Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $637 (excluding rent), and $1,076 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,464 (excluding rent), and $2,151 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.69 MYR 19.36

$2.35 MYR 9.7

$7.04 MYR 29.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.96 MYR 115

$16.31 MYR 67.3

$46.6 MYR 192

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.76 MYR 19.63

$4.28 MYR 17.68

$5.95 MYR 24.55

Cappuccino

$2.99 MYR 12.35

$1.38 MYR 5.71

$4.16 MYR 17.16

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

$0.86 MYR 3.54

$0.57 MYR 2.37

$1.61 MYR 6.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 MYR 2.21

$0.37 MYR 1.51

$0.99 MYR 4.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.34 MYR 17.91

$2.65 MYR 10.94

$7.24 MYR 29.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.98 MYR 24.68

$4.07 MYR 16.8

$8.38 MYR 34.57

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 MYR 8.46

$1.42 MYR 5.88

$2.62 MYR 10.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 MYR 4.17

$0.7 MYR 2.88

$2.32 MYR 9.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 MYR 7.17

$0.97 MYR 3.99

$2.66 MYR 10.99

Eggs

$2.25 MYR 9.27

$1.34 MYR 5.51

$3.43 MYR 14.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.59 MYR 60.2

$7.06 MYR 29.15

$33.2 MYR 137

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.54 MYR 18.72

$2.77 MYR 11.42

$6.91 MYR 28.53

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.8 MYR 40.43

$4.29 MYR 17.69

$14.29 MYR 59

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 MYR 11.86

$1.39 MYR 5.73

$3.71 MYR 15.31

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 MYR 6.75

$0.96 MYR 3.96

$2.41 MYR 9.95

Oranges (1kg)

$2.61 MYR 10.76

$1.16 MYR 4.77

$3.54 MYR 14.61

Tomato (1kg)

$1.45 MYR 5.99

$0.51 MYR 2.09

$2.3 MYR 9.49

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 5.11

$0.51 MYR 2.12

$2.34 MYR 9.64

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 MYR 5.74

$0.72 MYR 2.97

$2.39 MYR 9.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.22 MYR 5.03

$0.73 MYR 3

$1.93 MYR 7.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 MYR 2.81

$0.37 MYR 1.52

$1.11 MYR 4.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.15 MYR 17.11

$4.01 MYR 16.55

$5.08 MYR 20.95

Wine (Bottle)

$18.46 MYR 76.2

$12.31 MYR 50.8

$31.5 MYR 130

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.4 MYR 14.04

$1.94 MYR 8.02

$4.36 MYR 17.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.27 MYR 17.64

$2.33 MYR 9.61

$6.74 MYR 27.82

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.81

$0.45 MYR 1.86

$1.13 MYR 4.68

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.63 MYR 48

$23.27 MYR 96.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.16 MYR 4.77

$0.7 MYR 2.87

$1.38 MYR 5.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.09 MYR 4.5

$0.88 MYR 3.61

$1.3 MYR 5.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.77 MYR 19.71

$3.59 MYR 14.81

$5.26 MYR 21.71

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.51 MYR 2.09

$0.49 MYR 2.01

$0.73 MYR 2.99

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

$39.6K MYR 163.6K

$35K MYR 144.3K

$42K MYR 173.2K

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

$32K MYR 131.9K

$30.3K MYR 125K

$34.2K MYR 141.2K

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

$64.7 MYR 267

$37.86 MYR 156

$94.6 MYR 391

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

$11.6 MYR 47.88

$5.95 MYR 24.57

$23.82 MYR 98.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.5 MYR 105

$22.52 MYR 93

$35.15 MYR 145

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.6 MYR 188

$23.27 MYR 96

$64 MYR 264

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.89 MYR 32.58

$3.58 MYR 14.79

$9.54 MYR 39.39

Cinema Ticket

$5.07 MYR 20.94

$4.15 MYR 17.11

$6.91 MYR 28.53

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

$264 MYR 1,088

$140 MYR 576

$465 MYR 1,920

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,486 MYR 39.1K

$5,692 MYR 23.5K

$19K MYR 78.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.6 MYR 254

$35.82 MYR 148

$83.6 MYR 345

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.81 MYR 152

$16.27 MYR 67.1

$58.1 MYR 240

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.6 MYR 349

$58 MYR 239

$116 MYR 478

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.2 MYR 327

$46.4 MYR 191

$116 MYR 479

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$566 MYR 2,336

$350 MYR 1,445

$933 MYR 3,852

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$377 MYR 1,555

$240 MYR 991

$528 MYR 2,180

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,083 MYR 4,470

$836 MYR 3,450

$1,672 MYR 6,900

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$643 MYR 2,654

$430 MYR 1,773

$1,167 MYR 4,815

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,367 MYR 13.9K

$2,200 MYR 9,080

$6,578 MYR 27.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,540 MYR 6,357

$1,438 MYR 5,934

$1,700 MYR 7,017

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,366 MYR 5,639

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.47

3.6

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many regional capitals, Kuala Lumpur offers a balanced mix of modern amenities and affordable everyday costs. The Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur tends to be appealing for digital nomads who value fast internet, coworking spaces, diverse dining, and reliable public transit without a heavy price tag. Neighborhood choices – from central Bukit Bintang and KLCC to leafy suburbs like Mont'Kiara or Cheras – shape your budget and lifestyle. You’ll find value in street food, markets, and transit fares, while longer-term housing can save you money if you opt for compounds or shared flats. Tip: Start with a two-week stay in a few neighborhoods to gauge vibe and commutes.

Kuala Lumpur living cost varies by neighborhood, with central districts offering convenience but higher rents, while more affordable pockets reduce housing bills. You will find a range of housing: high-rise condos near transit, serviced apartments for short stays, and room shares that help budgets. Food is incredibly versatile – from hawker stalls to international groceries – so you can eat well without overspending. Transport is easy via LRT, MRT, and buses, and rideshares stay affordable for nightly outings. For errands and coworking, target areas around major transit hubs and shopping belts for best access. Tip: Use a local SIM and transport apps to plan routes and save time.

Quality of life in Kuala Lumpur blends affordability with modern conveniences. A simple budgeting framework – split your month into housing, groceries, transport, and leisure – helps you stay on track as you settle in. Save by cooking at home, batching errands, and choosing coworking spaces with day passes instead of full memberships. Neighborhood fit matters: central districts suit nightlife and international cuisines, while suburban pockets offer more space and calmer mornings. Seasonality is light for climate, but expect heavy rain at certain times; plan indoor activities and flexible work hours accordingly. Tip: test multiple neighborhoods during a month-long stay to find your best balance.