Cost of Living in Alor Setar - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $400 (excluding rent), and $653 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $890 (excluding rent), and $1,404 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.29 MYR 9.00

$6.86 MYR 26.97

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$11.61 MYR 45.62

$34.84 MYR 137

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.99 MYR 15.70

$3.82 MYR 15.01

$4.62 MYR 18.17

Cappuccino

$1.66 MYR 6.52

$0.69 MYR 2.70

$3.58 MYR 14.07

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.01

$0.34 MYR 1.33

$1.36 MYR 5.36

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MYR 1.05

$0.23 MYR 0.90

$0.45 MYR 1.76

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.53 MYR 13.87

$5.87 MYR 23.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 MYR 9.44

$5.28 MYR 20.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 MYR 6.32

$1.19 MYR 4.69

$2.39 MYR 9.38

White Bread (500g)

$0.84 MYR 3.29

$0.64 MYR 2.52

$1.18 MYR 4.62

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.51

$1.03 MYR 4.05

$2.39 MYR 9.41

Eggs

$1.45 MYR 5.70

$1.14 MYR 4.47

$2.67 MYR 10.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.74 MYR 46.13

$5.83 MYR 22.91

$23.33 MYR 91.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.10 MYR 12.18

$2.87 MYR 11.26

$7.64 MYR 30.01

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.40 MYR 33.01

$7.20 MYR 28.28

$23.99 MYR 94.3

Apples (1kg)

$2.89 MYR 11.34

$1.68 MYR 6.61

$3.84 MYR 15.11

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 MYR 4.07

$0.92 MYR 3.61

$1.73 MYR 6.80

Oranges (1kg)

$1.43 MYR 5.61

$3.34 MYR 13.13

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 MYR 8.57

$0.96 MYR 3.77

$3.84 MYR 15.10

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 MYR 3.67

$0.72 MYR 2.83

$2.13 MYR 8.39

Onion (1kg)

$0.53 MYR 2.08

$2.64 MYR 10.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 MYR 2.88

$0.36 MYR 1.42

$1.56 MYR 6.12

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$0.27 MYR 1.05

$0.73 MYR 2.87

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.78 MYR 10.91

$4.40 MYR 17.28

Wine (Bottle)

$8.72 MYR 34.28

$19.93 MYR 78.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 MYR 4.52

$2.98 MYR 11.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 MYR 8.12

$4.59 MYR 18.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 2.88

$0.49 MYR 1.91

$0.97 MYR 3.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.59 MYR 45.55

$9.28 MYR 36.47

$11.59 MYR 45.55

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.69 MYR 2.72

$2.30 MYR 9.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 MYR 2.12

$0.23 MYR 0.90

$1.39 MYR 5.46

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.26 MYR 28.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 MYR 1.94

$0.50 MYR 1.98

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.1K MYR 130.1K

$27.9K MYR 109.6K

$38.3K MYR 150.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K MYR 107.0K

$26.9K MYR 105.5K

$33.9K MYR 133.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$37.90 MYR 149

$23.10 MYR 90.8

$57.8 MYR 227

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$7.09 MYR 27.85

$4.72 MYR 18.55

$14.17 MYR 55.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.94 MYR 106

$23.28 MYR 91.5

$39.99 MYR 157

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.23 MYR 146

$20.20 MYR 79.4

$47.54 MYR 187

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.25 MYR 36.35

$4.62 MYR 18.15

$13.87 MYR 54.5

Cinema Ticket

$2.91 MYR 11.44

$8.48 MYR 33.35

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$83.6 MYR 329

$71.7 MYR 282

$334 MYR 1,315

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,299 MYR 20.8K

$3,533 MYR 13.9K

$25.0K MYR 98.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.87 MYR 184

$23.43 MYR 92.1

$93.7 MYR 368

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.61 MYR 112

$21.02 MYR 82.6

$46.72 MYR 184

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.0 MYR 240

$39.90 MYR 157

$117 MYR 461

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.5 MYR 210

$35.84 MYR 141

$71.7 MYR 282

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$289 MYR 1,137

$116 MYR 455

$463 MYR 1,820

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 MYR 678

$70.6 MYR 277

$353 MYR 1,387

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$457 MYR 1,795

$240 MYR 945

$673 MYR 2,645

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$339 MYR 1,333

$140 MYR 552

$538 MYR 2,114

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,729 MYR 6,795

$1,266 MYR 4,975

$1,984 MYR 7,797

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,022 MYR 4,017

$774 MYR 3,041

$1,557 MYR 6,119

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,136 MYR 4,464

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

5.25

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Alor Setar Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Alor Setar - Frequently Asked Questions

Alor Setar offers a balance of affordability and quality that many travelers and long stay visitors appreciate. In general, you can stretch a modest budget further here than in larger coastal cities, with costs concentrated in housing and daily essentials rather than flashy experiences. For long stays, the city’s slower pace supports a comfortable lifestyle when you choose local markets, simple meals, and neighborhood housing over tourist spots. For value, look to historic core areas or older residences that retain character and easy access to markets. Cost of Living in Alor Setar is a useful reference point for planning. Tip: Start with a short trial stay in multiple neighborhoods to test daily routines.

Daily life centers on markets, hawker centers, and a growing, relaxed scene for remote work. Housing options span central Kota Setar terraces to quieter flats on the outskirts, with longer leases often bringing lower rents. Food comes from affordable stalls and casual cafes offering quick, flavorful meals. Local transport includes public buses, ride-hailing, and scooter rental, while walking covers short hops in the old town. If you work remotely, seek cafes with solid Wi-Fi and occasional co-working days. Alor Setar living cost remains a handy reference for planning. Tip: Map a short trial period across a few neighborhoods to see what fits.

Quality of life in Alor Setar hinges on pace, access to markets, and reliable internet in public spaces. Use a simple budgeting framework that separates housing, food, transport, and personal expenses, then test a weekly plan that aligns with local suppliers and leisure options. Expect seasonality to influence activities and crowds; the year brings a mix of indoor and outdoor options, so adjust routines accordingly. Neighborhood fit matters: the historic center offers walkable access and character, while calmer residential zones reduce commute times and support longer work sessions. Tip: pick a base that minimizes long trips to markets and makes errands efficient.