Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Johor Bahru is 5.9% lower than in Kuala Lumpur (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Johor Bahru is 9.1% lower than in Kuala Lumpur | |
| Rent Prices in Johor Bahru are 19.7% lower than in Kuala Lumpur | |
| Restaurant Prices in Johor Bahru are 13.7% lower than in Kuala Lumpur | |
| Groceries Prices in Johor Bahru are 3.7% higher than in Kuala Lumpur | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Johor Bahru is 15.6% lower than in Kuala Lumpur | |
Restaurants | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 20.00 RM | 15.00 RM | -25.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 120.00 RM | 90.00 RM | -25.0 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 20.00 RM | 20.00 RM | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 18.00 RM | 19.00 RM | +5.6 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 25.00 RM | 26.00 RM | +4.0 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 13.22 RM | 11.66 RM | -11.8 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.05 RM | 3.50 RM | -13.7 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.05 RM | 2.05 RM | +0.1 % |
Markets | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 8.92 RM | 7.10 RM | -20.4 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.91 RM | 3.99 RM | +2.1 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 3.19 RM | 2.68 RM | -16.1 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 9.80 RM | 6.93 RM | -29.3 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 27.68 RM | 33.60 RM | +21.4 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 8.74 RM | 8.48 RM | -3.0 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 17.60 RM | 19.83 RM | +12.6 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | 5.85 RM | 6.20 RM | +6.0 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 3.21 RM | 3.16 RM | -1.4 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 4.89 RM | 7.11 RM | +45.6 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.99 RM | 3.05 RM | +2.2 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 2.42 RM | 2.67 RM | +10.2 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | 2.73 RM | 3.13 RM | +14.6 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 4.88 RM | 5.50 RM | +12.8 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.84 RM | 2.32 RM | -18.3 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 75.00 RM | 57.50 RM | -23.3 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 13.55 RM | 11.88 RM | -12.3 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 19.36 RM | 12.50 RM | -35.4 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 18.00 RM | 17.40 RM | -3.3 % |
Transportation | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.00 RM | 3.00 RM | 0.0 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 50.00 RM | 50.00 RM | 0.0 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 5.00 RM | 6.00 RM | +20.0 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 8.05 RM | 4.83 RM | -40.0 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 20.00 RM | 40.00 RM | +100.0 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 2.40 RM | 2.26 RM | -5.9 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 170,000.00 RM | 170,560.00 RM | +0.3 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 140,854.55 RM | 145,080.00 RM | +3.0 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 255.48 RM | 215.00 RM | -15.8 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 36.35 RM | 38.83 RM | +6.8 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 109.45 RM | 116.71 RM | +6.6 % |
Sports And Leisure | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 194.92 RM | 135.00 RM | -30.7 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 27.93 RM | 23.33 RM | -16.5 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 20.00 RM | 20.00 RM | 0.0 % |
Childcare | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,216.93 RM | 636.67 RM | -47.7 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 42,828.48 RM | 20,750.00 RM | -51.6 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 267.05 RM | 238.75 RM | -10.6 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 167.18 RM | 71.25 RM | -57.4 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 365.49 RM | 321.67 RM | -12.0 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 380.53 RM | 159.80 RM | -58.0 % |
Rent Per Month | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,536.84 RM | 1,964.00 RM | -22.6 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,547.06 RM | 1,533.33 RM | -0.9 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 4,717.65 RM | 3,368.89 RM | -28.6 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,865.21 RM | 2,500.00 RM | -12.7 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,449.34 RM | 767.65 RM | -47.0 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 569.86 RM | 437.60 RM | -23.2 % |
Salaries And Financing | Kuala Lumpur Edit |
Johor Bahru Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,930.26 RM | 4,550.00 RM | -23.3 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.47 | 4.05 | -9.4 % |
| Last update: | 28 January 2026 | 20 January 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 171 | 16 | |
Cities near Kuala Lumpur: | Cost of Living in Petaling Jaya | 10.15 miles |
| Cost of Living in Subang Jaya | 14.23 miles |
| Cost of Living in Gombak | 17.86 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kuala Selangor | 41.00 miles |
| Cost of Living in Seremban | 42.58 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bentong | 43.45 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tampin | 76.84 miles |
| Cost of Living in Malacca | 88.62 miles |
| Cost of Living in Teluk Intan | 100.55 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tangkak | 100.88 miles |
Cities near Johor Bahru: | Cost of Living in Skudai (Sekudai) | 13.03 miles |
| Cost of Living in Renggam, Johor | 51.38 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bandar Penggaram | 76.69 miles |
| Cost of Living in Mersing | 81.73 miles |
| Cost of Living in Segamat | 110.78 miles |
| Cost of Living in Muar | 110.97 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tangkak | 111.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Malacca | 134.32 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tampin | 146.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Seremban | 171.43 miles |