Cost of living in Kuching is 18% lower than in Kuala Lumpur (without rent).
Rent in Kuching is 41% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur.
Cost of living including rent in Kuching is 29% lower than in Kuala Lumpur.
Food in Kuching is 16% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur.
Transport in Kuching is 44% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur.
| Kuching | Kuala Lumpur | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living, including rent | ||
| Without Rent | ||
| Rent & Utilities | ||
| Food | ||
| Transport | ||
| Monthly Salary, after tax | ||
| Quality of Life | ||
| Population |
| Kuching | Kuala Lumpur | |
|---|---|---|
Restaurants |
||
| Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant |
2.55 $ | 4.35 $ |
| Dinner, for 2 | 21.1 $ | 27.4 $ |
| Fast food, McDonalds or KFC | 4.45 $ | 4.78 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 3.53 $ | 4.99 $ |
| Capuccino | 2.89 $ | 3.17 $ |
| Coke, 330ml | 0.76 $ | 0.85 $ |
Markets |
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.65 $ | 2.05 $ |
| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb | 0.99 $ | 1.02 $ |
| Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb | 0.98 $ | 1.42 $ |
| Eggs, 12 pack | 1.92 $ | 2.5 $ |
| Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb | 12.8 $ | 14.7 $ |
| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.47 $ | 5.14 $ |
| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb | 7.47 $ | 10.2 $ |
| Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.02 $ | 2.94 $ |
| Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.21 $ | 1.61 $ |
| Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.81 $ | 2.88 $ |
| Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb | 0.98 $ | 1.18 $ |
| Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.24 $ | 1.15 $ |
| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.45 $ | 0.46 $ |
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz | 0.92 $ | 1.2 $ |
| Wine, 750 mL bottle | 18.3 $ | 17.6 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.98 $ | 3.2 $ |
| Cigarette pack | 4.19 $ | 4.31 $ |
Transport |
||
| Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket | 0.24 $ | 0.72 $ |
| Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket | 16 $ | 12.4 $ |
| Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.52 $ | 0.51 $ |
| Taxi, 8 km | 10.5 $ | 9.79 $ |
Personal Care |
||
| Doctor visit, private clinic | 16 $ | 20 $ |
| Cold medicine, for 1 week | 2.67 $ | 3.47 $ |
| Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz | 3.48 $ | 3.34 $ |
| Toilet paper, 4 rolls | 1.54 $ | 1.46 $ |
| Toothpaste, 1 tube | 1.48 $ | 2.21 $ |
Utilities per Month |
||
| Utility bill - 1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
30.7 $ | 48.4 $ |
| Utility bill - family, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
47.2 $ | 75.4 $ |
| Internet plan, +60 Mbps |
32.8 $ | 27.7 $ |
Rent per Month |
||
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m | 179 $ | 343 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m | 354 $ | 604 $ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m | 302 $ | 495 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m | 559 $ | 1,006 $ |
Buy Apartment Price |
||
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center | 1,834 $ | 3,145 $ |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs | 1,363 $ | 1,425 $ |
Salaries and Financing |
||
| Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax | 534 $ | 1,450 $ |
| Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate | 4.26 % | 4.53 % |
Sports and Leisure |
||
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 34 $ | 46.4 $ |
| Cinema, 1 seat | 4.7 $ | 4.89 $ |
| Haircut | 4.53 $ | 6.4 $ |
Clothing and Shoes |
||
| Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar | 77.9 $ | 80.1 $ |
| Brand Jeans, Levis 501 | 72.9 $ | 59.8 $ |
Childcare |
||
| Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child | 137 $ | 259 $ |
| International Primary School, yearly for 1 child | 5,173 $ | 9,485 $ |