Cost of Living in Malaysia: How Much Do Expats Need Per Month?

So, you’ve been thinking of leaving your familiar life behind to move to Asia.

Digital nomads and remote workers alike flock to places like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. But here’s food for thought: consider Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the quality of life and cost of living here are comparable to the aforementioned countries.

With that said, this guide will break down the average cost of living you might incur while living in the country, so you can better plan and prepare for your move to Malaysia.

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Why Move to Malaysia?

Malaysia remains an untapped and relatively unknown destination among the expatriate community.

But Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are actually great choices for expats and digital nomads alike. The cost of living is low, making these locations perfect entry points for young people who may not have a lot of cash on hand.

Also, the culture and food are diverse, and English is widely spoken in urban areas, which means language barrier won’t be an issue.

There are plenty of job opportunities, too, as Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are the most dense in terms of offices and commercial businesses.

Now that you know why Malaysia is a great place to move to, and before I break down the cost of living in the country, let me tell you a little bit about me for context.

Brief Introduction About Me and My Life in Malaysia

I’m married to a Malaysian and have been living in the country since 2010.

Check out the guide on how to move to Malaysia if you have some questions about the processes involved when moving to the country. 

My wife and I currently live in a flat that we bought in the Petaling district, which is the most densely populated district in Selangor. 

Through careful planning and saving, we have bought two motorbikes and two cars, the first car being secondhand.

When we’re not working, we spend most of our time on the computer or playing video games, eating out, and visiting my in-laws. 

Ours is a quiet and mostly home-centric lifestyle. Our safety, health, and happiness are of the utmost importance, and we always opt for products and services that are affordable and give the best value for our money.

With this general overview, let’s get on to the information that you’re really looking for.

Living Expenses

For obvious reasons, I can only give you the average price of each category. 

This is because prices may vary depending on location, who the vendors are, and fluctuation in the prices of goods, economic situation of the country, and the supply-and-demand trend at any given time of the year. 

Demands rise when there are festivals — and there are festivals aplenty in Malaysia — and supply may not be able to keep up. 

That is when scarcity causes a hike in prices of certain goods and services.

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For easy calculation, we will use the currency exchange rate of RM4 = US$1. We’ll use this rate throughout the article. 

Please note that exchange rates are subject to change. You can read our sending money to Malaysia article to find out the best way to send money here.

To illustrate the difference in prices based on location, a plate of noodles in the heart of Kuala Lumpur may cost about RM8 (US$2), but the same plate of noodles costs only RM5 (US$1.25) in smaller towns and states in Malaysia. 

Prices may be higher at tourist spots or places that are densely populated by westerners, such as Penang.

Don’t be put off, though. The average costs I mention here are just a baseline reference to guide you, aimed at ensuring you’re better informed should you consider here. 

The best part is, you can always adjust your budget based on your income level and lifestyle choices. 

However, any minor lifestyle changes you make will only be temporary. 

Once you start working and living here long term, you’ll find that you’ll be able to live comfortably within your income range as long as you’re not fussy and know how to adapt. 

Rent

Rent is likely going to be the biggest chunk of your monthly expenditure in Malaysia, especially if you live in major states like Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. 

Most expats spend between 20–30% of their monthly salary on rent. 

A 500-square-foot studio can set you back RM1,800 (US$450) a month. For a more spacious place, a serviced apartment with more than one bedroom and bathroom is about RM3,000 (US$750) a month.

There are way cheaper options if you don’t mind sharing living quarters with other renters. 

With that said, a room costs an average of RM550 (US$137.50). This is the best way to live as a newcomer to the country if you have financial constraints or are unsure of where to settle.

Bear in mind that monthly rent differs greatly depending on where you choose to live and the type of housing and facilities available. 

So, when deciding where to live, it pays to ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want to live in the urban area or outskirts of a city?
• Would I prefer a high-rise building or landed property?
• Can I afford to rent an entire house or just a room or a studio unit?
• Should I choose an empty or a partially or fully furnished space?
• Will there be facilities like a laundromat, gym, or swimming pool?
• Is this a strategic location? Are there bus stops and train stations nearby? 

These factors affect rental prices. But even with these considerations in mind, your decision will ultimately boil down to how much you’re willing to pay for rent.

Remember, the location and size of a living space affect the rent greatly. 

Here is a comparison of rent prices for different fully furnished properties in the country.

Location	Single room (Double-story House)	Entire house (Double-story House)	Studio (Serviced Apartment)	Single room (Serviced Apartment)	Entire house (Serviced Apartment)
Selangor	RM550–RM1,000 (USD137.50–USD250)	RM2000–RM4,000 (USD500–USD1,000)	RM325–RM2,500 (USD375–USD625)	RM300–RM750 (USD75–USD187.50)	RM1,500–RM4500 (USD375–USD1,125)
Kuala Lumpur	RM550–RM1,000 (USD137.50–USD250)	RM4,000–RM7,000 (USD1,000–USD1,750)	RM1,500–RM4000 (USD375–USD1,000)	RM600–RM1,000 (USD150–USD250)	RM2,000–RM3,000 (USD500–USD750)
Penang	RM400–RM600 (USD100–USD150)	RM2,000–RM4000 (USD500–USD1,000)	RM1,600–RM2,200 (USD400–USD550)	RM500–RM750 (USD120–USD187.50)	RM1,500–RM2,500 (USD375–USD187.50)

It is widely considered financially savvy to find another person or several people to share the rental cost with. 

Not only will you save on rent, but you’ll also be able to share the cost of the water, electricity, and internet service bills.

Do not be afraid to negotiate for a lower price than advertised. More often than not, agents and landlords are willing to accommodate your requests if they’re reasonable. 

Do look at properties from reliable platforms such as PropertyGuru and iProperty when you’re looking for a place to rent. 

If you still have doubts, try talking to your Malaysian friends or employer for the most trustworthy recommendations.

Electricity

Using air conditioners and water heaters incurs the largest cost when it comes to your electricity bill. 

As the weather is hot and humid almost all year round, people tend to leave the air conditioners on all day, every day. This is the surest way to drive up your electricity bill.

Here is a rough estimate of an average electricity bill with a basic house setup. 

Suppose you have a coffee maker that you use daily; a refrigerator that is left on 24/7; a computer that you use 12 hours a day; a television you leave on for six hours a day; a ceiling fan that is on 24/7; one air conditioner and one water heater that you use 12 months a year; a washing machine that you use once a week – your monthly electricity bill will be about RM74 (US$18.50) per month. 

Keep in mind, it could go up to more than RM100 if you use more home appliances.

You may think that the amount I stated is too low compared to what you normally pay in your home country, but I’m not kidding — that’s how low it can be. 

Here is a snapshot of my electricity usage for the past couple of months.

Cost of electricity in Malaysia is cheap. I pay RM40 per month on average.

Use this calculator to estimate the amount of your electricity bills. 

Water

Water bills are incredibly cheap in Selangor. 

I pay a fee of only RM6 (US$1.50) per month. Another water-related bill that you have to pay is the sewerage charges, which in my household comes up to RM8 (US$2) per month.

Internet

One of the most popular internet service providers in Malaysia is Time. It costs only RM99 (US$25) per month for a 100 Mbps connection for your home. This is definitely enough for your TV streaming needs or downloads.

If you want to shop around, you could compare Time’s prices with that of companies like Maxis and Unifi.

If you need a VPN service, it’ll cost you RM20 (US$ 5) a month. 

Phone

Phone services come in either prepaid or postpaid plans. One of the companies, Digi, offers a RM90 (US$22.50) monthly postpaid plan. With this package, you’ll get 80GB all-day internet and unlimited calls. Prepaid plans are cheaper and won’t require you to sign a contract.

To sign up for a plan that best suits your needs, visit the service providers’ websites or shops to get more information from their customer service reps. 

You may choose from other companies like Maxis, Celcom, and U Mobile to compare different packages.

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Transportation

I’m not going to lie. Getting around in Malaysia can be time- and energy-consuming if you don’t have your own car or motorbike. And it can be costly too.

Assuming you live in urban areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, you can get around by bus, MRT (monorail), LRT (Light Rail Transit), and KTM (train). 

You can look at the myrapid website to plan your journey and calculate the fares. 

As an expat, you can use cash or use a cashless method to commute via the Touch ‘n Go card.

Going cashless is cheaper for public transportation. Here is an illustration of the costs I incur when taking public transportation: 

I live in Puchong and want to travel to KLCC. The distance between these places is about 26 km. Using myrapid’s fare calculator, I have to pay RM5.30 (US$1.325) with cash or RM4.60 (US$1.15) cashless for a one-way journey, or roughly RM0.20 (US$0.05) per one-kilometer distance. 

If you have time to spare and aren’t rushing to get somewhere, getting around by bus is a good alternative to go places. 

However, due to traffic jams in urban areas, especially at peak hours, this is not advisable even if you could save a few ringgit traveling by bus. 

Expats who don’t have vehicles or who don’t want to use public transportation can opt to use Grab. This is the most convenient way to travel whether you’re in the city or suburban areas. 

Using the same starting point to the destination KLCC, it costs RM30 (US$7.50) for a single journey. 

Take note that you’ll bear the cost of toll charges if there are any. It can be more expensive when there is a high demand such as during peak hours, or cheaper if you don’t mind sharing a ride with other passengers.

If you would rather drive, you can rent a car on an hourly basis from Socar for as low as RM6 (US$1.50) per hour. 

The company pays for the cost of fuel, so that ought to make you feel at ease. However, you’ll have to pay for tolls and parking fees. 

Food

Malaysia’s food scene offers everything from hawker-style food to high-class dining. The cost of food depends on the type of food and where they are sold.

For non-picky eaters, you can get a decent meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables at RM10 (US$2.50) per plate from a chap fan (mixed rice) stall at a café or food court. 

Expect to pay around RM18 (US$4.50) for a regular meal at fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King. 

Meals cost higher in other fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Kenny Rogers, and Nando’s.

For international cuisines, including most types of Western food, be ready to fork out around RM25 (US$6.25) per meal for one person. 

Fancy dining, on average, will set you back at least RM80 (US$20) per meal. 

Food delivery can be more expensive, costing an average of RM15 (US$3.75) per meal, excluding delivery charges, for just a small portion. 

With that in mind, planning your meals can help reduce your food expenses. For example, when you choose to cook your own meals, you’ll only spend about RM500 (US$105) to RM700 (US$ 148) per month. 

Grocery shopping can be costly if you choose to shop at premium goods supermarkets that cater to expats. 

Save money by shopping at Lotus’s stores (formerly known as Tesco), Aeon, or Giant Hypermarts. 

For the freshest homegrown and most affordable veggies and meats, visit the wet market or a night market near you.

Drinks

Alcoholic drinks are heavily taxed in Malaysia because it is a Muslim-majority country. 

For example, a 24-can carton of beer costs RM133 (US$33.25) – that averages out to about RM6 (US$1.50) per can. 

When you go to a bar or club, cocktails and mocktails cost about RM30 (US$7.50) per glass. 

The costs depend on what drinks you order. For example, a margarita or cosmopolitan costs RM40 (US$10) per glass. As with food, making cocktails at home is a lot cheaper.

Bottles of alcohol aren’t cheap either. A bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label costs RM210 (US$52.50) while a bottle of Absolut Vodka costs RM165 (US$41.25). 

The cheapest way you can get alcohol is to shop at duty-free places like in Langkawi or at the airport.

If you love coffee, you can get a good cup of coffee with milk/latté for RM3 (US$0.75) at any mamak (Indian-Muslim) restaurant or kopitiam (Chinese coffee shop). 

If you like to indulge in franchise coffee shops like Starbucks, the average cost of a cup of coffee is RM15 (US$3.75). 

Since I’m not fussy with coffee (I don’t make coffee using a coffee maker nor do I go out to buy coffee), I just make instant coffee at home, and it’s good enough for me. 

Instant coffee packets come in sachets and cost an average of RM15 (US$3.15) for 12 sachets, or RM1.25 (US$0.30) per cup.

There are also tons of boba tea shops that have sprung up countrywide since the craze began a few years ago. 

The extremely famous brown sugar boba milk is RM13.50 (US$3.40) for the hot drink and RM12.50 (US$3.10) for the cold drink. However, prices vary per store.

Healthcare

The cost of healthcare varies depending on the type of treatment sought. Prices also depend significantly on the location and healthcare provider you choose. 

For example, if you want to see a doctor for a mild ailment, such as a common cold, fever, or sore throat, you can expect to pay a minimum of RM60 (US$15) if you go to a private clinic. 

If you’re fortunate enough to be employed at a company that offers healthcare insurance that covers your medical costs and hospitalizations, then you probably won’t need to spend much of your own money for medical treatment.

Regular annual checkups could cost a minimum of RM1,000 (US$250) at most hospitals. 

Your bill will vary depending on the tests or exams you undergo, as well as whether you require comprehensive blood tests, cancer marker tests, or any other complex medical tests.

Seeing a specialist at a private hospital can be costly. If you visit one, prepare to spend at least RM500 (US$125).

That said, you’ll get the best possible treatment from a specialist and you’ll save yourself multiple trips to a general practitioner who may not have the expertise and/or equipment to give you an accurate diagnosis. 

If you’re not in a hurry, you could visit government clinics or hospitals. These places are usually packed and long queues are a norm. 

Prices at government-run clinics and hospitals are a lot cheaper, though, and the wait times are bearable as long as you’re not there for an emergency case. The costs of my visits to government-owned health centers have been fairly reasonable. 

For instance, when I contracted dengue fever, I paid only RM1 (US$0.25) for each clinic visit and about RM25 (US$6.25) for the hospital visit. 

During this period, I didn’t have personal or company health insurance. Luckily, these visits didn’t include hospital admission, and the costs I incurred covered the blood test, diagnosis, and medications. 

You’ll have a smoother experience if you are accompanied by a local who can act as interpreter for you when you visit a government hospital, as some staff might speak only Bahasa Malaysia.

The best way to ensure you get good healthcare coverage without worrying about unexpected costs is to get health insurance. 

Read our guide to health insurance in Malaysia for expats to find out the available for expats like you. 

Vacations

Malaysia has lots to offer in terms of tourism — there are beautiful islands with pristine beaches, and even eco-tourism is on the rise. 

Traveling within Malaysia, or even within Southeast Asia, isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg.

Suppose you want to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth in Penang (a 351-km distance), a round trip costs only RM120 (US$30) by train. 

For this trip, if you rent a car, you would pay a minimum of RM144 (US$36). On the other hand, a round trip by bus will cost only RM60 (US$15).

If you’re driving, note that one liter of petrol costs RM2 (US$0.50). You can drive about 13 kilometers for one liter, but your gas consumption will depend on your car type. 

With just 60 liters or RM120 (US$30) worth of petrol, you could take a 660-kilometer round trip to Johor Bahru from Kuala Lumpur.

You won’t spend a lot on domestic flights either with budget airlines such as AirAsia and Firefly. 

Air fares fluctuate based on destinations and whether it’s high or low tourism season. 

Keep in mind, you can get extra discounts from certain credit cards as well. 

Entertainment

If you like watching movies at the cinema, expect to pay RM12 (US$3) per ticket. 

However, if you prefer watching movies or TV shows at home, you can opt to subscribe to Netflix. A Netflix subscription will cost you RM28 (US$6) per month. It costs RM17 (US$ 3.60) for a Mobile plan, RM45 (US$11.25) for a Standard plan, and RM55 (US$13.75) for a Premium Plan. These are the costs as of March 2024.

If you like playing video games, a Nintendo Switch will cost RM1,330 (US$332.50) and a Sony PS5 will cost RM3,900 (US$975). 

The price tag may be high, but you’ll have endless hours of fun playing alone or online.

Grooming

A basic haircut for men costs RM15 (US$3.75) at a local barber shop. It’ll cost RM20 (US$5) at a more expensive shop. For women, a wash and a cut would cost, on average, four times as much.

If you want to dye, wash, and cut your hair at a professional hair salon, it could cost RM200 (US$50) for men and at least RM250 (US$62.50) for women.

Clothing prices vary depending on brand. 

If you’re budget conscious, not into fast fashion, and are okay with used clothes and accessories, check out thrift stores such as Jalan-Jalan Japan and 2nd Street Trading for the best bargains. You’ll satisfy your retail therapy needs without burning a hole in your wallet.

For dental and facial care, you can shop for products from pharmacies such as Guardian or Caring. 

If you want to compare products and prices, you can check out from Lazada and Shopee. 

Similar to when you’re buying groceries, purchasing from Lotus’s Stores, Aeon, and Giant might give you some good deals on grooming products.

Visas

Because I’m married to a Malaysian, I have to renew my visa once it’s close to expiring. I recently extended my visa for two years, which cost RM114 (US$28.50). 

Also, when I first arrived in Malaysia, I had to pay a security bond of RM1,500 (US$374), excluding the required miscellaneous fees and duty stamps.

Depending on where you’re from and what visa you need, these occasional or one-time fees will vary. 

For expats coming to Malaysia solely for work purposes, your employee will take care of the work visas for you.

How Much Do You Really Need?

You will incur your biggest expense in Malaysia when you first move here. Prepare to pay for at least three months’ worth of rent.

Assuming you’re renting a unit that costs RM1,500 (US$375), you’ll need to have RM4,500 (US$1,125) in hand for rental alone. 

Set aside another RM3,000 (US$750) for miscellaneous expenses such as household items or visa fees.

For the fixed expenses in the subsequent months including the first month, you’ll need to take into account your rent, utilities, transportation, food, drinks, entertainment, and grooming needs.

Monthly fixed expenses	Amount (estimated costs)
Rent	RM1,500
Utilities: Electricity Water Internet Phone	RM100RM20RM100RM100
Transportation	RM1500 (monthly car rental)
Food	RM700 (cook at home)
Beverages	RM180 (Starbucks coffee 3 times a week) RM133 (24-can beer carton)
Entertainment	RM45 (standard Netflix subscription)
Grooming	RM20 (male haircut) RM200 (clothing)RM100 (hygiene and toiletries)
Emergency/miscellaneous expenses	RM1000
You could live on roughly this much monthly	RM5,698 (USD1,424.50)

Of course, this is only a rough estimation that excludes your once-, twice- or thrice-a-year splurges on vacations and entertainment. 

This calculation also excludes your first month costs, visa, and healthcare needs. 

With proper budgeting you could save for all those and much more once you’re gainfully employed.

Your expenditure could be a lot less if you share a rental, utilities, and transportation with someone else. 

Now, on to You

This guide on the cost of living in Malaysia is just one example of many budget structures you might have to adopt depending on your lifestyle and consumption preferences.

With that said, I hope this guide has helped you budget for your own move to Malaysia.

And remember, if you make strategic tweaks to your budget, you’ll find that living in Malaysia is just as comfortable and affordable as living in any other Asian country.