Cost of Living in Malaysia - Updated Prices & Insights

37.23

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $555 (excluding rent), and $874 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,310 (excluding rent), and $1,806 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.59 MYR 15.15

$2.15 MYR 9.08

$5.98 MYR 25.21

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.48 MYR 99

$14.08 MYR 59.4

$46.96 MYR 198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.7 MYR 19.81

$3.76 MYR 15.86

$4.7 MYR 19.81

Cappuccino

$2.7 MYR 11.38

$1.16 MYR 4.88

$3.7 MYR 15.6

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

$0.74 MYR 3.13

$0.55 MYR 2.32

$1.14 MYR 4.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 MYR 1.68

$0.27 MYR 1.15

$0.69 MYR 2.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.44 MYR 14.51

$1.84 MYR 7.75

$5.96 MYR 25.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.82 MYR 20.31

$3.62 MYR 15.27

$7.23 MYR 30.49

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 MYR 7.54

$1.39 MYR 5.87

$2.33 MYR 9.83

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 MYR 4.17

$0.72 MYR 3.05

$1.93 MYR 8.13

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.36 MYR 5.75

$0.6 MYR 2.54

$2.33 MYR 9.84

Eggs

$2.02 MYR 8.5

$1.11 MYR 4.68

$3.15 MYR 13.26

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.76 MYR 58

$5.86 MYR 24.71

$33.06 MYR 139

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.1 MYR 17.3

$2.15 MYR 9.08

$6.68 MYR 28.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.53 MYR 35.99

$4.26 MYR 17.97

$14.21 MYR 59.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 MYR 12.13

$1.44 MYR 6.06

$4.32 MYR 18.24

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 MYR 6.29

$0.94 MYR 3.96

$2.41 MYR 10.16

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 MYR 10.73

$1.16 MYR 4.87

$4.83 MYR 20.35

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 6.43

$0.72 MYR 3.02

$2.41 MYR 10.18

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 MYR 4.73

$0.48 MYR 2.02

$2.14 MYR 9.03

Onion (1kg)

$1.2 MYR 5.04

$0.58 MYR 2.44

$2.08 MYR 8.77

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.37

$0.58 MYR 2.43

$1.85 MYR 7.79

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 MYR 2.43

$0.36 MYR 1.52

$0.93 MYR 3.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 MYR 18.34

$4.21 MYR 17.73

$5.2 MYR 21.93

Wine (Bottle)

$17.43 MYR 73.5

$9.29 MYR 39.19

$27.87 MYR 118

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 MYR 12.09

$1.42 MYR 6

$4.08 MYR 17.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 MYR 15.83

$1.9 MYR 8.02

$5.93 MYR 25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 3.08

$0.48 MYR 2.04

$1.21 MYR 5.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.98 MYR 50.5

$23.97 MYR 101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.19 MYR 5.02

$0.72 MYR 3.02

$1.42 MYR 6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.7 MYR 2.94

$0.27 MYR 1.13

$1.07 MYR 4.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.88 MYR 20.58

$3.49 MYR 14.72

$9.11 MYR 38.41

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.96

$0.57 MYR 2.41

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

$40.4K MYR 170.3K

$34.7K MYR 146.3K

$44.9K MYR 189.4K

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

$31.7K MYR 133.6K

$28.4K MYR 119.9K

$35K MYR 147.7K

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

$49.95 MYR 211

$26.31 MYR 111

$81.3 MYR 343

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

$9.98 MYR 42.08

$5.83 MYR 24.59

$18.66 MYR 78.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.19 MYR 115

$21.42 MYR 90.3

$36.89 MYR 156

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.56 MYR 154

$16.56 MYR 69.9

$56.8 MYR 239

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.82 MYR 28.76

$3.56 MYR 14.99

$10.66 MYR 44.94

Cinema Ticket

$4.7 MYR 19.8

$3.53 MYR 14.88

$7.05 MYR 29.72

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

$179 MYR 753

$116 MYR 490

$349 MYR 1,471

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,892 MYR 29.1K

$3,519 MYR 14.8K

$14.1K MYR 59.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 MYR 249

$23.14 MYR 97.6

$92.5 MYR 390

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.8 MYR 143

$14.33 MYR 60.4

$59.7 MYR 252

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.3 MYR 318

$47.18 MYR 199

$106 MYR 449

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.7 MYR 281

$35.96 MYR 152

$108 MYR 455

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$390 MYR 1,644

$232 MYR 977

$695 MYR 2,930

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$271 MYR 1,143

$141 MYR 596

$471 MYR 1,987

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$709 MYR 2,991

$347 MYR 1,462

$1,202 MYR 5,070

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$470 MYR 1,981

$287 MYR 1,211

$838 MYR 3,532

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,044 MYR 8,621

$1,167 MYR 4,922

$3,590 MYR 15.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,166 MYR 4,916

$754 MYR 3,181

$1,539 MYR 6,489

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$929 MYR 3,916

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.2

3.1

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

Cost of Living in Malaysia - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Malaysia is generally approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In key cities you get reliable services, a wide range of housing options, and tasty, affordable food, with prices that scale gently by neighborhood. Outside the big metros, daily expenses can drop further while still offering modern amenities. Public transport is improving, and coworking spaces are common in urban centers. Tip: Map out a two or three neighborhood shortlist near transit to balance convenience and cost.

Daily life in Malaysia blends convenience with variety. In cities you can find a spectrum of housing from compact apartments to family homes, with rents varying by district and proximity to transit. Food is a standout, from hawker stalls to modern cafes, offering ample choices for any budget. Public transport includes rail and bus networks, plus ride hailing and short commutes in smaller towns. The Malaysia living cost is shaped by your locale and routines, so a pragmatic search can save you both time and money. Tip: Start with a 2 week trial in your top neighborhood.

Quality of life in Malaysia is heightened when you tailor routines to your budget and preferences. Use a simple framework: secure a comfortable base in a transit-friendly neighborhood, allocate for daily needs, and keep a buffer for activities and travel. Seasonality matters; the monsoon and humidity can shape outdoor plans and comfort indoors. Urban cores give easy access to coworking, nightlife, and services, while smaller towns offer quieter living and quicker access to nature. Tip: visit a few areas during different times of day and week to gauge pace, noise, and convenience.