Cost of Living in Alor Setar - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $501 (excluding rent), and $657 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $953 (excluding rent), and $1,386 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.32 MYR 9.16

$6.95 MYR 27.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$11.70 MYR 46.21

$35.10 MYR 139

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.04 MYR 15.97

$3.86 MYR 15.27

$4.68 MYR 18.48

Cappuccino

$1.67 MYR 6.61

$0.69 MYR 2.74

$3.61 MYR 14.26

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

$0.55 MYR 2.18

$0.36 MYR 1.44

$1.47 MYR 5.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MYR 1.05

$0.23 MYR 0.90

$0.45 MYR 1.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.45 MYR 13.61

$5.73 MYR 22.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 MYR 9.06

$5.05 MYR 19.93

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 MYR 6.32

$1.19 MYR 4.69

$2.38 MYR 9.38

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 MYR 3.56

$0.69 MYR 2.73

$1.27 MYR 5.01

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.80

$1.09 MYR 4.31

$2.53 MYR 10.00

Eggs

$1.51 MYR 5.96

$1.18 MYR 4.67

$2.77 MYR 10.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.07 MYR 47.67

$5.99 MYR 23.68

$23.99 MYR 94.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.08 MYR 12.15

$2.85 MYR 11.24

$7.58 MYR 29.94

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.34 MYR 32.96

$7.15 MYR 28.25

$23.84 MYR 94.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 MYR 11.06

$1.63 MYR 6.45

$3.73 MYR 14.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 MYR 4.29

$0.96 MYR 3.80

$1.81 MYR 7.16

Oranges (1kg)

$1.43 MYR 5.65

$3.34 MYR 13.21

Tomato (1kg)

$2.12 MYR 8.37

$0.93 MYR 3.67

$3.73 MYR 14.74

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 MYR 3.68

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$2.13 MYR 8.40

Onion (1kg)

$0.54 MYR 2.13

$2.69 MYR 10.61

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 MYR 2.69

$0.34 MYR 1.32

$1.45 MYR 5.71

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 MYR 1.80

$0.25 MYR 0.99

$0.69 MYR 2.71

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.78 MYR 10.99

$4.41 MYR 17.40

Wine (Bottle)

$8.90 MYR 35.17

$20.36 MYR 80.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 MYR 4.77

$3.13 MYR 12.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 MYR 8.16

$4.59 MYR 18.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 MYR 2.90

$0.49 MYR 1.92

$0.97 MYR 3.85

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.90 MYR 46.99

$9.52 MYR 37.62

$11.90 MYR 46.99

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.68 MYR 2.69

$2.26 MYR 8.93

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.51 MYR 2.00

$0.21 MYR 0.85

$1.31 MYR 5.16

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.22 MYR 28.52

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.83

$0.47 MYR 1.87

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

$33.4K MYR 131.9K

$28.1K MYR 111.1K

$38.7K MYR 152.8K

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

$27.5K MYR 108.7K

$27.2K MYR 107.3K

$34.3K MYR 135.3K

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

$39.32 MYR 155

$23.97 MYR 94.7

$59.9 MYR 237

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

$7.16 MYR 28.29

$4.77 MYR 18.85

$14.32 MYR 56.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.77 MYR 106

$23.14 MYR 91.4

$39.74 MYR 157

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.90 MYR 146

$20.02 MYR 79.1

$47.11 MYR 186

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.49 MYR 37.47

$4.74 MYR 18.72

$14.23 MYR 56.2

Cinema Ticket

$2.77 MYR 10.92

$8.06 MYR 31.84

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

$82.1 MYR 324

$70.4 MYR 278

$328 MYR 1,297

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,216 MYR 20.6K

$3,478 MYR 13.7K

$24.6K MYR 97.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.22 MYR 187

$23.61 MYR 93.3

$94.4 MYR 373

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.09 MYR 115

$21.37 MYR 84.4

$47.50 MYR 188

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.6 MYR 239

$39.60 MYR 156

$116 MYR 460

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.1 MYR 210

$35.57 MYR 140

$71.1 MYR 281

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$291 MYR 1,148

$116 MYR 459

$465 MYR 1,837

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 MYR 683

$70.8 MYR 280

$354 MYR 1,398

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$444 MYR 1,755

$234 MYR 924

$655 MYR 2,586

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$335 MYR 1,323

$139 MYR 547

$531 MYR 2,099

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,877 MYR 7,413

$1,374 MYR 5,428

$2,153 MYR 8,506

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,022 MYR 4,036

$773 MYR 3,055

$1,544 MYR 6,100

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,161 MYR 4,584

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: April 11, 2026

Alor Setar Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.