A Reddit post asking whether prices in Johor Bahru (JB) are still significantly cheaper than Singapore has sparked comparisons, with shoppers sharing what is actually worth buying across the border.
The original poster said they visited JB recently and were surprised by how much prices had increased.
At a sushi restaurant in Komtar, they felt prices had risen by around 1.5 to 2 times, making some dishes roughly comparable to Singapore prices. They also checked prices at Watsons and found the savings were only around 10%.
Electronics were another plot twist, with some items actually costing more in JB.
However, certain products and services were still noticeably cheaper, including medication, contact lenses, car-related services and some household supplies.
Some Things Are Still Much Cheaper In JB
Several Redditors said pharmaceutical products could cost significantly less, with one commenter claiming some items were at least half the price of Singapore.
Others pointed to everyday essentials such as contact lenses, personal care products, groceries and Malaysian-made brands.
One shopper said products such as Kotex could cost around one-third of Singapore prices, while fabric softener was almost half the price. Malaysian-made biscuits, coffee powder and cooking products were also mentioned as cheaper options.
Another Redditor said groceries could still be much cheaper at mainstream supermarkets rather than premium grocers. Locally produced rice, cooking oil, fruits and vegetables were said to cost at least half as much after conversion, while drinks and some chocolates were also cheaper.
Car Costs Remain A Major JB Draw
For drivers, petrol and car-related services were among the biggest savings mentioned.
The original poster estimated that 60 litres of Malaysia’s RON97 cost around RM280, or roughly S$88. The same amount in Singapore could cost more than S$175 for RON95 or around S$200 for RON98 before discounts.
Another commenter said SG petrol discounts and vouchers can actually shrink the price gap quite a bit.
Car wash services were another popular comparison. One Redditor said a JB car wash costing RM12 included washing, vacuuming, rim cleaning and tyre shine, while a Singapore petrol kiosk could charge around S$13 just to wash the car body.
Car servicing and maintenance were also considered better value in JB.
Food and Entertainment Can Still Be Worth It
Food prices appeared more mixed.
The original poster said lunch for three at Kopi Oriental cost around S$40, compared with around S$60 for similar dishes in Singapore.
Others said food prices depend heavily on the location, with places further from the border potentially offering better value.
Entertainment was another area where JB appeared to have an advantage. One Redditor shared that two IMAX tickets cost around RM66, compared with about S$50 in Singapore. Movies, karaoke and ice skating were also mentioned as cheaper options.
Overall, Redditors agreed that JB is no longer automatically cheaper for everything. While some goods, services, groceries and car-related expenses can still offer savings, shoppers may need to compare prices item by item.
See the post here:
Are JB prices really a lot cheaper vs Singapore??
byu/iamnotabotya inaskSingapore
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