Malaysia

Compared with Japan, using real observed prices.

Baseline: Japan = 1×

Malaysia vs

Japan

Overall verdict

Malaysia is about 0.80× Japan.

Average across 5 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs Japan = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is Japan. A bar running right means Malaysia is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

Japan Japan = 1×

Malaysia is pricier →

📱 Electronics 1 item

×1.12
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×1.12
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×1.00
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.90
⚡ Utilities 2 items

×0.29

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In Malaysia, iPhone (base model, base storage) costs 1.1× what it does in Japan — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.2×. Calling this country simply "expensive" hides a gap this wide.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

iPhone (base model, base storage) 1 unit ×1.12

Malaysia ¥160,129 MYR 3,999

Japan ¥142,800 JPY 142,800

Observed 2026-07-27 · Apple official online store
Big Mac 1 burger ×1.12

Malaysia ¥538 MYR 13.75

Japan ¥480 JPY 480

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.02

Malaysia ¥162 USD 0.995

Japan ¥159 USD 0.976

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×1.00

Malaysia ¥8,769 MYR 219

Japan ¥8,778 JPY 8,778

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×0.80

Malaysia ¥136 USD 0.836

Japan ¥169 USD 1.041

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Natural gas 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.39

Malaysia ¥5 USD 0.029

Japan ¥12 USD 0.075

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.22

Malaysia ¥8 USD 0.05

Japan ¥36 USD 0.227

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com