Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Summary of cost of living in Kuala Lumpur

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: RM9,989
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: RM4,893
  • Kuala Lumpur is the 4th cheapest city in Asia (11 out of 14)
  • Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is cheaper than in 96% of cities in the World (182 out of 189)
What salary will you need in Kuala Lumpur?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.

List of prices in Kuala Lumpur
Current as of Mar 2024.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district RM18
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) RM18
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast RM9
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk RM8
12 eggs, large RM10
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 RM66
2 liters of coca-cola RM5.03
Bread for 2 people for 1 day RM3.64
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area RM4,177
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area RM2,178
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat RM294
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area RM2,282
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area RM1,441
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio RM220
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) RM111
40” flat screen tv RM1,839
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) RM566
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) RM24
Hourly rate for cleaning help RM31
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) RM237
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) RM160
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) RM333
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes RM298
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new RM152,752
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas RM2.04
Monthly ticket public transport RM57
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) RM39
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) RM16
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) RM24
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) RM77
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) RM25
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) RM12
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) RM14
4 rolls of toilet paper RM7
Tube of toothpaste RM8
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city RM35
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub RM82
2 tickets to the movies RM41
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) RM201
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert RM119
1 cocktail drink in downtown club RM33
Cappuccino in expat area of the city RM14
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) RM19
Ipad wi-fi 128gb RM2,393
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) RM0.35
1 month of gym membership in business district RM196
1 package of marlboro cigarettes RM18
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 316 prices entered by 80 different people.
Latest price update: March 18, 2024

Moving to Kuala Lumpur with your children?

International Schools in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur position in our World Ranking

the world
182nd
out of 189
asia
11th
out of 14

Cheapest and most expensive products in Kuala Lumpur compared to other cities:

the world
1st
the world
5th
the world
5th
asia
1st
asia
2nd
asia
2nd

Do you live in Kuala Lumpur? We need your help!

What is the price of

Utilities

in Kuala Lumpur?

RM

Are you moving to Kuala Lumpur? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?

Find out what is the real equivalent in Kuala Lumpur of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.

Get a Salary Calculation for Kuala Lumpur

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • 500 ml beer in neighbourhood pub in Bihar Sharif costs ₨1,000 (28 minutes ago)
  • Furnished accommodation in normal area, monthly rent - 85 m2 in Vitoria-Gasteiz costs €1,000 (43 minutes ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Sydney costs AU$20 (about 1 hour ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Prishtina costs €3.10 (about 3 hours ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Fukuoka costs ¥450 (about 3 hours ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Shizuoka costs ¥1,000 (about 4 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs