Cost of living

Malaysia

compared to

South Africa

hira
Malaysia
South Africa
Cost of living one person
$646
$981
Cost of living Family
$1340
$2136
One person rent
$398
$523
Family rent
$1293
$1266
Food expenses
$267
$313
Transport expenses
$41.66
$119.7
Monthly salary after tax
$1050.63
$1427.04
Quality of life
32.8
32.83
Human freedom index
7.62
5.89
Life expectancy
87.15
63.73
English speaking %
61.16%
33.58%
Population
31.5M
57.8M

The average cost of living in Malaysia ($646) is 35% less expensive than in South Africa ($981). Malaysia ranked 149th vs 89th for South Africa in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.7 months in Malaysia compared to 1.5 months in South Africa .

Eating Out
Malaysia
South Africa
Lunch Menu
$2.61
$9.96
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2
$20.24
$35.97
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's
$3.72
$4.79
Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz
$4.61
$1.87
Cappuccino
$2.15
$2.22
Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz
$0.76
$0.94
Rent & Utilities
Malaysia
South Africa
1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2
$356.49
$486.65
Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2
$199.13
$296.11
3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2
$675.7
$769.62
Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2
$451.96
$708.84
Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc.
$35.92
$55.88
Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc.
$46.17
$109.45
Internet plan, 50 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited
$25.37
$49.59
Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years
$3.19
$10.18
Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2
$2036
$1348
House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2
$1114
$998
Transportation
Malaysia
South Africa
Local transport ticket
$0.78
$1.55
Monthly ticket local transport
$19.46
$52.07
Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi
$7.84
$7.95
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal
$0.45
$1.29
Groceries
Malaysia
South Africa
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt
$1.76
$0.93
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb
$1.13
$0.87
Rice, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$1.2
$1.21
Eggs, x12
$2.14
$2.51
Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$16.07
$9.77
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$4.54
$4.56
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$9.22
$6.79
Apples, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$2.38
$1.53
Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$1.24
$1.74
Oranges, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$3.27
$1.67
Tomato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$1.5
$1.88
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$1.01
$1.66
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb
$1.39
$1.22
Water, 1 L or 1 qt
$0.3
$0.58
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz
$1.18
$1.28
Wine (mid-priced), 750 mL bottle
$20.68
$5.24
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz
$2.46
$1.48
Cigarette pack
$3.92
$3.12
Cold medicince, 1 week
$4.34
$3.77
Hair Shampoo
$4.03
$3.36
Toilet paper, 4 rolls
$1.47
$1.98
Toothpaste, 1 tube
$1.69
$1.17
Other
Malaysia
South Africa
Gym Membership, 1 month
$32.27
$27.61
Cinema Ticket, 1 person
$3.99
$6.28
Doctor's visit
$26.63
$25.25
Haircut, simple
$5.4
$5.61
Brand Jeans
$68.03
$47.91
Brand Sneakers
$54.67
$89.81
Daycare or Preschool, 1 month
$173.34
$198.35
International Primary School, 1 year
$6476
$4295