Cost of living in Malaysia

Summary of cost of living in Malaysia

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: RM9,794
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: RM4,502
  • Malaysia is the 2nd cheapest country in Asia (9 out of 10)
  • Malaysia is the 2nd cheapest country in the World (65 out of 66)
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Food
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district RM17
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) RM19
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast RM9
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk RM8
12 eggs, large RM9
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes RM6
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese RM27
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples RM11
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes RM4.72
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket RM11
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality RM68
2 liters of coca-cola RM5.59
Bread for 2 people for 1 day RM3.60
Housing
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area RM3,486
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area RM1,957
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat RM254
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area RM2,157
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area RM1,384
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio RM236
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) RM105
40” flat screen tv RM961
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) RM692
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) RM18
Hourly rate for cleaning help RM35
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) RM231
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) RM154
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) RM328
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes RM308
Transportation
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new RM151,470
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas RM2.04
Monthly ticket public transport RM54
Personal Care
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) RM11
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) RM25
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) RM85
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) RM40
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) RM12
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) RM14
4 rolls of toilet paper RM9
Tube of toothpaste RM6
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city RM27
Entertainment
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub RM90
2 tickets to the movies RM40
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) -
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert RM122
1 cocktail drink in downtown club RM30
Cappuccino in expat area of the city RM14
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) RM18
Ipad wi-fi 128gb RM4,829
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) RM0.13
1 month of gym membership in business district RM199
1 package of marlboro cigarettes RM18

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International Schools in Malaysia

Map of Cost of Living in Malaysia

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This map shows only the top cities in Malaysia. We also have on this page a list of all the cities available in Expatistan:
List of all the cities available in Expatistan

The color of each marker corresponds with the cost of living in the city red markers show more expensive cities green ones show cheaper cities
Moving the mouse on top of a city will show its name and the Cost of Living Index of that city.

What is the Cost of Living Index? To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

Cost of Living Ranking in Malaysia

(top cities by data quality)

Ranking City Price Index *
1st Shah Alam 57
2nd Kuching 57
3rd Kuala Lumpur 57
4th Kota Kinabalu 57
5th Johor Bahru 55
6th Ipoh 51

Price Index:

To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

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