Cost of Living in Malaysia
Summary of cost of living in Malaysia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $1,957.2 (RM7,941.7), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $537.0 (RM2,178.8), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in Malaysia is, on average, 50.9% lower than in United States.
- Rent in Malaysia is, on average, 76.9% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | RM15.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | RM80.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | RM20.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | RM15.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM20.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | RM11.58 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | RM3.14 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | RM1.63 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | RM7.65 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | RM3.90 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | RM2.69 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | RM8.49 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | RM25.45 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | RM7.93 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | RM16.19 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | RM5.69 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | RM3.03 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | RM4.99 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | RM2.94 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | RM2.24 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | RM2.46 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | RM4.76 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | RM2.31 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | RM78.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | RM11.84 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM16.27 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | RM18.00 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | RM3.00 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | RM50.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | RM5.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | RM6.44 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | RM25.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | RM2.26 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | RM170,560.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | RM140,688.71 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | RM223.26 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | RM41.35 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | RM113.26 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | RM155.46 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | RM26.64 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | RM20.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | RM782.64 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | RM33,110.93 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | RM261.99 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | RM136.95 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | RM326.66 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | RM303.46 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM1,585.08 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM1,116.52 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM2,795.13 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM1,834.06 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | RM736.63 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | RM421.47 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | RM3,748.50 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.25 | |
Prices in Malaysia
This country had 3066 entries in the past 12 months by 353 different contributors.
Last update: 4 June 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 4 June 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
Moving to Malaysia? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Malaysia? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Malaysia.
By City in Malaysia
Rank |
City |
Cost of Living Index |
Rent Index |
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index |
Groceries Index |
Restaurant Price Index |
Local Purchasing Power Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 39.0 | 13.5 | 27.4 | 48.1 | 27.9 | 118.5 | |
| Kuching | 35.1 | 7.8 | 22.6 | 44.7 | 24.6 | 45.4 | |
| Penang | 33.7 | 8.0 | 22.0 | 43.0 | 23.2 | 80.9 |
Moving to Malaysia? Explore:
Cost of Living by Administrative Unit in Malaysia:
Cost of Living in Johor
Cost of Living in Kedah
Cost of Living in Kelantan
Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur
Cost of Living in Labuan
Cost of Living in Melaka
Cost of Living in Negeri Sembilan
Cost of Living in Pahang
Cost of Living in Perak
Cost of Living in Perlis
Cost of Living in Pulau Pinang
Cost of Living in Putrajaya
Cost of Living in Sabah
Cost of Living in Sarawak
Cost of Living in Selangor
Cost of Living in Terengganu
Cost of Living in Kedah
Cost of Living in Kelantan
Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur
Cost of Living in Labuan
Cost of Living in Melaka
Cost of Living in Negeri Sembilan
Cost of Living in Pahang
Cost of Living in Perak
Cost of Living in Perlis
Cost of Living in Pulau Pinang
Cost of Living in Putrajaya
Cost of Living in Sabah
Cost of Living in Sarawak
Cost of Living in Selangor
Cost of Living in Terengganu
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Malaysia
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida na Malásia
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita in Malesia
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie en Malaisie
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Malasia
|