Cost of Living in Shah Alam - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $556 (excluding rent), and $851 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,234 (excluding rent), and $1,789 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.10 MYR 12.58

$2.39 MYR 9.70

$4.77 MYR 19.36

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.76 MYR 76.2

$11.72 MYR 47.60

$35.18 MYR 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.36 MYR 17.69

$3.64 MYR 14.77

$4.84 MYR 19.66

Cappuccino

$2.81 MYR 11.43

$1.70 MYR 6.91

$3.61 MYR 14.66

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

$0.73 MYR 2.97

$0.49 MYR 1.99

$0.98 MYR 3.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.47

$0.23 MYR 0.93

$0.45 MYR 1.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.58 MYR 14.54

$1.91 MYR 7.76

$5.96 MYR 24.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.34 MYR 17.62

$2.78 MYR 11.28

$6.94 MYR 28.18

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 MYR 7.47

$1.40 MYR 5.69

$1.99 MYR 8.07

White Bread (500g)

$0.94 MYR 3.83

$0.50 MYR 2.03

$1.82 MYR 7.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 5.83

$0.70 MYR 2.83

$2.78 MYR 11.30

Eggs

$2.06 MYR 8.38

$1.15 MYR 4.65

$3.49 MYR 14.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.42 MYR 58.5

$7.21 MYR 29.27

$24.04 MYR 97.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.06 MYR 20.54

$1.62 MYR 6.58

$7.03 MYR 28.53

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.18 MYR 33.21

$3.56 MYR 14.46

$18.49 MYR 75.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.79 MYR 11.33

$1.16 MYR 4.69

$4.61 MYR 18.72

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 MYR 6.14

$0.96 MYR 3.90

$3.61 MYR 14.68

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 MYR 10.11

$1.22 MYR 4.96

$5.85 MYR 23.73

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22 MYR 4.94

$0.93 MYR 3.78

$4.66 MYR 18.94

Potato (1kg)

$1.14 MYR 4.64

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$1.86 MYR 7.57

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 MYR 5.46

$0.46 MYR 1.89

$3.50 MYR 14.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 MYR 3.61

$0.34 MYR 1.36

$1.45 MYR 5.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.09

$0.33 MYR 1.35

$0.89 MYR 3.63

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.31 MYR 17.48

$4.17 MYR 16.95

$4.79 MYR 19.47

Wine (Bottle)

$18.92 MYR 76.8

$14.84 MYR 60.3

$29.68 MYR 120

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.68 MYR 10.89

$1.66 MYR 6.73

$3.07 MYR 12.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.84 MYR 15.58

$1.75 MYR 7.09

$4.65 MYR 18.86

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 2.95

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$0.73 MYR 2.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.39 MYR 62.5

$11.84 MYR 48.05

$23.68 MYR 96.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.98 MYR 3.96

$0.74 MYR 2.99

$1.23 MYR 4.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 MYR 2.19

$0.23 MYR 0.93

$1.39 MYR 5.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.21 MYR 29.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 MYR 2.00

$0.50 MYR 2.04

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

$33.9K MYR 137.7K

$28.6K MYR 116.0K

$39.3K MYR 159.5K

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

$28.0K MYR 113.5K

$23.6K MYR 95.9K

$34.3K MYR 139.1K

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

$40.32 MYR 164

$23.18 MYR 94.1

$70.7 MYR 287

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

$10.23 MYR 41.55

$5.95 MYR 24.16

$14.28 MYR 58.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.61 MYR 124

$23.58 MYR 95.7

$40.49 MYR 164

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.86 MYR 158

$23.91 MYR 97.1

$59.8 MYR 243

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.95 MYR 24.16

$3.58 MYR 14.52

$5.95 MYR 24.16

Cinema Ticket

$6.41 MYR 26.02

$4.83 MYR 19.61

$7.73 MYR 31.39

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

$216 MYR 876

$120 MYR 486

$335 MYR 1,362

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,197 MYR 25.2K

$3,534 MYR 14.3K

$11.8K MYR 47.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.64 MYR 197

$23.35 MYR 94.8

$93.4 MYR 379

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.85 MYR 137

$15.11 MYR 61.3

$69.7 MYR 283

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.5 MYR 250

$47.32 MYR 192

$94.6 MYR 384

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$48.44 MYR 197

$23.44 MYR 95.2

$70.3 MYR 285

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$372 MYR 1,508

$264 MYR 1,070

$479 MYR 1,946

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$272 MYR 1,103

$168 MYR 681

$432 MYR 1,752

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$576 MYR 2,339

$350 MYR 1,420

$933 MYR 3,786

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$485 MYR 1,968

$286 MYR 1,162

$715 MYR 2,904

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,478 MYR 6,001

$1,043 MYR 4,236

$1,826 MYR 7,413

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,209 MYR 4,910

$806 MYR 3,274

$1,478 MYR 6,001

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,241 MYR 5,037

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

2.9

5.25

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

Shah Alam Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

252

Mbps

109

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Shah Alam - Frequently Asked Questions

Shah Alam blends affordability with modern amenities, often offering more space for the same budget than central Kuala Lumpur. Quiet residential pockets, reliable transport links, and a growing set of coworking spaces appeal to travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking balance between work and life. The Cost of Living in Shah Alam, Malaysia is generally steady for daily life, with easy access to markets, eateries, and recreation without the price spikes you’ll find closer to the city core. Tip: Focus your housing search near train lines or bus corridors to cut commute times and maximize your day.

Daily life in Shah Alam centers on practical routines and accessible amenities. When you search for housing, evaluate airflow, noise, and proximity to parks or transit lines. Food options range from local hawker stalls to casual cafes, with supermarkets providing steady staples. For transport, you’ll combine bus routes, ride-hailing, and the KTM line toward Kuala Lumpur to keep trips manageable. Shah Alam, Malaysia living cost can help you tailor groceries, dining, and utilities to your schedule and plans. Tip: Build a simple weekly budget and test it for a month to spot habits you can adjust.

Quality of life in Shah Alam tends to hinge on neighborhood vibe, access to green spaces, and convenient markets. A practical budgeting framework splits fixed costs – like rent and utilities – from flexible ones such as dining out or entertainment, then sets a monthly cap for non-essentials. Seasonality in Malaysia means planning around heavier rainfall and occasional traffic patterns, not drastic temperature shifts, so keep wardrobe and transport choices flexible. For neighborhood fit, consider areas near the lake, universities, or malls depending on whether you value outdoor space, work hubs, or nightlife. Tip: Try a short-term rental to test areas before committing.