Cost of Living Comparison Between Astana and Petaling Jaya Cost of Living Comparison Between Astana and Petaling Jaya

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $912 per month in Astana vs $892 in Petaling Jaya, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,422 per month in Astana vs $1,341 in Petaling Jaya, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,933 per month in Astana vs $1,790 in Petaling Jaya, rent included.

Astana costs about 2% more than Petaling Jaya, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Astana and Petaling Jaya are more affordable than the global median – Astana 32% lower, Petaling Jaya 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.10 ₸3,936

$3.47 MYR 13.97

133.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.85 ₸14.0K

$18.73 MYR 75.4

54.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.76 ₸2,797

$4.74 MYR 19.07

21.52%

Cappuccino

$2.19 ₸1,066

$2.69 MYR 10.81

-18.59%

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

$0.91 ₸444

$0.72 MYR 2.91

26.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 ₸259

$0.39 MYR 1.58

35.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.14 ₸554

$3.44 MYR 13.84

-66.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₸1,432

$5.08 MYR 20.46

-41.93%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 ₸492

$1.89 MYR 7.60

-46.56%

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 ₸245

$0.94 MYR 3.78

-46.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ₸680

$1.77 MYR 7.14

-20.90%

Eggs

$1.79 ₸868

$2.20 MYR 8.87

-18.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.34 ₸4,537

$10.55 MYR 42.47

-11.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.73 ₸2,300

$3.39 MYR 13.63

39.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.96 ₸3,381

$8.06 MYR 32.44

-13.65%

Apples (1kg)

$1.36 ₸661

$2.74 MYR 11.03

-50.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 ₸907

$1.68 MYR 6.76

11.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.92 ₸935

$2.50 MYR 10.05

-23.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.97 ₸959

$1.26 MYR 5.06

56.35%

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 ₸283

$1.13 MYR 4.55

-48.67%

Onion (1kg)

$0.38 ₸183

$1.33 MYR 5.34

-71.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 ₸495

$0.95 MYR 3.83

7.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 ₸364

$0.63 MYR 2.54

19.05%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.81 ₸878

$4.35 MYR 17.50

-58.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.14 ₸4,440

$20.58 MYR 82.8

-55.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 ₸497

$2.75 MYR 11.07

-62.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.70 ₸823

$3.85 MYR 15.51

-55.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 ₸102

$0.72 MYR 2.88

-70.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.56 ₸7,075

$11.92 MYR 47.96

22.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ₸868

$1.02 MYR 4.09

75.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.71 ₸345

$0.33 MYR 1.31

115.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.51 ₸2,191

$9.38 MYR 37.75

-51.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 ₸226

$0.49 MYR 1.98

-4.08%

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

$20.7K ₸10.1M

$31.1K MYR 125.1K

-33.29%

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

$24.7K ₸12.0M

$28.2K MYR 113.4K

-12.14%

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

$53.9 ₸26.2K

$41.04 MYR 165

31.43%

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

$8.00 ₸3,888

$8.87 MYR 35.70

-9.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.90 ₸6,751

$22.69 MYR 91.3

-38.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.83 ₸24.2K

$37.62 MYR 151

32.46%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.16 ₸5,419

$7.54 MYR 30.36

48.01%

Cinema Ticket

$5.30 ₸2,572

$4.85 MYR 19.50

9.28%

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

$238 ₸115.8K

$213 MYR 857

11.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,790 ₸2.3M

$8,116 MYR 32.7K

-40.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ₸27.1K

$48.18 MYR 194

15.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.85 ₸16.9K

$34.97 MYR 141

-0.34%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.8 ₸43.1K

$53.9 MYR 217

64.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.1 ₸41.8K

$48.40 MYR 195

77.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$478 ₸232.1K

$464 MYR 1,868

2.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$328 ₸159.2K

$343 MYR 1,379

-4.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$848 ₸412.2K

$830 MYR 3,341

2.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$598 ₸290.3K

$538 MYR 2,167

10.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,378 ₸669.5K

$3,212 MYR 12.9K

-57.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$993 ₸482.3K

$211 MYR 848

371.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$798 ₸387.8K

$1,782 MYR 7,173

-55.20%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.12

4.49

259.02%

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

Last update for Astana: May 31, 2026

Last update for Petaling Jaya: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $478 in Astana versus $464 in Petaling Jaya. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 123% higher in Petaling Jaya, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Astana versus $19.00 in Petaling Jaya. Groceries tell a different story – $178 in Astana vs $237 in Petaling Jaya – so Astana wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Astana vs Petaling Jaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $912 in Astana, $892 in Petaling Jaya – roughly 2% apart. Astana costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,367 per month in Astana and $1,338 in Petaling Jaya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Petaling Jaya, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $238 per month in Astana and $213 in Petaling Jaya. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 33% cheaper in Astana – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Petaling Jaya, where all-in costs run around $892, than in Astana at $912. In Petaling Jaya it covers expenses comfortably, while in Astana it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Astana has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $892 in Petaling Jaya to $912 in Astana. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Petaling Jaya. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Astana makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.