Cost of living comparison
Malaysia is 4.7% cheaper than South Africa overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 38.9% less in Malaysia
- Groceries
-
pay 21.6% more in Malaysia
- Transportation
-
pay 21.7% less in Malaysia
- Housing
-
pay 36.5% less in Malaysia
- Childcare
-
pay 29.1% more in Malaysia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 26.4% more in Malaysia
- Clothing
-
pay 12.8% less in Malaysia
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, and groceries in Malaysia are more expensive than in South Africa. Expenses including restaurants, housing, transportation, and clothing are lower in Malaysia.
If you lived in Malaysia instead of South Africa, you would:
pay 38.9% less for restaurants
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$8.97
ZAR167.89
|
$2.98
MYR13.40
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$4.77
ZAR89.27
|
$4.23
MYR19.03
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.95
ZAR17.86
|
$0.68
MYR3.05
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.74
ZAR13.87
|
$0.38
MYR1.72
|
|
pay 21.6% more for groceries
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$0.99
ZAR18.54
|
$0.91
MYR4.11
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$3.67
ZAR68.77
|
$7.65
MYR34.43
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.20
ZAR78.56
|
$6.39
MYR28.75
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.23
ZAR41.67
|
$1.97
MYR8.87
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$2.03
ZAR37.95
|
$1.83
MYR8.24
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$0.68
ZAR12.67
|
$1.17
MYR5.28
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.62
ZAR11.55
|
$0.57
MYR2.56
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.64
ZAR12.01
|
$1.21
MYR5.46
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.70
ZAR13.07
|
$0.63
MYR2.84
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.55
ZAR10.36
|
$0.43
MYR1.94
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$0.61
ZAR11.39
|
$0.51
MYR2.29
|
|
pay 21.7% less for transportation
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.99
ZAR93.35
|
$1.77
MYR7.97
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$52.31
ZAR978.84
|
$15.69
MYR70.59
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$20,607.77
ZAR385,612.54
|
$34,330.57
MYR154,487.59
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$8.55
ZAR159.97
|
$6.94
MYR31.22
|
|
pay 36.5% less for housing
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$41.37
ZAR774.11
|
$26.31
MYR118.42
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$382.55
ZAR7,158.34
|
$322.80
MYR1,452.61
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$326.35
ZAR6,106.61
|
$212.35
MYR955.58
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$80.40
ZAR1,504.41
|
$33.00
MYR148.50
|
|
pay 29.1% more for childcare
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$174.12
ZAR3,258.07
|
$163.68
MYR736.55
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$4,033.53
ZAR75,475.36
|
$6,626.64
MYR29,819.88
|
|
pay 26.4% more for entertainment and sports
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$2.11
ZAR39.44
|
$3.66
MYR16.46
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$1.88
ZAR35.23
|
$2.54
MYR11.43
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$2.90
ZAR54.34
|
$4.07
MYR18.30
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$29.50
ZAR552.01
|
$36.32
MYR163.45
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$6.62
ZAR123.89
|
$4.00
MYR17.99
|
|
pay 12.8% less for clothing
South Africa
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$47.72
ZAR892.85
|
$53.15
MYR239.17
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$32.06
ZAR599.89
|
$30.13
MYR135.57
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$90.39
ZAR1,691.36
|
$65.18
MYR293.30
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$81.37
ZAR1,522.54
|
$57.93
MYR260.71
|
|
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