Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tashkent and Bukit Mertajam

For one person, living is cheaper in Bukit Mertajam: $623 a month against $1,038 in Tashkent, rent and utilities included – about $5,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tashkent
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
$1,038
/mo nomad
Bukit Mertajam
🇲🇾 Malaysia
$623
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tashkent and in Bukit Mertajam

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tashkent and in Bukit Mertajam actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,038 in Tashkent versus $623 in Bukit Mertajam.

  • Tashkent $1,038
  • Bukit Mertajam $623

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,636 in Tashkent versus $979 in Bukit Mertajam.

  • Tashkent $1,636
  • Bukit Mertajam $979

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,234 in Tashkent versus $1,335 in Bukit Mertajam.

  • Tashkent $2,234
  • Bukit Mertajam $1,335

Living in Tashkent is roughly 67% more expensive than in Bukit Mertajam, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tashkent 23% lower, Bukit Mertajam 54% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.54 UZS 78.8K
$1.93 MYR 7.87
238.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.23 UZS 412.5K
$20.63 MYR 84.2
65.92%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.12 UZS 61.7K
$3.93 MYR 16.03
30.28%
Cappuccino
$2.62 UZS 31.6K
$3.14 MYR 12.80
-16.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 UZS 8,593
$0.72 MYR 2.93
-1.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 UZS 3,921
$0.47 MYR 1.93
-29.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 UZS 26.0K
$4.30 MYR 17.52
-49.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 UZS 45.7K
$6.05 MYR 24.69
-37.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 UZS 15.2K
$1.74 MYR 7.10
-27.59%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 UZS 10.4K
$1.12 MYR 4.58
-23.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.64 UZS 19.8K
$1.94 MYR 7.91
-15.46%
Eggs
$1.78 UZS 21.4K
$2.52 MYR 10.26
-29.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.93 UZS 95.5K
$14.07 MYR 57.4
-43.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.19 UZS 50.5K
$4.34 MYR 17.71
-3.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.60 UZS 151.8K
$9.65 MYR 39.35
30.57%
Apples (1kg)
$1.53 UZS 18.5K
$3.49 MYR 14.24
-56.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.80 UZS 21.7K
$1.79 MYR 7.32
0.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.32 UZS 28.0K
$2.31 MYR 9.42
0.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.71 UZS 20.7K
$1.53 MYR 6.23
11.76%
Potato (1kg)
$0.55 UZS 6,683
$1.33 MYR 5.42
-58.65%
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 UZS 4,526
$1.41 MYR 5.76
-73.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 UZS 12.4K
$1.12 MYR 4.57
-8.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 UZS 5,799
$0.67 MYR 2.72
-28.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07 UZS 24.9K
$4.32 MYR 17.64
-52.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.66 UZS 92.3K
$19.48 MYR 79.5
-60.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36 UZS 16.4K
$3.65 MYR 14.91
-62.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64 UZS 43.9K
$5.05 MYR 20.60
-27.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.16 UZS 1,937
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.52 UZS 150.8K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 UZS 9,790
$1.19 MYR 4.84
-31.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 UZS 4,376
$1.25 MYR 5.11
-71.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.30 UZS 39.8K
$5.03 MYR 20.50
-34.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 UZS 13.9K
$0.87 MYR 3.54
32.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.6K UZS 200.4M
$41.2K MYR 168.3K
-59.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K UZS 289.1M
$34.4K MYR 140.4K
-30.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$68.1 UZS 821.0K
$62.4 MYR 255
9.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.49 UZS 54.1K
$8.54 MYR 34.85
-47.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.64 UZS 164.4K
$26.31 MYR 107
-48.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 UZS 754.2K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.78 UZS 226.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.98 UZS 72.1K
$5.06 MYR 20.65
18.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$328 UZS 4.0M
$242 MYR 989
35.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,455 UZS 113.9M
$13.0K MYR 52.9K
-27.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.10 UZS 591.7K
$71.6 MYR 292
-31.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.8 UZS 708.4K
$41.95 MYR 171
40.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 UZS 1.4M
$87.5 MYR 357
29.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140 UZS 1.7M
$97.3 MYR 397
43.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$600 UZS 7.2M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$382 UZS 4.6M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,210 UZS 14.6M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$714 UZS 8.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,585 UZS 19.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$945 UZS 11.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tashkent
Bukit Mertajam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$711 UZS 8.6M
$567 MYR 2,312
25.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
23.31
4.18
457.66%

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

Last update for Tashkent: October 12, 2026

Last update for Bukit Mertajam: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tashkent
$382
Bukit Mertajam
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Tashkent
$195
Bukit Mertajam
$271 38.7% $76
Clothing & Footwear
Tashkent
$162
Bukit Mertajam
$134 17.2% $28
Eating Out
Tashkent
$122
Bukit Mertajam
$103 15.2% $19
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tashkent
$86
Bukit Mertajam
$97 12.8% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Tashkent
$75
Bukit Mertajam
$10 * 86.4% $64
Getting Around
Tashkent
$16
Bukit Mertajam
$7.5 * 52.8% $8.3

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Tashkent pays 25% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $34.00 in Tashkent vs $21.00 in Bukit Mertajam. Groceries flip the comparison at $195 vs $271, with Tashkent cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇿 Tashkent
🇲🇾 Bukit Mertajam
🕒 Local time
09:49 9:49 AM
12:49 12:49 PM
3 h ahead of Tashkent
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,956,384 Capital
212,329
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MYR, USD, EUR to UZS – Uzbekistani Som Converter

Uzbekistani Som exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 12,051 UZS (100,000 UZS = 8.3 USD). 1 EUR = 13,548 UZS (100,000 UZS = 7.38 EUR).

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 4.08 MYR (1 MYR = 0.245 USD). 1 EUR = 4.59 MYR (1 MYR = 0.218 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tashkent Bukit Mertajam 5,050 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tashkent
  • Bukit Mertajam

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Tashkent vs Bukit Mertajam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tashkent and in Bukit Mertajam?
Tashkent and Bukit Mertajam differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($1,038 vs $623 including rent). Bukit Mertajam is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tashkent or Bukit Mertajam?
Average pay runs 25% higher in Tashkent, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Tashkent pay roughly 39% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tashkent or Bukit Mertajam?
All in, you'll spend $1,038 per month in Tashkent versus $623 in Bukit Mertajam – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $623 in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,038 in Tashkent, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bukit Mertajam but tight or insufficient in Tashkent. The gap between the two cities makes Bukit Mertajam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tashkent and Bukit Mertajam?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Tashkent or Bukit Mertajam safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tashkent and Bukit Mertajam are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Tashkent or Bukit Mertajam?
Expats usually find Bukit Mertajam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Tashkent. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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