Cost of Living in Shah Alam - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $588 (excluding rent), and $860 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,085 (excluding rent), and $1,728 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.99 MYR 12.61

$2.31 MYR 9.73

$4.6 MYR 19.41

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.48 MYR 77.9

$11.55 MYR 48.7

$34.66 MYR 146

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.35 MYR 18.33

$3.63 MYR 15.3

$4.83 MYR 20.36

Cappuccino

$2.7 MYR 11.41

$1.64 MYR 6.9

$3.47 MYR 14.63

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

$0.71 MYR 3

$0.48 MYR 2.01

$0.95 MYR 4.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.65

$0.25 MYR 1.04

$0.48 MYR 2.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.59 MYR 15.15

$1.92 MYR 8.09

$5.98 MYR 25.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.38 MYR 18.45

$2.8 MYR 11.82

$7 MYR 29.52

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 MYR 7.87

$1.42 MYR 6

$2.02 MYR 8.51

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 MYR 4.02

$0.51 MYR 2.14

$1.84 MYR 7.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 MYR 6.27

$0.72 MYR 3.05

$2.88 MYR 12.15

Eggs

$2.13 MYR 8.99

$1.18 MYR 4.99

$3.61 MYR 15.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.22 MYR 60

$7.11 MYR 29.98

$23.7 MYR 99.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.05 MYR 21.29

$1.62 MYR 6.82

$7.01 MYR 29.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.11 MYR 34.21

$3.53 MYR 14.9

$18.34 MYR 77.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.79 MYR 11.77

$1.16 MYR 4.87

$4.61 MYR 19.45

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 MYR 6.35

$0.96 MYR 4.04

$3.6 MYR 15.2

Oranges (1kg)

$2.45 MYR 10.35

$1.2 MYR 5.07

$5.76 MYR 24.29

Tomato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 5.24

$0.95 MYR 4.01

$4.76 MYR 20.08

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.83

$0.46 MYR 1.96

$1.87 MYR 7.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 MYR 5.85

$0.48 MYR 2.02

$3.61 MYR 15.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 MYR 3.84

$0.34 MYR 1.44

$1.48 MYR 6.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.19

$0.34 MYR 1.42

$0.91 MYR 3.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.18 MYR 17.61

$4.05 MYR 17.07

$4.65 MYR 19.61

Wine (Bottle)

$18.09 MYR 76.3

$8.27 MYR 34.89

$23.64 MYR 99.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.7 MYR 11.38

$1.67 MYR 7.03

$3.09 MYR 13.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 MYR 16.53

$1.78 MYR 7.52

$4.75 MYR 20.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 3.08

$0.46 MYR 1.95

$0.73 MYR 3.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.15 MYR 63.9

$11.65 MYR 49.11

$23.3 MYR 98.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.97 MYR 4.07

$0.73 MYR 3.08

$1.21 MYR 5.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 MYR 2.29

$0.23 MYR 0.97

$1.4 MYR 5.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.89 MYR 29.07

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.1

$0.51 MYR 2.14

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

$33.9K MYR 142.8K

$28.5K MYR 120.2K

$39.2K MYR 165.3K

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

$27.9K MYR 117.6K

$23.6K MYR 99.4K

$34.2K MYR 144.2K

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

$41.07 MYR 173

$23.61 MYR 99.6

$72 MYR 304

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

$10.23 MYR 43.14

$5.95 MYR 25.09

$14.28 MYR 60.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.49 MYR 129

$23.48 MYR 99

$40.33 MYR 170

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.06 MYR 165

$24.04 MYR 101

$60.1 MYR 253

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.98 MYR 25.24

$3.6 MYR 15.17

$5.98 MYR 25.24

Cinema Ticket

$6.17 MYR 26.02

$4.65 MYR 19.61

$7.44 MYR 31.39

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

$209 MYR 882

$116 MYR 490

$325 MYR 1,372

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,113 MYR 25.8K

$3,486 MYR 14.7K

$11.6K MYR 49K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.07 MYR 207

$23.55 MYR 99.3

$94.2 MYR 397

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.66 MYR 146

$15.47 MYR 65.2

$71.4 MYR 301

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.7 MYR 260

$47.48 MYR 200

$95 MYR 400

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$48.64 MYR 205

$23.54 MYR 99.3

$70.6 MYR 298

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$364 MYR 1,536

$258 MYR 1,090

$470 MYR 1,981

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$262 MYR 1,105

$162 MYR 683

$416 MYR 1,755

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$575 MYR 2,425

$349 MYR 1,472

$931 MYR 3,925

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$477 MYR 2,010

$281 MYR 1,187

$703 MYR 2,966

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,457 MYR 6,145

$1,029 MYR 4,338

$1,800 MYR 7,591

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,158 MYR 4,883

$772 MYR 3,255

$1,415 MYR 5,968

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,199 MYR 5,057

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: October 27, 2025

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.