Cost of Living in George Town - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $536 (excluding rent), and $843 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,374 (excluding rent), and $1,801 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.15 MYR 13

$2.43 MYR 10.03

$7.28 MYR 30.04

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.42 MYR 88.4

$13.33 MYR 55

$35.69 MYR 147

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.14 MYR 17.07

$3.45 MYR 14.25

$4.59 MYR 18.96

Cappuccino

$2.56 MYR 10.58

$1.68 MYR 6.93

$3.56 MYR 14.68

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

$0.73 MYR 3

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$1.15 MYR 4.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 MYR 1.38

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.45 MYR 1.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.18 MYR 17.27

$1.86 MYR 7.7

$5.81 MYR 23.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.68 MYR 19.29

$2.34 MYR 9.67

$7.02 MYR 28.96

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 MYR 7.72

$1.42 MYR 5.86

$2.37 MYR 9.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.12 MYR 4.64

$0.82 MYR 3.37

$1.69 MYR 6.95

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 MYR 6.64

$0.92 MYR 3.79

$2.4 MYR 9.91

Eggs

$2.04 MYR 8.41

$1.13 MYR 4.67

$2.76 MYR 11.39

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.64 MYR 72.8

$4.8 MYR 19.8

$24.01 MYR 99.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.89 MYR 20.17

$2.79 MYR 11.51

$6.48 MYR 26.76

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.4 MYR 42.94

$4.16 MYR 17.16

$16.64 MYR 68.7

Apples (1kg)

$2.81 MYR 11.61

$1.63 MYR 6.72

$3.72 MYR 15.36

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 MYR 5.87

$0.95 MYR 3.91

$1.79 MYR 7.37

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 MYR 8.9

$1.16 MYR 4.78

$3.24 MYR 13.36

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.98

$0.57 MYR 2.37

$1.37 MYR 5.66

Potato (1kg)

$0.84 MYR 3.47

$0.46 MYR 1.9

$2.05 MYR 8.48

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.97

$0.48 MYR 1.96

$2.87 MYR 11.83

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 MYR 3.05

$0.36 MYR 1.5

$1.57 MYR 6.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 MYR 2.27

$0.27 MYR 1.11

$0.74 MYR 3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4 MYR 16.5

$3.89 MYR 16.06

$4.57 MYR 18.86

Wine (Bottle)

$16.87 MYR 69.6

$8.43 MYR 34.79

$19.28 MYR 79.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.6 MYR 10.75

$1.15 MYR 4.75

$2.98 MYR 12.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 MYR 14.02

$1.86 MYR 7.68

$4.64 MYR 19.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 MYR 1.89

$1.15 MYR 4.75

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.88 MYR 49.04

$9.51 MYR 39.26

$11.88 MYR 49.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.75

$0.92 MYR 3.78

$2.3 MYR 9.49

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 MYR 1.95

$0.23 MYR 0.95

$1.65 MYR 6.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.5 MYR 26.83

$5.91 MYR 24.38

$7.09 MYR 29.27

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.91

$0.45 MYR 1.87

$0.47 MYR 1.95

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

$33.4K MYR 137.8K

$20.6K MYR 85.1K

$38.6K MYR 159.5K

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

$24.7K MYR 102.1K

$32.4K MYR 133.8K

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

$38.02 MYR 157

$23.18 MYR 95.7

$69.5 MYR 287

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

$9.67 MYR 39.89

$5.86 MYR 24.17

$10.55 MYR 43.54

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.28 MYR 121

$23.47 MYR 96.9

$40.3 MYR 166

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.21 MYR 158

$8.11 MYR 33.46

$92.6 MYR 382

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.67 MYR 15.16

$2.76 MYR 11.38

$4.59 MYR 18.94

Cinema Ticket

$4.05 MYR 16.7

$3.57 MYR 14.74

$11.89 MYR 49.07

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

$147 MYR 606

$92.8 MYR 383

$325 MYR 1,340

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,649 MYR 19.2K

$3,594 MYR 14.8K

$25.4K MYR 105K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.3 MYR 216

$23.81 MYR 98.3

$95.2 MYR 393

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.19 MYR 120

$16.68 MYR 68.8

$47.66 MYR 197

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.1 MYR 248

$39.32 MYR 162

$116 MYR 477

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.5 MYR 217

$35.21 MYR 145

$235 MYR 969

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$370 MYR 1,525

$238 MYR 984

$596 MYR 2,460

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$254 MYR 1,048

$198 MYR 819

$467 MYR 1,927

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$733 MYR 3,025

$479 MYR 1,977

$1,198 MYR 4,943

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$488 MYR 2,015

$349 MYR 1,439

$814 MYR 3,358

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,133 MYR 4,675

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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.