Cost of living comparison

 South Africa
compared to
 Malaysia
Malaysia vs. South Africa Cost of Living Summary

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.

Malaysia vs. South Africa Cost Breakdown

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: January 2025
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