Cost of living comparison
China is 26.5% more expensive than Malaysia overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 8.4% less in China
- Groceries
-
pay 11.0% less in China
- Transportation
-
pay 26.8% more in China
- Housing
-
pay 8.6% less in China
- Childcare
-
pay 2.8 times more in China
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 1.5% less in China
- Clothing
-
pay 9.4% more in China
The cost of childcare, transportation, and clothing in China are more expensive than in Malaysia. Expenses including groceries, housing, restaurants, and entertainment and sports are lower in China. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in China.
If you lived in China instead of Malaysia, you would:
pay 8.4% less for restaurants
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$2.98
MYR13.24
|
$2.85
CN¥20.66
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$4.23
MYR18.80
|
$5.07
CN¥36.67
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.68
MYR3.02
|
$0.49
CN¥3.54
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.38
MYR1.70
|
$0.30
CN¥2.17
|
|
pay 11.0% less for groceries
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$0.91
MYR4.06
|
$1.59
CN¥11.52
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.65
MYR34.02
|
$5.85
CN¥42.35
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.39
MYR28.40
|
$6.86
CN¥49.66
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$1.97
MYR8.77
|
$1.60
CN¥11.55
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$1.83
MYR8.14
|
$1.54
CN¥11.15
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.17
MYR5.21
|
$0.76
CN¥5.52
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.57
MYR2.53
|
$0.57
CN¥4.15
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.21
MYR5.40
|
$0.65
CN¥4.73
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.63
MYR2.81
|
$0.52
CN¥3.79
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.43
MYR1.92
|
$0.32
CN¥2.32
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.51
MYR2.26
|
$0.40
CN¥2.90
|
|
pay 26.8% more for transportation
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$1.77
MYR7.87
|
$4.44
CN¥32.17
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$15.69
MYR69.75
|
$22.47
CN¥162.65
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$34,330.57
MYR152,650.90
|
$19,071.53
CN¥138,053.11
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$6.94
MYR30.85
|
$3.97
CN¥28.77
|
|
pay 8.6% less for housing
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$26.31
MYR117.01
|
$11.70
CN¥84.66
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$322.80
MYR1,435.34
|
$328.33
CN¥2,376.69
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$212.35
MYR944.21
|
$205.78
CN¥1,489.58
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$33.00
MYR146.73
|
$40.46
CN¥292.87
|
|
pay 2.8 times more for childcare
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$163.68
MYR727.80
|
$459.70
CN¥3,327.62
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$6,626.64
MYR29,465.36
|
$18,318.08
CN¥132,599.08
|
|
pay 1.5% less for entertainment and sports
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$3.66
MYR16.26
|
$1.09
CN¥7.89
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$2.54
MYR11.29
|
$3.07
CN¥22.20
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$4.07
MYR18.08
|
$3.23
CN¥23.40
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$36.32
MYR161.50
|
$41.41
CN¥299.74
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$4.00
MYR17.78
|
$5.93
CN¥42.89
|
|
pay 9.4% more for clothing
|
Malaysia
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$53.15
MYR236.33
|
$48.23
CN¥349.09
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$30.13
MYR133.96
|
$31.67
CN¥229.26
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$65.18
MYR289.81
|
$72.53
CN¥525.00
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$57.93
MYR257.61
|
$75.53
CN¥546.77
|
|
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