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

🙂 Solo nomad: Malaysia is 51.1% cheaper than United States without rent, and 69.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Malaysia is 53.9% cheaper than United States without rent, and 66.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.61 MYR 14.26
$20.36 $20.36
-82.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.40 MYR 92.4
$74.3 $74.3
-68.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.60 MYR 18.16
$11.42 $11.42
-59.72%
Cappuccino
$2.72 MYR 10.73
$5.21 $5.21
-47.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 MYR 3.19
$2.62 $2.62
-69.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 MYR 1.70
$2.15 $2.15
-80.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.59 MYR 14.18
$5.84 $5.84
-38.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.60 MYR 18.17
$7.18 $7.18
-35.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 MYR 7.02
$1.08 $1.08
64.81%
White Bread (500g)
$0.99 MYR 3.90
$3.59 $3.59
-72.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 5.60
$4.71 $4.71
-69.85%
Eggs
$2.00 MYR 7.88
$4.38 $4.38
-54.34%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.03 MYR 55.4
$12.67 $12.67
10.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.11 MYR 16.25
$12.40 $12.40
-66.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.29 MYR 32.74
$16.39 $16.39
-49.42%
Apples (1kg)
$2.80 MYR 11.07
$5.16 $5.16
-45.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.43 MYR 5.66
$1.72 $1.72
-16.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.65 MYR 10.46
$4.47 $4.47
-40.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.46 MYR 5.76
$5.01 $5.01
-70.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 MYR 4.40
$2.91 $2.91
-61.86%
Onion (1kg)
$1.24 MYR 4.91
$3.06 $3.06
-59.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 MYR 4.30
$2.16 $2.16
-49.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 MYR 2.16
$2.21 $2.21
-75.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 MYR 16.26
$9.93 $9.93
-58.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.86 MYR 78.4
$14.94 $14.94
32.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 MYR 11.03
$1.91 $1.91
46.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82 MYR 15.07
$3.70 $3.70
3.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Malaysia
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 MYR 2.94
$2.55 $2.55
-70.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.71 MYR 46.25
$65.0 $65.0
-82.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.20 MYR 4.76
$3.69 $3.69
-67.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 MYR 3.02
$1.78 $1.78
-57.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.84 MYR 19.11
$30.24 $30.24
-83.99%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.46 MYR 1.80
$0.95 $0.95
-51.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.8K MYR 161.2K
$29.7K $29.7K
37.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0K MYR 122.5K
$26.3K $26.3K
18.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$50.5 MYR 199
$210 $210
-75.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.22 MYR 40.36
$58.3 $58.3
-82.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.64 MYR 105
$72.1 $72.1
-63.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.00 MYR 142
$45.90 $45.90
-21.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.64 MYR 26.21
$22.20 $22.20
-70.09%
Cinema Ticket
$4.77 MYR 18.85
$14.25 $14.25
-66.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$181 MYR 714
$1,367 $1,367
-86.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,815 MYR 26.9K
$22.8K $22.8K
-70.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.4 MYR 238
$53.0 $53.0
13.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.76 MYR 133
$42.96 $42.96
-21.42%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.1 MYR 293
$89.4 $89.4
-17.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.5 MYR 255
$113 $113
-43.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malaysia
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$401 MYR 1,583
$1,766 $1,766
-77.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$268 MYR 1,058
$1,460 $1,460
-81.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$731 MYR 2,886
$2,865 $2,865
-74.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 MYR 1,823
$2,360 $2,360
-80.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,204 MYR 8,704
$3,427 $3,427
-35.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,217 MYR 4,806
$2,624 $2,624
-53.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malaysia
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$937 MYR 3,699
$4,306 $4,306
-78.25%
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: April 14, 2026

Last update for United States: April 12, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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