Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has a cost of living index of 35/100 (New York = 100). It is 65% cheaper than New York. Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

35/100
Cost Index
$1,500/mo
Median Income
40/100
Safety Index
tropical rainforest
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

HousingScore: 25/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$245/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$155/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$465/month
Food & GroceriesScore: 20/100
Milk (1 liter)$0.95/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.15/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$0.7/kg
Dining OutScore: 18/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$3.5/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$23.5/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$5/meal
TransportationScore: 18/100
Monthly Transit Pass$25/month
One-Way Ticket$0.4/trip
Taxi (1 km)$0.28/km
UtilitiesScore: 15/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$35/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$20/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$12/month
HealthcareScore: 30/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$35/visit
Dentist Visit$45/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$8/course
EntertainmentScore: 25/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$4.7/ticket
Theater Ticket$18/ticket
Museum Entry$8/ticket
FitnessScore: 20/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$22/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$10/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$3/entry
Personal CareScore: 20/100
Haircut (Men)$10/cut
Haircut (Women)$18/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$2.5/bottle
ClothingScore: 28/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$35/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$22/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$50/pair

Digital Nomad Profile

95 Mbps
Internet Speed
$250
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
62/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Bangsar, Bukit Bintang, Sentral

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kuala Lumpur cheap to live in?

Kuala Lumpur has a cost of living index of 35/100, where New York = 100. It is 65% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $700–$980 per month.

How much does rent cost in Kuala Lumpur?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Kuala Lumpur costs approximately $245/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $155/month.

Is Kuala Lumpur good for digital nomads?

Kuala Lumpur has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 95 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $250/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Kuala Lumpur?

The median net monthly salary in Kuala Lumpur is approximately $1,500 USD. The income tax rate is around 15%.

How does Kuala Lumpur compare to New York for cost of living?

Kuala Lumpur (cost index 35) is 65% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,625/month by moving from New York to Kuala Lumpur.

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