Cost of Living in George Town - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $469 (excluding rent), and $830 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,277 (excluding rent), and $1,810 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.10 MYR 12.17

$2.39 MYR 9.39

$7.15 MYR 28.12

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.04 MYR 82.7

$13.09 MYR 51.5

$35.06 MYR 138

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.15 MYR 16.31

$3.46 MYR 13.62

$4.61 MYR 18.12

Cappuccino

$2.47 MYR 9.72

$1.62 MYR 6.37

$3.44 MYR 13.50

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

$0.73 MYR 2.86

$0.46 MYR 1.79

$1.15 MYR 4.50

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 MYR 1.33

$0.23 MYR 0.92

$0.46 MYR 1.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.17 MYR 16.38

$1.86 MYR 7.30

$5.79 MYR 22.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.69 MYR 18.42

$2.35 MYR 9.23

$7.04 MYR 27.66

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 MYR 7.45

$1.44 MYR 5.64

$2.40 MYR 9.45

White Bread (500g)

$1.13 MYR 4.45

$0.82 MYR 3.24

$1.70 MYR 6.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 6.56

$0.95 MYR 3.74

$2.49 MYR 9.78

Eggs

$2.03 MYR 7.97

$1.13 MYR 4.42

$2.75 MYR 10.79

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.53 MYR 68.9

$4.77 MYR 18.74

$23.86 MYR 93.8

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.99 MYR 19.59

$2.84 MYR 11.18

$6.61 MYR 25.99

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.76 MYR 42.28

$4.30 MYR 16.90

$17.21 MYR 67.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 MYR 10.91

$1.61 MYR 6.32

$3.67 MYR 14.43

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 MYR 5.60

$0.95 MYR 3.74

$1.79 MYR 7.03

Oranges (1kg)

$2.14 MYR 8.42

$1.15 MYR 4.52

$3.22 MYR 12.64

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.75

$0.58 MYR 2.26

$1.37 MYR 5.40

Potato (1kg)

$0.83 MYR 3.26

$0.45 MYR 1.78

$2.03 MYR 7.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.54

$0.46 MYR 1.79

$2.75 MYR 10.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 MYR 2.88

$0.36 MYR 1.42

$1.56 MYR 6.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.03

$0.25 MYR 0.99

$0.69 MYR 2.71

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.14 MYR 16.29

$4.03 MYR 15.85

$4.74 MYR 18.62

Wine (Bottle)

$12.93 MYR 50.8

$9.05 MYR 35.58

$20.69 MYR 81.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 MYR 10.24

$1.15 MYR 4.52

$2.99 MYR 11.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 MYR 13.78

$1.92 MYR 7.55

$4.79 MYR 18.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 MYR 1.79

$1.14 MYR 4.50

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.93 MYR 46.90

$9.55 MYR 37.54

$11.93 MYR 46.90

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.53

$0.92 MYR 3.61

$2.31 MYR 9.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 MYR 1.84

$0.23 MYR 0.90

$1.63 MYR 6.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.52 MYR 25.61

$5.92 MYR 23.28

$7.11 MYR 27.94

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.96

$0.49 MYR 1.92

$0.51 MYR 2.00

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

$33.1K MYR 130.2K

$20.5K MYR 80.4K

$38.4K MYR 150.7K

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

$25.3K MYR 99.4K

$33.1K MYR 130.3K

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

$39.38 MYR 155

$24.01 MYR 94.4

$72.0 MYR 283

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

$9.59 MYR 37.67

$5.81 MYR 22.83

$10.46 MYR 41.12

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.28 MYR 115

$23.47 MYR 92.2

$40.31 MYR 158

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.62 MYR 152

$8.19 MYR 32.20

$93.6 MYR 368

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.86 MYR 15.18

$2.90 MYR 11.39

$4.82 MYR 18.96

Cinema Ticket

$3.98 MYR 15.63

$3.51 MYR 13.80

$11.68 MYR 45.91

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

$147 MYR 576

$92.6 MYR 364

$324 MYR 1,273

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,602 MYR 18.1K

$3,558 MYR 14.0K

$25.2K MYR 99.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.4 MYR 206

$23.86 MYR 93.8

$95.4 MYR 375

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.97 MYR 114

$16.56 MYR 65.1

$47.30 MYR 186

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.2 MYR 237

$39.38 MYR 155

$116 MYR 455

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.0 MYR 208

$35.51 MYR 140

$237 MYR 930

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$360 MYR 1,416

$232 MYR 913

$581 MYR 2,283

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$258 MYR 1,014

$202 MYR 793

$475 MYR 1,866

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$715 MYR 2,810

$467 MYR 1,836

$1,168 MYR 4,591

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$499 MYR 1,961

$356 MYR 1,401

$832 MYR 3,269

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,216 MYR 4,779

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

George Town 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 George Town - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, you’ll find the mix of costs balanced for a city with rich street life and modern amenities. For many travelers and longer-term visitors, the pace of life, access to affordable eats, and compact neighborhoods create solid value, especially when you compare it with regional hubs. Cost of Living in George Town, Malaysia tends to be friendlier than bigger metros while offering robust amenities and a lively expat scene. Housing can range from affordable flats to nicer riverfront options, depending on location. Tip: plan a week-by-week budget to test your assumptions.

On daily life, you’ll notice housing options range from heritage apartments in the old town to modern towers near the coast, with rents and leases shaped by location and size. Food culture is a standout: bustling morning markets, hawker stalls, and a mix of casual cafes provide variety and value for every budget. Transport is practical: walkable streets, Grab, ferries or buses for longer trips. For work or collaboration, several coworking spaces exist. When budgeting, George Town, Malaysia living cost helps you anticipate utilities and internet depending on season and usage. Tip: Look for short-term leases to test neighborhoods and keep flexible with a dining plan.

Quality of life here blends cultural richness with practical choices. For budgeting frameworks, track housing, food, and transport separately, then set a weekly cap for dining out and coffee runs while leaving room for occasional experiences like festivals or waterfront strolls. If you’re choosing neighborhoods, Old Town (heritage area) offers walkability and character, while newer neighborhoods by the coastline provide quieter evenings and easier parking. Seasonality matters: the heat and humidity shape outdoor plans, while monsoon months can affect transport and some businesses. Tip: Build a simple monthly template with category budgets and a small buffer for surprises.