While many people think relocating overseas will drastically reduce grocery bills, one influencer family aimed to set the record straight in a YouTube video.
Here's what to know
The family, which relocated from Canada to Malaysia, documented a trip to their local grocery store to illustrate that moving abroad does not automatically produce across-the-board savings at the checkout. Some everyday items cost far less than they did in Canada, while imported products pushed the total back up.
"Some things are definitely more affordable, and some things that are imported, they're not," the family of six summarized in the video.
Rather than doing a general cost-of-living rundown, the family used a normal supermarket trip to compare Malaysian prices with what they had experienced back in Canada, with a joking nod to the U.S., as well.
Some products did jump out for their dramatic price differences, with perhaps the most impressive being "30 eggs for 15 ringgit."
Fifteen ringgit is equivalent to about $3.67 in the U.S.
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In addition to food, the family also shared the prices of household supplies.
After noting that "they don't have Bounty paper towel," the family chose an eight-roll Scott pack priced at 12.89 ringgit ($3.16).
When it came to trash bags, the family described one 23-ringgit ($5.63) option as "kind of excessive."
Here's what commenters said
People in the comments pointed out that the family's store choice likely mattered. Several suggested the supermarket shown in the video was on the expensive side for some categories, particularly imported items.
"For fresh local vegetable and local fruit, try check out at local wet market," recommended one commenter. "It is cheaper."
Others said the family's bigger issue was buying imported brands instead of local ones.
"You guys need to adapt to local brands," said another commenter. "Of course everything that is imported from Canada or US is super expensive."
Where can I learn more?
In recent years, grocery-store sticker shock has been hitting buyers around the world. These articles track staple food prices rising across Asia and Africa as weather, trade, and supply strains hit household budgets.
• In South Korea, staple food prices are rising at an alarming rate.
• In Enugu, Nigeria, a once-affordable staple now costs far more for families.
• In Bangladesh, prolonged rains ravage crops and send everyday food prices higher.
• Across global markets, soaring pantry staple prices threaten to lift grocery bills again.
• Across South India, prices of coconut oil have surged for homes and restaurants.
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