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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 104.3% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 225.3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 116.9% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 200.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.36 $20.36
$3.61 MYR 14.26
463.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3 $74.3
$23.40 MYR 92.4
217.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$4.60 MYR 18.16
148.26%
Cappuccino
$5.21 $5.21
$2.72 MYR 10.73
91.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$0.81 MYR 3.19
223.46%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$0.43 MYR 1.70
400.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$3.59 MYR 14.18
62.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$4.60 MYR 18.17
56.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.78 MYR 7.02
-39.33%
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 $3.59
$0.99 MYR 3.90
262.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$1.42 MYR 5.60
231.69%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$2.00 MYR 7.88
119.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.67 $12.67
$14.03 MYR 55.4
-9.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$4.11 MYR 16.25
201.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.39 $16.39
$8.29 MYR 32.74
97.71%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$2.80 MYR 11.07
84.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.43 MYR 5.66
20.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$2.65 MYR 10.46
68.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$1.46 MYR 5.76
243.15%
Potato (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$1.11 MYR 4.40
162.16%
Onion (1kg)
$3.06 $3.06
$1.24 MYR 4.91
146.77%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.16 $2.16
$1.09 MYR 4.30
98.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.55 MYR 2.16
301.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.93 $9.93
$4.12 MYR 16.26
141.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$19.86 MYR 78.4
-24.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.79 MYR 11.03
-31.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70 $3.70
$3.82 MYR 15.07
-3.14%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Malaysia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$0.74 MYR 2.94
244.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.0 $65.0
$11.71 MYR 46.25
455.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 $3.69
$1.20 MYR 4.76
207.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$0.76 MYR 3.02
134.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.24 $30.24
$4.84 MYR 19.11
524.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$0.46 MYR 1.80
106.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$40.8K MYR 161.2K
-27.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$31.0K MYR 122.5K
-15.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$50.5 MYR 199
314.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$10.22 MYR 40.36
470.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.1 $72.1
$26.64 MYR 105
170.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.90 $45.90
$36.00 MYR 142
27.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.20 $22.20
$6.64 MYR 26.21
234.34%
Cinema Ticket
$14.25 $14.25
$4.77 MYR 18.85
198.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,367 $1,367
$181 MYR 714
656.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.8K $22.8K
$6,815 MYR 26.9K
234.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$60.4 MYR 238
-12.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.96 $42.96
$33.76 MYR 133
27.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.4 $89.4
$74.1 MYR 293
20.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$64.5 MYR 255
75.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Malaysia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$401 MYR 1,583
340.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,460 $1,460
$268 MYR 1,058
444.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,865 $2,865
$731 MYR 2,886
292.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,360 $2,360
$462 MYR 1,823
411.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,427 $3,427
$2,204 MYR 8,704
55.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,624 $2,624
$1,217 MYR 4,806
115.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Malaysia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$937 MYR 3,699
359.74%
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: April 12, 2026

Last update for Malaysia: April 14, 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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