For one person, living costs in Setia Alam are estimated at $913 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $17 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Setia Alam actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $913 per month with rent, or $528 for everyday expenses alone.
$913 /mo
A couple spends around $1,358 per month with rent, or $861 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,358 /mo
A family of three spends around $1,803 per month with rent, or $1,193 without housing.
$1,803 /mo
📊
Overall, Setia Alam is 32–36% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 14% below average – relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.2KMYR 159.8K
$34.4KMYR 140.1K
$44.0KMYR 179.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0KMYR 134.7K
$31.2KMYR 127.3K
$34.8KMYR 142.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.2MYR 250
$24.40MYR 99.5
$120MYR 490
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.52MYR 34.77
$4.82MYR 19.65
$14.44MYR 58.9
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.04MYR 106
$21.83MYR 89.1
$42.46MYR 173
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.73MYR 203
$28.87MYR 118
$84.2MYR 344
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.97MYR 28.44
$1.21MYR 4.93
$6.97MYR 28.44
Cinema Ticket
$5.10MYR 20.82
$2.49MYR 10.16
$7.46MYR 30.44
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$135MYR 551
$135MYR 551
$818MYR 3,338
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,885MYR 32.2K
$3,735MYR 15.2K
$24.3KMYR 99.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.7MYR 296
$24.88MYR 101
$99.5MYR 406
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.31MYR 111
$14.90MYR 60.8
$49.65MYR 203
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.8MYR 220
$48.92MYR 200
$142MYR 579
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.56MYR 149
$36.56MYR 149
$158MYR 646
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$529MYR 2,159
$298MYR 1,215
$993MYR 4,049
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$323MYR 1,319
$124MYR 507
$622MYR 2,536
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$873MYR 3,562
$374MYR 1,526
$1,497MYR 6,106
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$549MYR 2,237
$246MYR 1,002
$1,105MYR 4,508
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,992MYR 8,127
$1,271MYR 5,183
$1,992MYR 8,127
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,102MYR 4,497
$797MYR 3,252
$1,408MYR 5,743
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,143MYR 4,663
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
3.55
4.7
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 10, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Setia Alam$913
Setia Alam$1,803
🏠Accommodation & Living
$323 35.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$200 21.9%
🍽Eating Out
$125 13.7%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$96 10.5%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$86 9.4%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$60 6.6%
🚌Getting Around
$23 2.5%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$549 30.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$420 23.3%
🍽Eating Out
$367 20.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$104 5.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$190 10.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$127 7%
🚌Getting Around
$47 2.6%
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $529, dropping to $323 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 46% of the average salary ($1,143) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $1,143. With monthly costs around $913, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,369.
🛒Groceries cost around $200 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $25.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.
🚌A monthly public transport pass costs about $12.31 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33.00).
Cost Highlights
⭐Imported beer is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia
⭐Gasoline is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Setia Alam - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability in Setia Alam stack up, and who tends to find it good value compared with other parts of Malaysia?
Setia Alam sits on the suburban edge of the Klang Valley, delivering a quieter living rhythm with practical access to city centers. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking balance, it often feels like good value: comfortable housing options without the premium of high-density city cores, plus shopping, parks, and reliable services within easy reach. You’ll notice a steadier pace, fewer convenience premiums, and predictable utilities compared with busier neighborhoods. Cost of Living in Setia Alam is typically friendlier for longer stays and flexible leases, especially if you prioritize location near major roads and public amenities. Tip: Lock in a longer lease to stabilize your monthly costs and explore nearby neighborhoods for comparison.
What does daily life look like in Setia Alam, from housing search to food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Setia Alam blends suburban calm with practical convenience. When you search for a place to live, you’ll find a mix of townhouses, serviced apartments, and landed homes; start with online portals and local agents, and weigh lease length and maintenance terms. Food options range from hawker stalls to cafe meals and family-run eateries that cover local and halal preferences. For transport, a car helps, but ride-hailing or bus routes connect you to Shah Alam and beyond. Setia Alam living cost can guide how you budget for errands and coworking days. Tip: Map a simple weekly route to group shopping and tasks by area.
What factors affect your quality of life in Setia Alam, and how can you budget and plan to fit your preferred neighborhood vibe throughout the year?
Quality of life in Setia Alam centers on green spaces, dependable amenities, and a family-friendly cadence that suits many expats and digital nomads. Build a simple budgeting framework by separating essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) from flexible spend (dining out, coworking, weekend trips) and tracking shifts month to month. Seasonality in this region is less about weather extremes and more about monsoon-related travel and occasional rainfall that can affect outdoor plans; plan errands on clearer days and keep a light rain kit. Neighborhood fit comes from proximity to parks, a mall, and efficient transit routes, plus a feel for the local community. Tip: Test a few areas at different times to compare noise, crowding, and access to services.
What is the average cost of living in Setia Alam in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Setia Alam should plan on about $913 per month with rent, or $528 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Setia Alam worth the cost of living?
Setia Alam is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $913. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
What is the average salary in Setia Alam?
After taxes, the average worker in Setia Alam takes home about $1,143 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Setia Alam?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Setia Alam – 1-bedroom apartments range from $323 to $529 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is food expensive in Setia Alam?
Grocery spending in Setia Alam lands around $200 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Setia Alam?
Getting around Setia Alam by public transport costs about $12.31 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Setia Alam?
$1,000 is below the $913 average in Setia Alam, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Setia Alam a good place to live?
Quality of life in Setia Alam is genuinely good – highlights include fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and monthly costs hover around $913. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
How affordable is Setia Alam?
Setia Alam is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $913, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Setia Alam vs other spots: cost of living compared