You can buy the same brand, same size, and same drink but if you earn less, you’re still paying more.
That’s the uncomfortable reality highlighted in a viral Threads post, where one user compared the price of a %Arabica latte in Singapore and Malaysia.
What began as a casual coffee experiment has since sparked serious conversations about income disparity, purchasing power, and the cost of living across Southeast Asia.
Same latte, two Countries, two realities
To kick things off, the user, believed to be an expat shared what appeared to be a lighthearted observation:
I was curious about how expensive Singapore really is, so I did a little experiment. I bought the exact same latte at %Arabica in Singapore and Malaysia.”
But what seemed like a simple comparison soon revealed a much deeper economic contrast.
Here’s what they found:
- Singapore: S$7.40 (≈US$5.40)
- Malaysia: RM24.17 (≈US$5.20)
At first glance, the prices look nearly identical in USD. However, once the user shifted focus from price tags to paychecks, the conversation took on a whole new meaning.
How purchasing power changes everything
This is where the post struck a nerve. Rather than just comparing prices, the user broke down how much of an average person’s daily income would be spent on just one latte in each country:
| Country | Avg. Monthly Income | Daily Income (approx.) | Latte as % of Daily Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | S$6,300 (US$4,600) | S$210 | 0.11% |
| Malaysia | RM4,000 (US$850) | RM133 | 0.71% |
This calculation quickly highlighted the gap. While the latte costs around the same in dollars, it takes up 6.5 times more income for someone in Malaysia than in Singapore.
Real wages vs real cost of living
The post didn’t stop there. It opened the floodgates for Southeast Asian netizens to share their own thoughts and for many, it became clear that the issue wasn’t just about averages, but about real-world realities.
Some pointed out that RM4,000 doesn’t reflect what most Malaysians earn:
“RM4,000 is generous. Most people earn under RM2,500 a month.”
Others noted that even if salaries in both countries are numerically the same, costs still hit harder in lower-income economies:
“Even if you compare RM1,800 vs SGD1,800, the latte is still cheaper for the Singaporean.”
