Cost of Living Comparison Between Malaysia and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Malaysia and United States

🙂 Solo nomad: Malaysia is 51.6% cheaper than United States without rent, and 69.6% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Malaysia is 53.3% cheaper than United States without rent, and 66.9% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.49 MYR 14.72
$20.33 $20.33
-82.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.21 MYR 97.9
$74.4 $74.4
-68.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.73 MYR 19.96
$11.49 $11.49
-58.83%
Cappuccino
$2.71 MYR 11.43
$5.09 $5.09
-46.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 MYR 3.33
$2.54 $2.54
-68.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 MYR 1.81
$2.11 $2.11
-79.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.6 MYR 15.19
$6.09 $6.09
-40.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65 MYR 19.61
$7.1 $7.1
-34.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 MYR 7.81
$1.08 $1.08
71.30%
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 MYR 4.26
$3.7 $3.7
-72.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.4 MYR 5.88
$4.65 $4.65
-69.89%
Eggs
$2.07 MYR 8.74
$4.21 $4.21
-50.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.84 MYR 58.4
$12.75 $12.75
8.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.96 MYR 16.7
$12.24 $12.24
-67.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.38 MYR 35.34
$16.08 $16.08
-47.89%
Apples (1kg)
$2.9 MYR 12.23
$5.41 $5.41
-46.40%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 6
$1.73 $1.73
-17.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.58 MYR 10.88
$4.37 $4.37
-40.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 MYR 6.45
$4.94 $4.94
-69.03%
Potato (1kg)
$1.09 MYR 4.59
$2.88 $2.88
-62.15%
Onion (1kg)
$1.19 MYR 5.03
$3.07 $3.07
-61.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 MYR 4.59
$2.25 $2.25
-51.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 MYR 2.29
$2.21 $2.21
-75.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.28 MYR 18.06
$10.09 $10.09
-57.58%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.12 MYR 76.4
$14.73 $14.73
23.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 MYR 11.83
$1.91 $1.91
47.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 MYR 15.47
$3.54 $3.54
3.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Malaysia
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.68 MYR 2.85
$2.56 $2.56
-73.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.97 MYR 50.5
$63.9 $63.9
-81.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 MYR 4.9
$3.81 $3.81
-69.55%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.75 MYR 3.16
$1.77 $1.77
-57.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.9 MYR 20.67
$30.4 $30.4
-83.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.49 MYR 2.08
$0.94 $0.94
-47.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3K MYR 165.8K
$30K $30K
31.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31K MYR 130.8K
$25.8K $25.8K
20.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.1 MYR 215
$209 $209
-75.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.1 MYR 42.57
$57.9 $57.9
-82.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.48 MYR 112
$71.1 $71.1
-62.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.9 MYR 151
$45.88 $45.88
-21.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.63 MYR 27.98
$22.25 $22.25
-70.20%
Cinema Ticket
$4.63 MYR 19.52
$14.14 $14.14
-67.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$180 MYR 758
$1,373 $1,373
-86.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,794 MYR 28.6K
$22.4K $22.4K
-69.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.2 MYR 258
$51.5 $51.5
18.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.88 MYR 143
$41.96 $41.96
-19.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.1 MYR 317
$88.3 $88.3
-15.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5 MYR 276
$112 $112
-41.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malaysia
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$401 MYR 1,691
$1,731 $1,731
-76.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$266 MYR 1,122
$1,446 $1,446
-81.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$715 MYR 3,017
$2,846 $2,846
-74.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 MYR 1,922
$2,366 $2,366
-80.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,049 MYR 8,640
$3,245 $3,245
-36.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,222 MYR 5,154
$2,667 $2,667
-54.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$895 MYR 3,775
$4,312 $4,312
-79.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.2
6.51
-35.48%

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

Last update for Malaysia: October 29, 2025

Last update for United States: October 27, 2025

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