Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur vs Abu Dhabi

Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 33% lower than in Abu Dhabi (without rent).

Rent in Kuala Lumpur is 61% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi.

Cost of living including rent in Kuala Lumpur is 50% lower than in Abu Dhabi.

Food in Kuala Lumpur is 33% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi.

Transport in Kuala Lumpur is very similar to Abu Dhabi.

Kuala Lumpur vs. Abu Dhabi Comparision

Kuala Lumpur Abu Dhabi
Cost of Living, including rent
892 $
1,802 $
Without Rent
442 $
662 $
Rent & Utilities
450 $
1,140 $
Food
295 $
442 $
Transport
70 $
69 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,450 $
3,906 $
Quality of Life
76
83
Population
2.0M
1.5M

Compare other cities?

Kuala Lumpur Abu Dhabi

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
4.35 $ 10.9 $
Dinner, for 2 27.4 $ 76.3 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.78 $ 9.62 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.99 $ 10.9 $
Capuccino 3.17 $ 5.81 $
Coke, 330ml 0.85 $ 1.09 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.05 $ 1.79 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.02 $ 1.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.42 $ 2.04 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.5 $ 3.07 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $ 9.41 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.14 $ 7.83 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.2 $ 11.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.94 $ 2.12 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.61 $ 1.8 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.88 $ 1.75 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.18 $ 1.06 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.15 $ 1.24 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.46 $ 0.38 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.2 $ 2.66 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.6 $ 13.6 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.2 $ 2.21 $
Cigarette pack 4.31 $ 6.21 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.72 $ 0.67 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 12.4 $ 24.7 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.51 $ 0.8 $
Taxi, 8 km 9.79 $ 7.28 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 20 $ 90.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.47 $ 5.61 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.34 $ 5.03 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.46 $ 4.83 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.21 $ 4.95 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
48.4 $ 95.9 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
75.4 $ 147 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
27.7 $ 104 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 343 $ 880 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 604 $ 2,207 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 495 $ 1,179 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,006 $ 2,759 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,145 $ 4,957 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,425 $ 4,315 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,450 $ 3,906 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.53 % 5.18 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 46.4 $ 66.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 4.89 $ 13.7 $
Haircut 6.4 $ 13.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 80.1 $ 105 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 59.8 $ 67.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 259 $ 667 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 9,485 $ 12,787 $