Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur
Summary of cost of living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $2,228.7 (RM9,060.0), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $610.5 (RM2,481.7), excluding rent.
- Kuala Lumpur is 57.1% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Kuala Lumpur is, on average, 77.3% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | RM20.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | RM110.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | RM20.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | RM18.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM25.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | RM13.04 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | RM3.21 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | RM2.00 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | RM8.92 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | RM4.11 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | RM3.46 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | RM10.49 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | RM27.82 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | RM9.49 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | RM18.17 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | RM6.57 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | RM3.58 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | RM4.60 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | RM3.02 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | RM2.58 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | RM2.75 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | RM4.94 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | RM2.74 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | RM77.50 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | RM13.95 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM20.89 | |
| 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) | RM8.05 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | RM20.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | RM2.91 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | RM170,560.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | RM142,230.77 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | RM270.33 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | RM39.12 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | RM108.35 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | RM203.46 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | RM26.75 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | RM22.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | RM1,218.54 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | RM50,328.75 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | RM299.82 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | RM167.17 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | RM371.44 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | RM393.95 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM2,600.00 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM1,543.75 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM4,942.86 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM2,506.25 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | RM1,555.77 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | RM551.12 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | RM6,602.62 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.28 | |
Prices in Kuala Lumpur
This city had 951 entries in the past 12 months by 154 different contributors.
Last update: 4 June 2026
Last update: 4 June 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Kuala Lumpur? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| 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 Jasin | 99.80 miles |
| Cost of Living in Teluk Intan | 100.55 miles |
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Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Kuala Lumpur? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Kuala Lumpur.
Breakfast - 7.00 to 15.00
Snack - 5.00 to 10.00
Lunch - 15.00 to 20.00
Tea - 5.00 to 10.00
Dinner - 15.00 to 30.00
Supper - 5.00 to 15.00
Before 2017, I frequency visited Malaysia and stayed for a maximum of 3 months in one of my many visits but now it would be impossible because I can't accept the unacceptable overnight tourist tax ripoff.
Hope Malaysia would remove the immorral overnight tourist tax ripoff in order to restore the vast tourist market which Malaysia lost since imposing the the unacceptable overnight tourist tax ripoff or else the era of flourishing tourist market for Malaysia might be gone due to the unacceptable overnight tourist tax ripoff.
breakfast will cost MYR10.00
lunch with drinks MYR15.00
Dinner with drinks MYR15.00-20.00
public transport Trains or Commuter starting from MYR1.50 to MYR9.90 depends on the distance.
Average starting salary from MYR1600.00 to MYR2200.00.
Itsalmost the same price as Germany.
Next is racism and discrimination. Chinese and Indians are highly discriminated. It’s a well known factor. But it’s funny, even they are so used it that, they are in denial. Discrimination being dark coloured skin is very high, doesn’t matter from which part of the world you are from.
During beginning of 2020 as the COVID hit the whole world. Most of the employees was helpless in KL and never bothered to renew foreign workers visa. Especially as the business was closed for months and as they no need to pay salary. If visa’s are running they are liable to pay salary. In few days these foreigner staff all became illegal immigrants and was hunted by the Malaysian authorities along with the other illegal immigrants. The sad part is, these illegal immigrates has always been the backbone of the businesses in KL. There is an YouTube video about this by Al Jazeera which had major criticism. https://youtu.be/zyl_xsdpteI
The community is not open to discussion or ready for criticism. Any review or comment which is unpleasant will invite major cyber attack or insult.