Cost of Living in Malaysia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Malaysia
Address: MY

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $570 (excluding rent), and $872 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,276 (excluding rent), and $1,812 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 MYR 14.26

$2.16 MYR 8.54

$6.01 MYR 23.72

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.40 MYR 92.4

$14.04 MYR 55.5

$46.80 MYR 185

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.60 MYR 18.16

$3.68 MYR 14.54

$4.60 MYR 18.16

Cappuccino

$2.72 MYR 10.73

$1.17 MYR 4.60

$3.72 MYR 14.71

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

$0.81 MYR 3.19

$0.60 MYR 2.36

$1.24 MYR 4.88

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 MYR 1.70

$0.29 MYR 1.16

$0.74 MYR 2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.59 MYR 14.18

$1.92 MYR 7.57

$6.22 MYR 24.55

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.60 MYR 18.17

$3.46 MYR 13.65

$6.90 MYR 27.27

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 MYR 7.02

$1.39 MYR 5.47

$2.32 MYR 9.16

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 MYR 3.90

$0.72 MYR 2.86

$1.92 MYR 7.60

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 MYR 5.60

$0.63 MYR 2.48

$2.42 MYR 9.58

Eggs

$2.00 MYR 7.88

$1.10 MYR 4.34

$3.11 MYR 12.30

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.03 MYR 55.4

$5.97 MYR 23.60

$33.70 MYR 133

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.11 MYR 16.25

$2.16 MYR 8.53

$6.70 MYR 26.47

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.29 MYR 32.74

$4.14 MYR 16.35

$13.81 MYR 54.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 MYR 11.07

$1.40 MYR 5.54

$4.21 MYR 16.65

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 MYR 5.66

$0.90 MYR 3.56

$2.32 MYR 9.14

Oranges (1kg)

$2.65 MYR 10.46

$1.20 MYR 4.75

$5.02 MYR 19.84

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 5.76

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$2.31 MYR 9.13

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 MYR 4.40

$0.48 MYR 1.88

$2.13 MYR 8.40

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 4.91

$0.60 MYR 2.37

$2.16 MYR 8.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 MYR 4.30

$0.61 MYR 2.39

$1.94 MYR 7.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 MYR 2.16

$0.34 MYR 1.35

$0.88 MYR 3.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 MYR 16.26

$3.98 MYR 15.73

$4.92 MYR 19.45

Wine (Bottle)

$19.86 MYR 78.4

$8.91 MYR 35.18

$30.54 MYR 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 MYR 11.03

$1.39 MYR 5.47

$3.97 MYR 15.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.82 MYR 15.07

$1.93 MYR 7.64

$6.03 MYR 23.80

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 MYR 2.94

$0.49 MYR 1.95

$1.24 MYR 4.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.71 MYR 46.25

$23.43 MYR 92.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 MYR 4.76

$0.72 MYR 2.86

$1.44 MYR 5.69

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 MYR 3.02

$0.29 MYR 1.16

$1.17 MYR 4.63

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.84 MYR 19.11

$3.46 MYR 13.67

$9.03 MYR 35.67

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.80

$0.56 MYR 2.22

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

$40.8K MYR 161.2K

$35.1K MYR 138.5K

$45.4K MYR 179.3K

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

$31.0K MYR 122.5K

$27.8K MYR 110.0K

$34.3K MYR 135.4K

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

$50.5 MYR 199

$26.60 MYR 105

$82.2 MYR 325

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

$10.22 MYR 40.36

$5.97 MYR 23.58

$19.11 MYR 75.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.64 MYR 105

$20.99 MYR 82.9

$36.15 MYR 143

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.00 MYR 142

$16.31 MYR 64.4

$55.9 MYR 221

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.64 MYR 26.21

$3.46 MYR 13.67

$10.37 MYR 40.96

Cinema Ticket

$4.77 MYR 18.85

$3.59 MYR 14.17

$7.16 MYR 28.29

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

$181 MYR 714

$118 MYR 465

$353 MYR 1,394

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,815 MYR 26.9K

$3,479 MYR 13.7K

$13.9K MYR 55.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.4 MYR 238

$23.61 MYR 93.3

$94.4 MYR 373

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.76 MYR 133

$14.31 MYR 56.5

$59.6 MYR 236

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.1 MYR 293

$46.42 MYR 183

$105 MYR 414

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$64.5 MYR 255

$34.80 MYR 137

$104 MYR 412

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$401 MYR 1,583

$238 MYR 940

$714 MYR 2,820

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$268 MYR 1,058

$140 MYR 552

$466 MYR 1,840

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$731 MYR 2,886

$357 MYR 1,411

$1,238 MYR 4,891

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$462 MYR 1,823

$282 MYR 1,115

$823 MYR 3,251

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,204 MYR 8,704

$1,314 MYR 5,191

$4,124 MYR 16.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,217 MYR 4,806

$767 MYR 3,029

$1,661 MYR 6,562

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$937 MYR 3,699

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.2

3.1

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

Last update: April 14, 2026

By City in Malaysia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Alor Setar	423868	33	$501	$657	$953	$1,386	319.82	185.08
2	Ampang Jaya	531904	43	$571	$846	$1,123	$1,704	194.18	259.45
3	Bangi	-	43	$522	$860	$1,100	$1,536	17.88	238.76
4	Batu Kawan	-	47	$527	$940	$1,284	$1,914	149.36	226.31
5	Batu Pahat	401210	47	$678	$959	$1,187	$1,822	345.79	200.91
6	Bayan Lepas	217600	40	$492	$807	$1,081	$1,798	132.2	243.37
7	Bintulu	240172	40	$524	$802	$1,262	$1,708	179.88	219.81
8	Bukit Mertajam	-	33	$595	$663	$1,405	$1,820	113.51	229.05
9	Butterworth	339132	43	$511	$865	$1,087	$1,783	20.32	233.21
10	Cheras	440000	42	$568	$832	$1,171	$1,714	46.58	261.68
11	Cyberjaya, Selangor	-	40	$529	$808	$1,027	$1,642	29.83	273.58
12	George Town	794313	42	$465	$840	$1,266	$1,760	118.65	248.51
13	Gombak	-	41	$494	$802	$1,276	$1,636	32.19	256.74
14	Ipoh	759952	43	$538	$857	$1,042	$1,717	236.71	232.74
15	Johor Bahru	858118	48	$518	$948	$1,130	$1,823	16.05	287.09
16	Kajang, Selangor	1047356	46	$593	$938	$1,457	$1,848	75	254.08
17	Kampar	98878	42	$549	$842	$1,145	$1,700	74.58	188.44
18	Kangar, Perlis	284853	44	$505	$859	$1,153	$1,756	26.42	140.79
19	Kedah	-	43	$500	$874	$1,446	$1,767	189.42	185.08
20	Kemaman	215582	48	$516	$969	$1,232	$1,857	214.28	162.09
21	Kepong	-	38	$462	$764	$1,115	$1,684	60.24	266.86
22	Klang	902025	44	$584	$896	$1,042	$1,666	165.23	245.9
23	Kluang	235715	50	$633	$969	$1,455	$1,967	68.9	184.46
24	Kota Bharu	-	33	$498	$648	$984	$1,561	168.46	157.34
25	Kota Damansara	-	46	$570	$930	$1,138	$1,842	39.16	272.99
26	Kota Kinabalu	500425	43	$709	$857	$1,323	$1,856	64.09	224.47
27	Kuala Lipis	20000	43	$630	$849	$1,331	$1,787	168.68	163.24
28	Kuala Lumpur	1982112	53	$620	$1,082	$1,456	$2,190	166.17	266.86
29	Kuala Terengganu	375424	36	$516	$705	$1,306	$1,563	9.38	156.09
30	Kuantan	548014	39	$424	$785	$1,021	$1,590	116.68	230.66
31	Kuching	349147	40	$537	$790	$1,234	$1,675	91.97	229.29
32	Kulim	319056	50	$559	$992	$1,505	$2,046	40.03	222.76
33	Labuan	95120	45	$595	$897	$1,335	$1,844	54.22	217.1
34	Langkawi	-	41	$516	$824	$1,277	$1,725	133.95	161.68
35	Lumut, Perak	-	47	$668	$920	$1,309	$1,891	30.59	193.78
36	Malacca	-	38	$554	$772	$1,124	$1,531	57.36	242.97
37	Miri	248877	35	$458	$683	$1,137	$1,520	53.25	230.33
38	Muar	314776	50	$714	$981	$1,588	$2,024	115.57	204.99
39	Nilai	38612	44	$649	$893	$1,107	$1,815	229.9	230.67
40	Penang	-	43	$579	$847	$1,331	$1,938	181.94	243.14
41	Petaling Jaya	771687	46	$533	$898	$1,168	$1,769	100.78	272.99
42	Puchong	400000	41	$640	$819	$1,351	$1,722	50.3	271.59
43	Putra Heights	-	44	$518	$899	$1,226	$1,781	79.91	271.59
44	Putrajaya	109202	40	$540	$812	$1,326	$1,612	111.74	254.09
45	Rawang	50000	43	$558	$849	$1,315	$1,770	126.95	256.74
46	Sandakan, Sabah	-	42	$486	$843	$1,051	$1,728	111.32	201.35
47	Sarawak	-	45	$512	$882	$1,206	$1,725	123.76	229.29
48	Selangor	281717	49	$628	$968	$1,226	$1,830	271.17	185.4
49	Semenyih	45000	45	$553	$879	$1,319	$1,853	170.14	254.08
50	Sentul	-	42	$573	$816	$1,319	$1,699	92.36	266.86

Malaysia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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

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.