Cost of Living in Malaysia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Malaysia
Address: MY

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $555 (excluding rent), and $872 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,307 (excluding rent), and $1,802 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.63 MYR 14.29

$2.17 MYR 8.56

$6.03 MYR 23.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.83 MYR 93.9

$14.30 MYR 56.3

$47.66 MYR 188

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.85 MYR 19.09

$3.88 MYR 15.28

$4.85 MYR 19.09

Cappuccino

$2.81 MYR 11.06

$1.20 MYR 4.75

$3.85 MYR 15.17

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

$0.79 MYR 3.12

$0.59 MYR 2.31

$1.21 MYR 4.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.54

$0.27 MYR 1.05

$0.68 MYR 2.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.53 MYR 13.89

$1.88 MYR 7.42

$6.10 MYR 24.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.73 MYR 18.65

$3.56 MYR 14.02

$7.11 MYR 28.00

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 MYR 7.06

$1.40 MYR 5.50

$2.34 MYR 9.21

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 MYR 3.88

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$1.92 MYR 7.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.36 MYR 5.35

$0.60 MYR 2.37

$2.32 MYR 9.16

Eggs

$2.10 MYR 8.26

$1.16 MYR 4.55

$3.27 MYR 12.89

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.99 MYR 55.1

$5.96 MYR 23.47

$33.61 MYR 132

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.02 MYR 15.83

$2.11 MYR 8.31

$6.54 MYR 25.78

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.46 MYR 33.32

$4.22 MYR 16.64

$14.08 MYR 55.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 MYR 11.16

$1.42 MYR 5.58

$4.26 MYR 16.77

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 5.68

$0.91 MYR 3.58

$2.33 MYR 9.19

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 MYR 9.96

$1.15 MYR 4.52

$4.79 MYR 18.88

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 5.74

$0.68 MYR 2.70

$2.31 MYR 9.10

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 MYR 4.23

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$2.05 MYR 8.08

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 4.70

$0.58 MYR 2.28

$2.07 MYR 8.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 MYR 4.29

$0.61 MYR 2.39

$1.94 MYR 7.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 MYR 2.31

$0.37 MYR 1.44

$0.94 MYR 3.72

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.33 MYR 17.06

$4.19 MYR 16.50

$5.18 MYR 20.40

Wine (Bottle)

$19.91 MYR 78.4

$8.93 MYR 35.18

$30.63 MYR 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.80 MYR 11.05

$1.39 MYR 5.49

$3.99 MYR 15.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 MYR 14.77

$1.90 MYR 7.48

$5.92 MYR 23.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.67

$0.45 MYR 1.77

$1.13 MYR 4.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.95 MYR 47.08

$23.91 MYR 94.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.21 MYR 4.76

$0.73 MYR 2.86

$1.44 MYR 5.68

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 MYR 3.01

$0.29 MYR 1.15

$1.17 MYR 4.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.03 MYR 19.83

$3.60 MYR 14.18

$9.40 MYR 37.02

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.96

$0.61 MYR 2.41

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

$39.3K MYR 154.7K

$33.7K MYR 132.9K

$43.7K MYR 172.0K

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

$31.6K MYR 124.5K

$28.4K MYR 111.8K

$34.9K MYR 137.7K

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

$51.6 MYR 203

$27.16 MYR 107

$83.9 MYR 330

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

$10.17 MYR 40.09

$5.95 MYR 23.42

$19.03 MYR 75.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.95 MYR 106

$21.23 MYR 83.7

$36.57 MYR 144

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.25 MYR 143

$16.42 MYR 64.7

$56.3 MYR 222

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.63 MYR 26.12

$3.46 MYR 13.62

$10.36 MYR 40.82

Cinema Ticket

$4.75 MYR 18.72

$3.57 MYR 14.07

$7.13 MYR 28.10

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

$181 MYR 714

$118 MYR 465

$354 MYR 1,395

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,873 MYR 27.1K

$3,509 MYR 13.8K

$14.0K MYR 55.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.4 MYR 238

$23.64 MYR 93.2

$94.6 MYR 373

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.62 MYR 132

$14.25 MYR 56.1

$59.4 MYR 234

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.6 MYR 294

$46.74 MYR 184

$105 MYR 416

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.3 MYR 257

$35.20 MYR 139

$106 MYR 416

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$402 MYR 1,584

$239 MYR 941

$716 MYR 2,823

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,081

$143 MYR 564

$477 MYR 1,880

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$733 MYR 2,890

$359 MYR 1,413

$1,243 MYR 4,898

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$464 MYR 1,826

$283 MYR 1,117

$827 MYR 3,257

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,226 MYR 8,770

$1,339 MYR 5,275

$4,155 MYR 16.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,230 MYR 4,844

$770 MYR 3,034

$1,669 MYR 6,575

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$935 MYR 3,686

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: March 15, 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	$467	$653	$1,036	$1,388	265.88	174.31
2	Ampang Jaya	531904	43	$569	$863	$1,159	$1,696	125.84	256.39
3	Bangi	-	43	$529	$863	$1,029	$1,522	15.61	217.31
4	Batu Kawan	-	47	$680	$919	$1,553	$1,944	148.57	210.8
5	Batu Pahat	401210	47	$529	$949	$1,149	$1,848	354.83	190.46
6	Bayan Lepas	217600	40	$521	$787	$1,202	$1,855	173.18	244.07
7	Bintulu	240172	40	$566	$811	$1,338	$1,709	41.12	236.94
8	Bukit Mertajam	-	33	$553	$648	$1,277	$1,764	23.92	220.9
9	Butterworth	339132	43	$515	$850	$1,316	$1,782	37.19	230.16
10	Cheras	440000	42	$580	$845	$1,153	$1,743	95.72	251.69
11	Cyberjaya, Selangor	-	40	$483	$803	$1,207	$1,636	35.53	248.56
12	George Town	794313	42	$589	$842	$1,386	$1,814	118.2	243.98
13	Gombak	-	41	$573	$810	$1,057	$1,643	26.47	246.11
14	Ipoh	759952	44	$494	$861	$1,339	$1,768	254.74	229.68
15	Johor Bahru	858118	48	$508	$954	$1,140	$1,772	133.77	279.01
16	Kajang, Selangor	1047356	46	$669	$916	$1,485	$1,885	171.59	242.76
17	Kampar	98878	42	$459	$836	$1,081	$1,703	15.56	180.48
18	Kangar, Perlis	284853	44	$638	$867	$1,378	$1,779	66.96	150.02
19	Kedah	-	43	$550	$852	$1,391	$1,807	60.19	174.31
20	Kemaman	215582	48	$577	$958	$1,304	$1,904	44.61	166.25
21	Kepong	-	38	$502	$770	$1,348	$1,676	60.65	257.01
22	Klang	902025	44	$579	$884	$1,292	$1,691	142.74	238.83
23	Kluang	235715	50	$593	$980	$1,447	$1,933	77.75	196.69
24	Kota Bharu	-	33	$497	$663	$1,228	$1,601	95.49	161.76
25	Kota Damansara	-	46	$668	$895	$1,157	$1,834	127.09	267.95
26	Kota Kinabalu	500425	43	$714	$862	$1,233	$1,878	38.46	219.86
27	Kuala Lipis	20000	43	$634	$835	$1,344	$1,759	83.14	130.73
28	Kuala Lumpur	1982112	53	$626	$1,048	$1,485	$2,137	23.84	257.01
29	Kuala Terengganu	375424	36	$603	$704	$1,319	$1,556	114.75	164.28
30	Kuantan	548014	39	$545	$770	$967	$1,589	27.87	217.81
31	Kuching	349147	40	$543	$792	$1,253	$1,631	86.91	223.66
32	Kulim	319056	50	$567	$1,002	$1,283	$2,038	32.24	216.88
33	Labuan	95120	45	$620	$893	$1,217	$1,886	16.27	192.32
34	Langkawi	-	41	$469	$823	$1,022	$1,702	87.56	136.09
35	Lumut, Perak	-	47	$685	$951	$1,331	$1,860	306.63	189.58
36	Malacca	-	38	$492	$770	$1,305	$1,564	79.6	234.51
37	Miri	248877	35	$480	$686	$988	$1,495	91.22	223.34
38	Muar	314776	50	$673	$1,000	$1,679	$1,990	93.72	207.23
39	Nilai	38612	44	$573	$883	$1,111	$1,817	25.28	220.53
40	Penang	-	43	$598	$842	$1,321	$1,896	77.32	232.83
41	Petaling Jaya	771687	46	$515	$901	$1,202	$1,758	83.07	267.95
42	Puchong	400000	41	$633	$814	$1,441	$1,743	104.48	256.7
43	Putra Heights	-	44	$624	$869	$1,082	$1,811	67.02	256.7
44	Putrajaya	109202	40	$580	$811	$1,238	$1,629	124.87	244.33
45	Rawang	50000	43	$493	$859	$1,218	$1,742	187.29	246.11
46	Sandakan, Sabah	-	42	$562	$843	$1,247	$1,724	131.64	191.46
47	Sarawak	-	45	$510	$909	$1,188	$1,698	13.76	223.66
48	Selangor	281717	50	$494	$971	$1,415	$1,822	44.65	189.13
49	Semenyih	45000	45	$651	$906	$1,424	$1,824	33.17	242.76
50	Sentul	-	42	$472	$836	$1,026	$1,691	83.63	257.01

Malaysia Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 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.