Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur - Updated Prices & Insights

42.12

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $635 (excluding rent), and $1,043 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,440 (excluding rent), and $2,113 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.8 MYR 20.26

$2.41 MYR 10.15

$7.21 MYR 30.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.84 MYR 122

$16.83 MYR 71

$48.07 MYR 203

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.78 MYR 20.17

$4.31 MYR 18.16

$5.98 MYR 25.22

Cappuccino

$3.14 MYR 13.23

$1.45 MYR 6.12

$4.36 MYR 18.39

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

$0.85 MYR 3.56

$0.57 MYR 2.39

$1.58 MYR 6.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 MYR 2.06

$0.34 MYR 1.41

$0.9 MYR 3.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.12 MYR 17.36

$2.51 MYR 10.6

$6.86 MYR 28.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 MYR 24.71

$3.99 MYR 16.82

$8.21 MYR 34.61

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 MYR 8.51

$1.4 MYR 5.91

$2.58 MYR 10.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 MYR 4.26

$0.7 MYR 2.94

$2.32 MYR 9.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 7.03

$0.93 MYR 3.91

$2.55 MYR 10.77

Eggs

$2.18 MYR 9.2

$1.3 MYR 5.47

$3.33 MYR 14.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.31 MYR 60.3

$6.93 MYR 29.22

$32.57 MYR 137

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.76 MYR 20.08

$2.9 MYR 12.24

$7.25 MYR 30.59

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.74 MYR 41.05

$4.26 MYR 17.96

$14.21 MYR 59.9

Apples (1kg)

$3 MYR 12.63

$1.45 MYR 6.1

$3.87 MYR 16.31

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 MYR 6.57

$0.92 MYR 3.86

$2.3 MYR 9.7

Oranges (1kg)

$2.61 MYR 11

$1.16 MYR 4.88

$3.54 MYR 14.93

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 6.15

$0.51 MYR 2.15

$2.31 MYR 9.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.37

$0.53 MYR 2.23

$2.4 MYR 10.14

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 MYR 5.65

$0.69 MYR 2.93

$2.31 MYR 9.74

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 MYR 4.95

$0.7 MYR 2.95

$1.86 MYR 7.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 MYR 2.67

$0.34 MYR 1.44

$1.03 MYR 4.36

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.21 MYR 17.74

$4.07 MYR 17.15

$5.15 MYR 21.71

Wine (Bottle)

$17.41 MYR 73.4

$11.6 MYR 48.92

$27.85 MYR 117

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.36 MYR 14.15

$1.92 MYR 8.08

$4.3 MYR 18.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.3 MYR 18.14

$2.34 MYR 9.89

$6.78 MYR 28.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.9

$0.46 MYR 1.92

$1.14 MYR 4.82

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.65 MYR 49.11

$23.3 MYR 98.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.2 MYR 5.04

$0.72 MYR 3.03

$1.43 MYR 6.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.15 MYR 4.84

$0.92 MYR 3.89

$1.37 MYR 5.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.78 MYR 20.17

$3.6 MYR 15.16

$5.27 MYR 22.23

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.97

$0.45 MYR 1.89

$0.67 MYR 2.81

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

$39.3K MYR 165.8K

$34.7K MYR 146.3K

$41.6K MYR 175.5K

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

$32.8K MYR 138.1K

$31K MYR 130.8K

$35K MYR 147.8K

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

$63.3 MYR 267

$37.03 MYR 156

$92.6 MYR 390

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

$11.42 MYR 48.14

$5.86 MYR 24.7

$23.44 MYR 98.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.15 MYR 106

$22.22 MYR 93.7

$34.68 MYR 146

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.38 MYR 196

$23.66 MYR 99.8

$65.1 MYR 274

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.77 MYR 32.75

$3.52 MYR 14.86

$9.39 MYR 39.59

Cinema Ticket

$5.26 MYR 22.17

$4.3 MYR 18.11

$7.16 MYR 30.2

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

$270 MYR 1,138

$143 MYR 602

$476 MYR 2,008

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,493 MYR 40K

$5,696 MYR 24K

$19K MYR 80.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60 MYR 253

$34.9 MYR 147

$81.5 MYR 343

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.73 MYR 155

$16.23 MYR 68.5

$58 MYR 244

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.4 MYR 368

$59.9 MYR 253

$120 MYR 505

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.2 MYR 334

$46.39 MYR 196

$116 MYR 489

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$563 MYR 2,376

$348 MYR 1,469

$929 MYR 3,918

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$376 MYR 1,584

$239 MYR 1,009

$527 MYR 2,221

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,084 MYR 4,572

$837 MYR 3,528

$1,673 MYR 7,056

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$624 MYR 2,630

$417 MYR 1,757

$1,132 MYR 4,772

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,000 MYR 12.7K

$2,098 MYR 8,847

$5,018 MYR 21.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,471 MYR 6,204

$1,254 MYR 5,290

$1,632 MYR 6,880

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,342 MYR 5,659

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.47

3.6

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

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.