Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 27% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Bangkok or in Kuala Lumpur? You can help!
Improve the prices for Bangkok! Improve the prices for Kuala Lumpur!
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 706 prices entered by 123 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 12% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM21 (162 ฿) | 246 ฿ | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM19 (150 ฿) | 197 ฿ | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM12 (91 ฿) | 63 ฿ | + 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (63 ฿) | 68 ฿ | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 (96 ฿) | 83 ฿ | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (65 ฿) | 93 ฿ | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (212 ฿) | 324 ฿ | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 (96 ฿) | 84 ฿ | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM6 (48 ฿) | 55 ฿ | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (102 ฿) | 53 ฿ | + 94% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM71 (552 ฿) | 807 ฿ | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.95 (38 ฿) | 43 ฿ | - 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.65 (36 ฿) | 57 ฿ | - 36% | |
| Housing | - 27% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 27% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,228 (32,726 ฿) | 60,829 ฿ | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,571 (19,899 ฿) | 27,138 ฿ | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM307 (2,376 ฿) | 4,285 ฿ | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,500 (19,350 ฿) | 26,770 ฿ | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,641 (12,703 ฿) | 13,569 ฿ | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM209 (1,617 ฿) | 1,849 ฿ | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM114 (883 ฿) | 395 ฿ | + 123% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,528 (11,823 ฿) | 8,599 ฿ | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM398 (3,079 ฿) | 2,476 ฿ | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (195 ฿) | 181 ฿ | + 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM31 (239 ฿) | 300 ฿ | - 21% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 (1,913 ฿) | 1,997 ฿ | - 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM164 (1,270 ฿) | 1,283 ฿ | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM343 (2,652 ฿) | 2,796 ฿ | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM324 (2,505 ฿) | 2,860 ฿ | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM154,636 (1,196,831 ฿) | 1,042,320 ฿ | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.41 (19 ฿) | 38 ฿ | - 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM52 (404 ฿) | 1,625 ฿ | - 75% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM31 (241 ฿) | 406 ฿ | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 22% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM13 (102 ฿) | 71 ฿ | + 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM28 (216 ฿) | 284 ฿ | - 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM82 (637 ฿) | 1,316 ฿ | - 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (198 ฿) | 147 ฿ | + 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (88 ฿) | 107 ฿ | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (113 ฿) | 155 ฿ | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (53 ฿) | 65 ฿ | - 17% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM9 (69 ฿) | 68 ฿ | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM42 (324 ฿) | 392 ฿ | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 17% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM133 (1,029 ฿) | 824 ฿ | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM40 (310 ฿) | 469 ฿ | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 (1,603 ฿) | 3,393 ฿ | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM143 (1,110 ฿) | 2,372 ฿ | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM41 (315 ฿) | 365 ฿ | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (104 ฿) | 108 ฿ | - 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (180 ฿) | 127 ฿ | + 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,136 (16,530 ฿) | 25,369 ฿ | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.47 (3.66 ฿) | 3.19 ฿ | + 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM208 (1,611 ฿) | 1,900 ฿ | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (137 ฿) | 137 ฿ | - 0% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 27% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 706 prices entered by 123 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 21, 2024.
Exchange rate:
7.740
THB
/
MYR
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Dublin is about the same as in Melbourne
- Cost of living in Madrid is 6% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Paris is 30% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Toronto is 47% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Calgary is about the same as in Victoria
- Cost of living in Montevideo is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 80% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Madrid is 22% cheaper than in Warsaw
- Cost of living in London is 24% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Tokyo is 44% cheaper than in Singapore
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 195,000 ฿ in Bangkok you would need to make just about 141,813 ฿ (RM18,323) in Kuala Lumpur.
Do you live in Bangkok? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangalore (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bekasi (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Jakarta (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Tangerang (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Singapore
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chengdu (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Palembang (Indonesia)
Prices recently added
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Karachi costs ₨1,000 (about 2 hours ago)
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in Virginia Beach, Virginia costs $11 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Yekaterinburg costs руб 56 (about 3 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Salvador costs $30 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Melbourne costs AU$24 (about 5 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in São Paulo costs R$ 5,000 (about 6 hours ago)