Cost of Living Comparison Between Malaysia and China Cost of Living Comparison Between Malaysia and China

😐 Solo nomad: Malaysia is 16.1% more expensive than China without rent, and 7% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Malaysia is 9.4% more expensive than China without rent, and 0.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malaysia
China
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.49 MYR 14.72
$2.85 ¥20.46
22.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.21 MYR 97.9
$23.97 ¥172
-3.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.73 MYR 19.96
$4.96 ¥35.61
-4.64%
Cappuccino
$2.71 MYR 11.43
$3.13 ¥22.47
-13.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 MYR 3.33
$0.44 ¥3.18
79.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 MYR 1.81
$0.29 ¥2.1
48.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.6 MYR 15.19
$0.95 ¥6.83
278.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65 MYR 19.61
$2.14 ¥15.32
117.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malaysia
China
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 MYR 7.81
$1.85 ¥13.23
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 MYR 4.26
$1.68 ¥12.06
-39.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.4 MYR 5.88
$0.95 ¥6.81
47.37%
Eggs
$2.07 MYR 8.74
$1.55 ¥11.11
33.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.84 MYR 58.4
$13.25 ¥95.1
4.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.96 MYR 16.7
$3.28 ¥23.52
20.73%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.38 MYR 35.34
$10.85 ¥77.8
-22.76%
Apples (1kg)
$2.9 MYR 12.23
$1.77 ¥12.66
63.84%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 6
$1.26 ¥9.01
12.70%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.58 MYR 10.88
$1.5 ¥10.73
72.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 MYR 6.45
$1.19 ¥8.5
28.57%
Potato (1kg)
$1.09 MYR 4.59
$0.75 ¥5.4
45.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.19 MYR 5.03
$0.86 ¥6.15
38.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 MYR 4.59
$0.61 ¥4.37
78.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 MYR 2.29
$0.58 ¥4.14
-6.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.28 MYR 18.06
$3.45 ¥24.74
24.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.12 MYR 76.4
$11.3 ¥81.1
60.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 MYR 11.83
$0.84 ¥6
234.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 MYR 15.47
$1.68 ¥12.05
118.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Malaysia
China
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.68 MYR 2.85
$0.4 ¥2.86
70.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.97 MYR 50.5
$20.83 ¥149
-42.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 MYR 4.9
$1.36 ¥9.74
-14.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.75 MYR 3.16
$0.35 ¥2.55
114.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.9 MYR 20.67
$6.8 ¥48.75
-27.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.49 MYR 2.08
$1.12 ¥8.05
-56.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3K MYR 165.8K
$19.2K ¥137.7K
104.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31K MYR 130.8K
$16.7K ¥119.8K
85.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malaysia
China
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.1 MYR 215
$51.4 ¥369
-0.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.1 MYR 42.57
$9.77 ¥70.1
3.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.48 MYR 112
$11.34 ¥81.3
133.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malaysia
China
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.9 MYR 151
$39.55 ¥284
-9.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.63 MYR 27.98
$14.89 ¥107
-55.47%
Cinema Ticket
$4.63 MYR 19.52
$6.23 ¥44.71
-25.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malaysia
China
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$180 MYR 758
$417 ¥2,989
-56.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,794 MYR 28.6K
$17.7K ¥126.8K
-61.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malaysia
China
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.2 MYR 258
$45.65 ¥327
34.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.88 MYR 143
$33.49 ¥240
1.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.1 MYR 317
$71.8 ¥515
4.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5 MYR 276
$72.9 ¥523
-10.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malaysia
China
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$401 MYR 1,691
$445 ¥3,194
-9.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$266 MYR 1,122
$255 ¥1,830
4.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$715 MYR 3,017
$915 ¥6,566
-21.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 MYR 1,922
$543 ¥3,895
-16.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,049 MYR 8,640
$6,142 ¥44.1K
-66.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,222 MYR 5,154
$2,860 ¥20.5K
-57.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malaysia
China
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$895 MYR 3,775
$942 ¥6,755
-4.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.2
4.06
3.45%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Malaysia: October 29, 2025

Last update for China: October 29, 2025

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