
It’s quite possible to get by on RM 300 (US$80) per month for groceries if you shop in the local stores. Grocery shopping in the international supermarket chains is more expensive, but still often a little cheaper than the U.K. Eating out the popular hawker stalls will cost around RM 7 (US$1.90) and lunch at a food court is less than RM 10 (US$2.70). Fast-food meals from one of the big American chains averages around RM 9 (US$2.50) and a 12-inch pizza from Pizza Hut is RM 27-32 (US$7.40-8.75). A three-course dinner in a good restaurant would be in the region of RM 60 (US$16.40) per person, while lunch at a five-star hotel can be anything from RM 60-100 (US$16.40-27.30). A cup of coffee in a cafe is about RM 6 (US$1.60), while beer served in a bar is likely to cost RM 10 (US$ 2.75). All of these prices are applicable to Kuala Lumpur and are generally lower in other parts of Malaysia.
Some typical prices in supermarkets are as follows:
GENERAL
Bread (white loaf) RM 3.60 / US$0.98
Bread (wheat loaf) RM 6.75 / US$1.85
Butter (500g) RM 6.00 / US$1.65
Cheese (500g) RM 12.80 / US$3.50
Eggs (12, large) RM 4.20 / US$1.15
Rice (1kg) RM 8.00 / US$2.20;
Spaghetti (1kg) RM 7.00 / US$1.90
FRUIT
Apples (1kg) RM 7.35 / US$2.05
Bananas (1kg) RM 4.00 / US$1.10
Oranges (1kg) RM 8.00 / US$2.20
VEGETABLES
Lettuce (1kg) RM 6.00 / RM$1.65
Onions (1kg) RM 6.00 / US$1.65
Potatoes (1kg) RM 3.65 / US$1.00
Tomatoes (1kg) RM 7.00 / US$1.93
MEAT
Bacon (1kg) RM 35.00 / US$9.65
Beef filet (1kg) RM 34.00 / US$9.30
Cooked ham (1kg) RM 35.00 / US$9.65
Ground beef (1kg) RM 3.00 / US$0.85
Lamb chops (1kg) RM 12.00 / US$3.30
Pork chops (1kg) RM 30.00 / US$8.30
Sausages (1kg) RM 25.00 / US$6.90
Whole Chicken (1kg) RM 8.30 / US$2.25
DRINKS
Beer (local, can) RM 4.25 / US$1.15
Beer (imported, can) RM 7.00 / US$1.95
Coca Cola (1 ltr) RM 3.70 / US$1.02
Coffee (instant-125 gr) RM 8.00 / US$2.20
Coffee (ground-500gr) RM 17.50 / US$4.80
Milk (1ltr) RM 4.20 / US$1.15
Mineral water (1ltr) / RM 2.15 / US$0.60
Orange juice (1ltr) RM 6.50 / US$1.80
Wine (fine) RM 65.00 / US$17.90
Wine (table) RM 34.00 / US$9.40
Expect to spend around RM 50 (US$13.65) per month on utilities. Cell phones can be purchased for RM 360 (US$98.50) and a three-minute call costs RM 1.45 (US$0.40). A three-minute call from a landline phone is RM 0.85 (US$0.23). An internet connection will cost in the region of RM 90 (US$24.60) per month.
Public transportation is very efficient and reasonably priced. A daily pass on city buses is just RM 1.00 (US$0.30), while trips to and from the suburbs are RM 2.00 (US$0.60). A monthly rail pass costs RM 100 (US$27.30). Metered taxis charge RM 2.00 (US$0.60) for the first 2km, and RM 0.10 (US$0.03) for every subsequent 200m.
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