Cost of Living in Johor Bahru - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $515 (excluding rent), and $962 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,172 (excluding rent), and $1,787 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.50 MYR 13.76

$2.33 MYR 9.17

$5.82 MYR 22.89

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.14 MYR 75.2

$14.36 MYR 56.4

$47.86 MYR 188

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.73 MYR 18.57

$3.78 MYR 14.87

$5.91 MYR 23.23

Cappuccino

$3.02 MYR 11.87

$1.21 MYR 4.76

$3.64 MYR 14.29

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

$0.78 MYR 3.07

$0.56 MYR 2.21

$1.12 MYR 4.42

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$0.36 MYR 1.41

$0.73 MYR 2.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.50 MYR 13.76

$2.80 MYR 11.00

$6.99 MYR 27.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.75 MYR 26.54

$4.34 MYR 17.05

$7.23 MYR 28.43

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 MYR 7.34

$1.67 MYR 6.58

$2.01 MYR 7.89

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 MYR 3.75

$0.58 MYR 2.28

$1.93 MYR 7.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 MYR 5.11

$0.48 MYR 1.89

$2.90 MYR 11.39

Eggs

$1.84 MYR 7.23

$0.93 MYR 3.67

$2.25 MYR 8.83

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.48 MYR 41.21

$3.50 MYR 13.75

$25.67 MYR 101

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.41 MYR 13.38

$1.60 MYR 6.29

$10.20 MYR 40.07

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.02 MYR 31.52

$3.49 MYR 13.72

$15.38 MYR 60.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 MYR 10.94

$1.70 MYR 6.66

$4.84 MYR 19.02

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 5.99

$0.73 MYR 2.85

$2.39 MYR 9.40

Oranges (1kg)

$2.47 MYR 9.72

$1.21 MYR 4.76

$5.12 MYR 20.13

Tomato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 4.89

$0.72 MYR 2.82

$2.86 MYR 11.24

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.65

$0.48 MYR 1.88

$2.41 MYR 9.46

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 MYR 5.50

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$2.43 MYR 9.55

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 MYR 3.76

$0.61 MYR 2.41

$1.96 MYR 7.72

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.02

$0.45 MYR 1.76

$0.78 MYR 3.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.18 MYR 16.43

$3.50 MYR 13.75

$5.01 MYR 19.69

Wine (Bottle)

$14.68 MYR 57.7

$12.76 MYR 50.2

$15.32 MYR 60.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 MYR 10.45

$1.85 MYR 7.26

$3.29 MYR 12.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 MYR 11.90

$1.82 MYR 7.14

$4.84 MYR 19.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$0.96 MYR 3.75

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.70 MYR 45.99

$23.41 MYR 92.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.98 MYR 3.86

$0.70 MYR 2.74

$1.38 MYR 5.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 MYR 4.05

$0.68 MYR 2.68

$1.37 MYR 5.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.31 MYR 36.59

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.79

$0.47 MYR 1.83

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

$35.5K MYR 139.6K

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

$28.3K MYR 111.1K

$23.9K MYR 93.9K

$47.8K MYR 187.8K

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

$41.48 MYR 163

$23.85 MYR 93.7

$72.7 MYR 286

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

$9.13 MYR 35.89

$5.92 MYR 23.25

$14.21 MYR 55.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.95 MYR 122

$23.68 MYR 93.1

$47.36 MYR 186

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.11 MYR 138

$22.97 MYR 90.3

$69.6 MYR 274

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.05 MYR 23.78

$4.84 MYR 19.01

$6.05 MYR 23.78

Cinema Ticket

$5.08 MYR 19.97

$4.84 MYR 19.01

$6.05 MYR 23.77

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

$187 MYR 737

$130 MYR 509

$353 MYR 1,388

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,960 MYR 27.4K

$3,559 MYR 14.0K

$11.9K MYR 46.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.99 MYR 196

$43.19 MYR 170

$84.0 MYR 330

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.17 MYR 75.4

$13.18 MYR 51.8

$41.95 MYR 165

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.3 MYR 214

$35.42 MYR 139

$94.5 MYR 371

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.45 MYR 155

$23.24 MYR 91.3

$88.3 MYR 347

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$468 MYR 1,840

$309 MYR 1,216

$690 MYR 2,713

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$404 MYR 1,588

$333 MYR 1,308

$476 MYR 1,869

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$827 MYR 3,251

$517 MYR 2,032

$1,410 MYR 5,541

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$606 MYR 2,383

$331 MYR 1,300

$827 MYR 3,250

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,142 MYR 8,416

$1,964 MYR 7,719

$2,592 MYR 10.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,192 MYR 4,685

$1,136 MYR 4,466

$1,341 MYR 5,272

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,153 MYR 4,530

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

3.9

4.25

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru - Frequently Asked Questions

Johor Bahru offers a favorable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You'll find housing options ranging from affordable condos to longer-term rentals in growing neighborhoods, with rents typically lower than major regional capitals and far cheaper than Singapore's edge. Local meals and produce at hawker centers keep daily costs predictable, while imported goods at malls can push up expenses. Transportation is pragmatic, with reliable public transit options, ride-hailing, and walkable city cores. Cost of Living in Johor Bahru tends to feel approachable for most budgets when you choose areas that suit your work and social life. Tip: Focus on a neighborhood with good transit links and communities you enjoy.

Daily life in Johor Bahru blends comfort and practicality. Look for housing near work or transit hubs - condos in central districts or terrace homes in family-friendly neighborhoods - and compare terms and utilities. Food is abundant: hawker centers and kopitiams offer tasty, affordable options for most meals. For getting around, ride-hailing and buses work well, and many spots are walkable. If you need a coworking space, several options mix reliable connectivity with a supportive community. Johor Bahru living cost stays manageable when you lean on local markets and cook at home. Tip: Build a short-term trial stay to test neighborhoods.

Quality of life in Johor Bahru comes from balance, not extremes. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, food, transport, and leisure so you can spot spikes. Favor neighborhoods with good access to groceries, clinics, and coworking spaces to reduce incidental costs and commute time. Seasonal rain affects outdoor plans, so plan flexible work and errands around shifts in weather and daylight. Mixed popular expat-friendly areas with quieter pockets to find your fit, and set aside a small buffer for spontaneous experiences. Tip: test multiple neighborhoods during different days of the week to gauge real life.