πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,048 in Kuala Lumpur.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,510 in Astrakhan versus $1,583 in Kuala Lumpur.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,970 in Astrakhan versus $2,117 in Kuala Lumpur.
πMonthly costs are close between Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur; which city is cheaper depends on the spending category.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Astrakhan22% lower, Kuala Lumpur22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.99β½796
$4.64MYRΒ 18.82
136.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.08β½2,397
$28.84MYRΒ 117
14.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.56β½548
$4.73MYRΒ 19.20
59.83%
Cappuccino
$1.84β½134
$3.08MYRΒ 12.47
-40.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92β½66.9
$0.91MYRΒ 3.70
1.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52β½37.68
$0.53MYRΒ 2.16
-1.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.26β½91.0
$4.18MYRΒ 16.94
-69.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59β½188
$5.87MYRΒ 23.80
-55.88%
π Groceries & Markets
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32β½95.8
$1.99MYRΒ 8.08
-33.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06β½76.5
$1.05MYRΒ 4.25
0.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01β½73.4
$1.74MYRΒ 7.05
-41.95%
Eggs
$1.74β½126
$2.16MYRΒ 8.75
-19.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.42β½1,769
$14.64MYRΒ 59.4
66.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82β½349
$4.52MYRΒ 18.31
6.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.72β½487
$9.83MYRΒ 39.85
-31.64%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55β½112
$2.86MYRΒ 11.59
-45.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80β½130
$1.64MYRΒ 6.66
9.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57β½114
$2.74MYRΒ 11.10
-42.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39β½174
$1.52MYRΒ 6.18
57.24%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95β½68.9
$1.28MYRΒ 5.19
-25.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57β½41.09
$1.38MYRΒ 5.61
-58.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β½105
$1.16MYRΒ 4.71
25.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65β½46.83
$0.64MYRΒ 2.59
1.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94β½141
$4.13MYRΒ 16.74
-53.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.19β½304
$19.03MYRΒ 77.2
-77.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05β½76.0
$3.36MYRΒ 13.62
-68.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95β½141
$4.28MYRΒ 17.34
-54.44%
π Getting Around
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48β½35.14
$0.72MYRΒ 2.94
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.77β½1,577
$11.80MYRΒ 47.85
84.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.46β½179
$1.16MYRΒ 4.72
112.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33β½23.73
$1.10MYRΒ 4.46
-70.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.83β½277
$4.70MYRΒ 19.05
-18.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88β½63.4
$0.51MYRΒ 2.08
72.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9Kβ½2.5M
$40.4KMYRΒ 163.8K
-16.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4Kβ½2.3M
$32.8KMYRΒ 133.0K
-4.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103β½7,458
$63.6MYRΒ 258
61.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36β½461
$11.50MYRΒ 46.62
-44.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.56β½403
$25.57MYRΒ 104
-78.26%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.88β½3,469
$45.64MYRΒ 185
4.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.68β½1,788
$7.61MYRΒ 30.87
224.31%
Cinema Ticket
$5.30β½384
$5.04MYRΒ 20.43
5.16%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115β½8,298
$263MYRΒ 1,067
-56.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,028β½509.2K
$9,446MYRΒ 38.3K
-25.60%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8β½4,187
$61.3MYRΒ 249
-5.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.62β½2,291
$37.36MYRΒ 152
-15.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.0β½6,378
$84.8MYRΒ 344
3.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129β½9,373
$80.2MYRΒ 325
61.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$421β½30.5K
$579MYRΒ 2,347
-27.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321β½23.3K
$366MYRΒ 1,485
-12.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445β½32.2K
$1,070MYRΒ 4,337
-58.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381β½27.6K
$636MYRΒ 2,578
-40.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,345β½97.5K
$4,242MYRΒ 17.2K
-68.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$678β½49.1K
$1,498MYRΒ 6,074
-54.72%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astrakhan
Kuala Lumpur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453β½32.8K
$1,727MYRΒ 7,004
-73.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
4.47
242.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astrakhan: June 7, 2026
Last update for Kuala Lumpur: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $421 in Astrakhan and $579 in Kuala Lumpur. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Kuala Lumpur pays 282% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.
πDining out: $33.00 in Astrakhan vs $29.00 in Kuala Lumpur. Groceries flip the comparison at $224 vs $267, with Astrakhan cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Astrakhan vs Kuala Lumpur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Kuala Lumpur earns 282% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur?
Rent for a central apartment: $421 in Astrakhan versus $579 in Kuala Lumpur. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur?
A monthly transit pass in Kuala Lumpur runs roughly 84% less than in Astrakhan. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Astrakhan pay roughly 19% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,048 in Kuala Lumpur versus $1,050 in Astrakhan, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kuala Lumpur but tight or insufficient in Astrakhan. The gap between the two cities makes Kuala Lumpur the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Astrakhan or Kuala Lumpur safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
How do I decide between Astrakhan and Kuala Lumpur?
It comes down to priorities β Kuala Lumpur wins on affordability, Astrakhan on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.