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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 106.8% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 229.1% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 114.2% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 202.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.33 $20.33
$3.49 MYR 14.72
482.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.4 $74.4
$23.21 MYR 97.9
220.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.49 $11.49
$4.73 MYR 19.96
142.92%
Cappuccino
$5.09 $5.09
$2.71 MYR 11.43
87.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$0.79 MYR 3.33
221.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 $2.11
$0.43 MYR 1.81
390.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.09 $6.09
$3.6 MYR 15.19
69.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.1 $7.1
$4.65 MYR 19.61
52.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.85 MYR 7.81
-41.62%
White Bread (500g)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.01 MYR 4.26
266.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.65 $4.65
$1.4 MYR 5.88
232.14%
Eggs
$4.21 $4.21
$2.07 MYR 8.74
103.38%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.75 $12.75
$13.84 MYR 58.4
-7.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.24 $12.24
$3.96 MYR 16.7
209.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.08 $16.08
$8.38 MYR 35.34
91.89%
Apples (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$2.9 MYR 12.23
86.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.42 MYR 6
21.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.37 $4.37
$2.58 MYR 10.88
69.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.94 $4.94
$1.53 MYR 6.45
222.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$1.09 MYR 4.59
164.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.19 MYR 5.03
157.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25 $2.25
$1.09 MYR 4.59
106.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.54 MYR 2.29
309.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.09 $10.09
$4.28 MYR 18.06
135.75%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.73 $14.73
$18.12 MYR 76.4
-18.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.81 MYR 11.83
-32.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54 $3.54
$3.67 MYR 15.47
-3.54%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Malaysia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.56 $2.56
$0.68 MYR 2.85
276.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$63.9 $63.9
$11.97 MYR 50.5
433.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.81 $3.81
$1.16 MYR 4.9
228.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 $1.77
$0.75 MYR 3.16
136.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.4 $30.4
$4.9 MYR 20.67
520.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$0.49 MYR 2.08
91.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30K $30K
$39.3K MYR 165.8K
-23.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$31K MYR 130.8K
-16.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$209 $209
$51.1 MYR 215
308.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.9 $57.9
$10.1 MYR 42.57
472.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.1 $71.1
$26.48 MYR 112
168.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.88 $45.88
$35.9 MYR 151
27.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.25 $22.25
$6.63 MYR 27.98
235.60%
Cinema Ticket
$14.14 $14.14
$4.63 MYR 19.52
205.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,373 $1,373
$180 MYR 758
664.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$6,794 MYR 28.6K
229.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5 $51.5
$61.2 MYR 258
-15.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.96 $41.96
$33.88 MYR 143
23.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.3 $88.3
$75.1 MYR 317
17.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 $112
$65.5 MYR 276
70.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Malaysia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,731 $1,731
$401 MYR 1,691
331.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,446 $1,446
$266 MYR 1,122
443.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,846 $2,846
$715 MYR 3,017
297.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,366 $2,366
$456 MYR 1,922
419.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,245 $3,245
$2,049 MYR 8,640
58.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,667 $2,667
$1,222 MYR 5,154
118.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,312 $4,312
$895 MYR 3,775
381.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
4.2
55.00%

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

Last update for United States: October 27, 2025

Last update for Malaysia: October 29, 2025

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