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Kota Kinabalu

Malaysia
VS
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Johor Bahru

Malaysia

2 cities · Single person, Moderate lifestyle, One-bedroom apartment · amounts in USD

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At a Glance

💰 Cheapest: Johor Bahru (~1,122 USD) 🛡️ Safest: Kota Kinabalu 🌟 Best QoL: Kota Kinabalu 💡 Best value: Johor Bahru
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Cost of Living Comparison

★ = lowest cost in each category for this scenario.

Category Kota KinabaluJohor Bahru Best
Rent 450 USD 420 USD Johor Bahru
Food 320 USD 290 USD Johor Bahru
Utilities 60 USD 65 USD Kota Kinabalu
Transport 25 USD 30 USD Kota Kinabalu
Healthcare 50 USD 55 USD Kota Kinabalu
Internet 28 USD 28 USD Kota Kinabalu
Entertainment 156 USD 138 USD Johor Bahru
Other 96 USD 96 USD Kota Kinabalu
Total (monthly) 1,185 USD 1,122 USD Johor Bahru
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Score Comparison (0–100, higher is better)

★ = best score in each category.

Score Kota KinabaluJohor Bahru Best
Cost of living 70 68 Kota Kinabalu
Safety 68 62 Kota Kinabalu
Quality of life 74 72 Kota Kinabalu
Internet 80 80 Kota Kinabalu
Healthcare 70 70 Kota Kinabalu
Transport 72 74 Johor Bahru
Nightlife 72 68 Kota Kinabalu
Climate 84 84 Kota Kinabalu
English 84 84 Kota Kinabalu
Visa ease 76 76 Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Safety
68
Quality of life
74
Internet
80
Healthcare
70
Transport
72
Nightlife
72

Johor Bahru

Safety
62
Quality of life
72
Internet
80
Healthcare
70
Transport
74
Nightlife
68