Cost of Living Comparison Between Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur is 30.2% lower than in Tokyo (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Kuala Lumpur is 33.9% lower than in Tokyo | |
| Rent Prices in Kuala Lumpur are 43.9% lower than in Tokyo | |
| Restaurant Prices in Kuala Lumpur are 15.0% lower than in Tokyo | |
| Groceries Prices in Kuala Lumpur are 27.6% lower than in Tokyo | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Kuala Lumpur is 14.9% lower than in Tokyo | |
Restaurants | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant |
1,175.00 ¥ (30.07 RM) |
781.55 ¥ (20.00 RM) |
-33.5 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) |
6,550.00 ¥ (167.62 RM) |
4,689.29 ¥ (120.00 RM) |
-28.4 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) |
800.00 ¥ (20.47 RM) |
781.55 ¥ (20.00 RM) |
-2.3 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) |
500.00 ¥ (12.80 RM) |
703.39 ¥ (18.00 RM) |
+40.7 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
800.00 ¥ (20.47 RM) |
976.94 ¥ (25.00 RM) |
+22.1 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) |
508.25 ¥ (13.01 RM) |
519.70 ¥ (13.30 RM) |
+2.3 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) |
190.46 ¥ (4.87 RM) |
152.73 ¥ (3.91 RM) |
-19.8 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) |
121.75 ¥ (3.12 RM) |
78.22 ¥ (2.00 RM) |
-35.8 % |
Markets | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) |
228.06 ¥ (5.84 RM) |
348.62 ¥ (8.92 RM) |
+52.9 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) |
191.05 ¥ (4.89 RM) |
152.82 ¥ (3.91 RM) |
-20.0 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) |
408.84 ¥ (10.46 RM) |
124.77 ¥ (3.19 RM) |
-69.5 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) |
357.53 ¥ (9.15 RM) |
382.85 ¥ (9.80 RM) |
+7.1 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) |
852.00 ¥ (21.80 RM) |
1,081.52 ¥ (27.68 RM) |
+26.9 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
538.82 ¥ (13.79 RM) |
341.57 ¥ (8.74 RM) |
-36.6 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) |
1,493.60 ¥ (38.22 RM) |
687.91 ¥ (17.60 RM) |
-53.9 % |
| Apples (1 lb) |
348.41 ¥ (8.92 RM) |
228.43 ¥ (5.85 RM) |
-34.4 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) |
168.69 ¥ (4.32 RM) |
125.39 ¥ (3.21 RM) |
-25.7 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) |
319.87 ¥ (8.19 RM) |
190.90 ¥ (4.89 RM) |
-40.3 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
391.36 ¥ (10.01 RM) |
116.77 ¥ (2.99 RM) |
-70.2 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
225.11 ¥ (5.76 RM) |
94.51 ¥ (2.42 RM) |
-58.0 % |
| Onions (1 lb) |
228.29 ¥ (5.84 RM) |
106.81 ¥ (2.73 RM) |
-53.2 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) |
203.20 ¥ (5.20 RM) |
190.50 ¥ (4.88 RM) |
-6.2 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) |
128.77 ¥ (3.30 RM) |
110.78 ¥ (2.84 RM) |
-14.0 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
1,500.00 ¥ (38.39 RM) |
2,930.81 ¥ (75.00 RM) |
+95.4 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) |
292.32 ¥ (7.48 RM) |
529.67 ¥ (13.55 RM) |
+81.2 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
419.29 ¥ (10.73 RM) |
756.71 ¥ (19.36 RM) |
+80.5 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) |
610.00 ¥ (15.61 RM) |
703.39 ¥ (18.00 RM) |
+15.3 % |
Transportation | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) |
210.00 ¥ (5.37 RM) |
117.23 ¥ (3.00 RM) |
-44.2 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) |
12,000.00 ¥ (307.08 RM) |
1,953.87 ¥ (50.00 RM) |
-83.7 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) |
500.00 ¥ (12.80 RM) |
195.39 ¥ (5.00 RM) |
-60.9 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) |
804.67 ¥ (20.59 RM) |
314.45 ¥ (8.05 RM) |
-60.9 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) |
2,940.00 ¥ (75.24 RM) |
781.55 ¥ (20.00 RM) |
-73.4 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) |
176.29 ¥ (4.51 RM) |
93.81 ¥ (2.40 RM) |
-46.8 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) |
3,410,000.00 ¥ (87,262.68 RM) |
6,643,160.59 ¥ (170,000.00 RM) |
+94.8 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) |
2,401,938.46 ¥ (61,466.16 RM) |
5,504,231.56 ¥ (140,854.55 RM) |
+129.2 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) |
24,795.00 ¥ (634.51 RM) |
9,983.50 ¥ (255.48 RM) |
-59.7 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) |
3,682.22 ¥ (94.23 RM) |
1,439.30 ¥ (36.83 RM) |
-60.9 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) |
4,693.75 ¥ (120.11 RM) |
4,277.02 ¥ (109.45 RM) |
-8.9 % |
Sports And Leisure | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership |
10,693.18 ¥ (273.64 RM) |
7,616.85 ¥ (194.92 RM) |
-28.8 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) |
4,277.27 ¥ (109.46 RM) |
1,091.38 ¥ (27.93 RM) |
-74.5 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) |
2,000.00 ¥ (51.18 RM) |
781.55 ¥ (20.00 RM) |
-60.9 % |
Childcare | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child |
169,553.58 ¥ (4,338.92 RM) |
47,554.55 ¥ (1,216.93 RM) |
-72.0 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child |
2,537,222.22 ¥ (64,928.10 RM) |
1,673,626.23 ¥ (42,828.48 RM) |
-34.0 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) |
7,936.84 ¥ (203.11 RM) |
10,435.80 ¥ (267.05 RM) |
+31.5 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) |
5,680.83 ¥ (145.37 RM) |
6,532.88 ¥ (167.18 RM) |
+15.0 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
8,487.22 ¥ (217.19 RM) |
14,282.50 ¥ (365.49 RM) |
+68.3 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes |
12,807.69 ¥ (327.75 RM) |
14,869.96 ¥ (380.53 RM) |
+16.1 % |
Rent Per Month | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
184,084.21 ¥ (4,710.76 RM) |
99,133.23 ¥ (2,536.84 RM) |
-46.1 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
101,866.67 ¥ (2,606.79 RM) |
60,455.06 ¥ (1,547.06 RM) |
-40.7 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
331,380.95 ¥ (8,480.11 RM) |
184,340.70 ¥ (4,717.32 RM) |
-44.4 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
195,056.60 ¥ (4,991.54 RM) |
111,899.13 ¥ (2,863.52 RM) |
-42.6 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
159,182.27 ¥ (4,073.51 RM) |
56,636.64 ¥ (1,449.34 RM) |
-64.4 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
74,058.59 ¥ (1,895.18 RM) |
22,268.65 ¥ (569.86 RM) |
-69.9 % |
Salaries And Financing | Tokyo Edit |
Kuala Lumpur Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
408,775.77 ¥ (10,460.67 RM) |
229,878.57 ¥ (5,882.65 RM) |
-43.8 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 1.70 | 4.47 | +162.2 % |
| Last update: | 12 February 2026 | 14 February 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 155 | 174 | |
Moving to Tokyo? Explore:
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| Cost of Living in Yokohama | 21.92 miles |
| Cost of Living in Saitama | 22.56 miles |
| Cost of Living in Chiba | 29.30 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kamakura | 32.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Yokosuka | 37.13 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hiratsuka | 37.86 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ome | 40.70 miles |
| Cost of Living in Sammu | 56.81 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ashikaga | 72.03 miles |
Cities near Kuala Lumpur: | Cost of Living in Petaling Jaya | 10.15 miles |
| Cost of Living in Subang Jaya | 14.23 miles |
| Cost of Living in Gombak | 17.86 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kuala Selangor | 41.00 miles |
| Cost of Living in Seremban | 42.58 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bentong | 43.45 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tampin | 76.84 miles |
| Cost of Living in Malacca | 88.62 miles |
| Cost of Living in Teluk Intan | 100.55 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tangkak | 100.88 miles |