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,382 (£236) | £1,241 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM168 (£29) | £136 | - 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM81 (£14) | £26 | - 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,622 (£277) | £264 | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM418 (£72) | £90 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM24 (£4.07) | £7 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (£6) | £14 | - 58% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 34% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM246 (£42) | £74 | - 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM150 (£26) | £35 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM338 (£58) | £81 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM319 (£55) | £84 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 75% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 75% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,476 (£26,250) | £28,289 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.40 (£0.41) | £1.43 | - 71% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM55 (£9) | £105 | - 91% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 41% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (£2.79) | £3.64 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM34 (£5.76) | £8 | - 26% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM77 (£13) | £72 | - 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (£4.44) | £3.91 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (£2.38) | £1.93 | + 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (£2.53) | £4.20 | - 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (£1.41) | £2.22 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM14 (£2.37) | £1.90 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (£5.57) | £15 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 44% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Malaysia | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM83 (£14) | £40 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (£6) | £22 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM360 (£61) | £115 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM175 (£30) | £66 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM42 (£7) | £11 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 (£2.56) | £3.74 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (£3.94) | £6 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,135 (£365) | £427 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.50 (£0.09) | £0.10 | - 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM287 (£49) | £41 | + 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (£3.04) | £15 | - 80% | |
| TOTAL | - 62% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.17103
GBP
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,479 prices entered by 508 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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