Cost of living comparison
Malaysia is 54.8% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 74.2% less in Malaysia
- Groceries
-
pay 37.8% less in Malaysia
- Transportation
-
pay 44.8% less in Malaysia
- Housing
-
pay 76.1% less in Malaysia
- Childcare
-
pay 79.1% less in Malaysia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 48.6% less in Malaysia
- Clothing
-
pay 23.0% less in Malaysia
Expenses including childcare, housing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, transportation, and groceries are lower in Malaysia.
If you lived in Malaysia instead of United States, you would:
pay 74.2% less for restaurants
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.59
|
$2.98
MYR12.79
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.47
|
$4.23
MYR18.16
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.50
|
$0.68
MYR2.91
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.96
|
$0.38
MYR1.64
|
|
pay 37.8% less for groceries
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.49
|
$0.91
MYR3.92
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.33
|
$7.65
MYR32.86
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.91
|
$6.39
MYR27.44
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.56
|
$1.97
MYR8.47
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.16
|
$1.83
MYR7.86
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.33
|
$1.17
MYR5.04
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$0.57
MYR2.45
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.00
|
$1.21
MYR5.22
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.16
|
$0.63
MYR2.71
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.34
|
$0.43
MYR1.85
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.38
|
$0.51
MYR2.19
|
|
pay 44.8% less for transportation
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$1.77
MYR7.61
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$65.15
|
$15.69
MYR67.38
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,583.67
|
$34,330.57
MYR147,449.82
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.81
|
$6.94
MYR29.79
|
|
pay 76.1% less for housing
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$67.50
|
$26.31
MYR113.02
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,655.99
|
$322.80
MYR1,386.44
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,423.40
|
$212.35
MYR912.04
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$148.34
|
$33.00
MYR141.73
|
|
pay 79.1% less for childcare
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,351.84
|
$163.68
MYR703.00
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,265.44
|
$6,626.64
MYR28,461.42
|
|
pay 48.6% less for entertainment and sports
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.78
|
$3.66
MYR15.71
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.04
|
$2.54
MYR10.91
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.68
|
$4.07
MYR17.46
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$50.84
|
$36.32
MYR156.00
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.30
|
$4.00
MYR17.17
|
|
pay 23.0% less for clothing
United States
|
Malaysia
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.38
|
$53.15
MYR228.27
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.66
|
$30.13
MYR129.40
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.52
|
$65.18
MYR279.93
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.08
|
$57.93
MYR248.83
|
|
Change currency:
Help us improve these prices
ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY
Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Malaysia or United States. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.