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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 99% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 213.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 112.7% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 199.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.97 $19.97
$3.57 MYR 14.03
459.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7 $74.7
$23.15 MYR 91.0
222.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.40 $11.40
$4.80 MYR 18.86
137.50%
Cappuccino
$5.37 $5.37
$2.72 MYR 10.70
97.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$0.79 MYR 3.12
232.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.42 MYR 1.67
390.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.90 $5.90
$3.48 MYR 13.68
69.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.02 $7.02
$4.72 MYR 18.56
48.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.86 MYR 7.30
-41.40%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$1.01 MYR 3.98
251.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.37 MYR 5.38
245.26%
Eggs
$4.30 $4.30
$2.07 MYR 8.12
107.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.01 $13.01
$13.79 MYR 54.2
-5.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.22 $12.22
$4.08 MYR 16.02
199.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.36 $16.36
$8.59 MYR 33.76
90.45%
Apples (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$2.90 MYR 11.40
79.66%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.49 MYR 5.85
14.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$2.67 MYR 10.48
71.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$1.50 MYR 5.91
231.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.11 MYR 4.37
168.47%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$1.18 MYR 4.65
157.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.09 MYR 4.27
107.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$0.57 MYR 2.24
280.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.83 $9.83
$4.16 MYR 16.36
136.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$19.80 MYR 77.8
-23.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.76 MYR 10.84
-30.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.72 MYR 14.61
-3.76%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Malaysia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.74 MYR 2.91
236.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.1 $66.1
$11.71 MYR 46.00
464.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$1.20 MYR 4.73
218.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$0.75 MYR 2.96
137.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.48 $29.48
$4.87 MYR 19.12
505.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$0.50 MYR 1.96
82.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$39.9K MYR 156.7K
-25.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$31.4K MYR 123.5K
-16.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$51.4 MYR 202
300.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.9 $56.9
$9.89 MYR 38.87
475.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.8 $72.8
$26.97 MYR 106
169.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.23 $45.23
$36.92 MYR 145
22.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.84 $21.84
$6.72 MYR 26.39
225.00%
Cinema Ticket
$13.79 $13.79
$4.74 MYR 18.63
190.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,355 $1,355
$182 MYR 716
644.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.6K $22.6K
$6,909 MYR 27.2K
226.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$60.9 MYR 239
-15.72%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.37 $42.37
$33.56 MYR 132
26.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 $88.6
$76.3 MYR 300
16.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$66.6 MYR 262
72.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Malaysia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,763 $1,763
$393 MYR 1,546
348.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,432 $1,432
$269 MYR 1,059
431.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,827 $2,827
$725 MYR 2,851
289.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,358 $2,358
$466 MYR 1,831
406.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,391 $3,391
$2,195 MYR 8,625
54.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,614 $2,614
$1,239 MYR 4,871
110.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,326 $4,326
$926 MYR 3,640
367.13%
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: March 3, 2026

Last update for Malaysia: March 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated January 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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