Cost Of Living For a Couple in Petaling Jaya 2025

Couple cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Petaling Jaya

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: MYR
3,200 9,500 51,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$670 $2,000 $11,000

Average monthly spending for couples in Petaling Jaya

How much money does a couple need in a month to survive in Petaling Jaya?

Couples in Petaling Jaya spend around 9,500 MYR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a couple can survive with a monthly budget as low as 3,200 MYR or as high as 51,000 MYR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Petaling Jaya


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Petaling Jaya

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

8.1 MYR 16 MYR 27 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $3.4 $5.7

Restaurant meal for one

28 MYR 42 MYR 84 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.9 $8.8 $18

Fine dining meal for one

56 MYR 84 MYR 330 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $18 $71

Cappuccino or latte

6.8 MYR 11 MYR 16 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $2.3 $3.4

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

5.4 MYR 6.5 MYR 8.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.4 $1.7

12 eggs

4.1 MYR 5.4 MYR 8.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.86 $1.1 $1.7

Fresh whole chicken

9.2 MYR 12 MYR 17 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2 $2.5 $3.6

Pack of beef

11 MYR 16 MYR 33 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.4 $6.9

Medium bag of rice

4.4 MYR 6 MYR 8.5 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.92 $1.3 $1.8

Bag of tomatos

1.6 MYR 2.2 MYR 4.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.34 $0.46 $0.86

Bag of apples

2.9 MYR 3.8 MYR 6.3 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.61 $0.80 $1.3
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Petaling Jaya


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

7 MYR 8.4 MYR 17 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $1.8 $3.5

Average car full tank

41 MYR 54 MYR 110 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.6 $11 $23

Average car 1-day rental

43 MYR 57 MYR 86 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.1 $12 $18

Average car price

20,000 MYR 41,000 MYR 54,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4,300 $8,600 $11,000

Bus ticket one way

1.4 MYR 2.2 MYR 4.3 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.30 $0.46 $0.91

Car Service

57 MYR 86 MYR 170 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $18 $36
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Petaling Jaya


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Couple

130 MYR 430 MYR 2,800 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$27 $91 $590

Internet and cable

41 MYR 81 MYR 110 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.6 $17 $23

Mobile phone charges

33 MYR 54 MYR 160 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.9 $11 $34

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

20 MYR 27 MYR 41 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.7 $8.6

One month gym membership

69 MYR 86 MYR 170 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $18 $36
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Petaling Jaya


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

51 MYR 72 MYR 110 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $15 $23

Woman dress

48 MYR 66 MYR 220 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $14 $46

Woman shoes

45 MYR 62 MYR 140 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.6 $13 $30

Men's shoes

39 MYR 48 MYR 96 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.3 $10 $20

Men suit

43 MYR 54 MYR 290 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.1 $11 $61

Regular t-shirt

22 MYR 29 MYR 86 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.1 $18
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Petaling Jaya


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

720 MYR 1,100 MYR 2,900 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $610

1-bedroom apartment

1,100 MYR 1,700 MYR 4,300 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$230 $360 $910

2-bedroom apartment

1,400 MYR 2,200 MYR 5,700 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $460 $1,200

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

140,000 MYR 220,000 MYR 430,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $46,000 $91,000

1-bedroom apartment

170,000 MYR 290,000 MYR 1.1M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36,000 $61,000 $230,000

2-bedroom apartment

290,000 MYR 860,000 MYR 1.7M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$61,000 $180,000 $360,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Petaling Jaya


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

810 MYR 1,000 MYR 1,400 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$170 $210 $290

Double Bed

540 MYR 810 MYR 1,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $170 $210

Single Bed

480 MYR 630 MYR 810 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $130 $170

Living Room

900 MYR 1,200 MYR 4,100 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$190 $250 $860

Dining Table

410 MYR 540 MYR 1,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$86 $110 $210

Sofa or Couch

540 MYR 740 MYR 1,600 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $160 $340
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Petaling Jaya


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

540 MYR 810 MYR 1,600 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $170 $340

Fridge or Freezer

480 MYR 740 MYR 1,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $160 $210

Washing Machine

630 MYR 900 MYR 1,600 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130 $190 $340

Stove or Cooker

580 MYR 740 MYR 1,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $160 $210

Mobile Phone

680 MYR 810 MYR 1,200 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $170 $250

Laptop or Computer

740 MYR 900 MYR 1,600 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $190 $340
Couple cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Petaling Jaya

Couple expenditure to income ratio in Petaling Jaya

Analysing the how affordable it is for couples to live in Petaling Jaya

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Couples usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a couple of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

83%

75% to 92%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Couples in Petaling Jaya spend around 83% of their monthly income. Some couples spend as low as 75% of their income while some as high as 92%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a couple in Petaling Jaya

How do couples spend their money in Petaling Jaya?

We asked thousands of couples about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for couples

Accomodation Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (21% to 38%)

LOW$230   1,100 MYR
AVERAGE$690   3,200 MYR
HIGH$3,700   17,000 MYR
Per Month

Couples in Petaling Jaya typically spend from 21% to 38% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 28% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 3,200 MYR with expenditure ranging from 1,100 MYR to 17,000 MYR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for couples

Cost of utilities7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$27   130 MYR
AVERAGE$91   430 MYR
HIGH$590   2,800 MYR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Petaling Jaya ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most couples. The average monthly cost of utilities is 430 MYR with 130 MYR and 2,800 MYR being the upper and lower limits for a couple of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for couples

Cost of transport and fuel9%

9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)

LOW$81   380 MYR
AVERAGE$240   1,100 MYR
HIGH$1,300   6,100 MYR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a couple resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a couple would expect to spend from 380 MYR to 6,100 MYR in a month on commuting with 1,100 MYR being the norm for most couples. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 14%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for couples

Food and Groceries Cost17%

17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)

LOW$94   450 MYR
AVERAGE$280   1,300 MYR
HIGH$1,500   7,100 MYR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical couple in a month in Petaling Jaya is 1,300 MYR. The cost of groceries can range between 450 MYR to 7,100 MYR. Couples spend on average about 17% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 22% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for couples

Cost of healthcare14%

14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)

LOW$74   350 MYR
AVERAGE$220   1,000 MYR
HIGH$1,200   5,600 MYR
Per Month

Couples in Petaling Jaya allocate 8% to 18% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 14%. The range of medical expenses range from 350 MYR to 5,600 MYR with 1,000 MYR being the norm for most couples.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for couples

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)

LOW$40   190 MYR
AVERAGE$120   570 MYR
HIGH$640   3,100 MYR
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 190 MYR to 3,100 MYR with 570 MYR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most couples.

Education and schooling expenditure for couples

Cost of education and schooling1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW$13   64 MYR
AVERAGE$40   190 MYR
HIGH$210   1,000 MYR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different couples. On average, education constitutes 1% of the monthly expenditure of couples with 0.00% and 3% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 190 MYR per month with 64 MYR being the minimum spent amount and 1,000 MYR being the maximum.

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW$110   540 MYR
AVERAGE$340   1,600 MYR
HIGH$1,800   8,600 MYR
Per Month
Percentage of couples who manage to save money from their income every month in Petaling Jaya

What percentage of couples in Petaling Jaya are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of couples that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
64%
Not Saving
36%

Almost 64% of surveyed couples in Petaling Jaya said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 36% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Couple savings to income ratio in Petaling Jaya

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do couples manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 24% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,100 MYR
$240
3,400 MYR
$720
18,000 MYR
$3,800
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%26%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%8%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples that are able to save money can put anywhere from 15% to 36% of their monthly income to their savings, with 24% being the average for most couples. The average monthly amount of money that couples can put aside is 3,400 MYR with 1,100 MYR and 18,000 MYR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for couples to save money in Petaling Jaya

Saving Challenges in Petaling Jaya

Reasons that make it difficult for couples to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping couples from maximizing their savings in Petaling Jaya. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans15%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending11%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later20%
Inflation12%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the couples said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% of couples blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 20% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do couples choose to put their savings in Petaling Jaya

Typical saving choices for couples in Petaling Jaya

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold12%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings19%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks5%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for couples to live in Petaling Jaya

Affordable living in Petaling Jaya

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked couples one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Petaling Jaya?


Yes
69%
No
31%

Around 69% of surveyed couples think that living in Petaling Jaya is affordable with proper budgeting while 31% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for couples. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Petaling Jaya

Low-cost alternatives in Petaling Jaya

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked couples how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options63%

Few low-cost options37%


Based on the survey, 63% of the couples living in Petaling Jaya have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Couples

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked couples of Petaling Jaya whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes69%

No31%


Based on the survey, 31% of the couples living in Petaling Jaya said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for couples in Petaling Jaya

Financial Literacy in Malaysia

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy61%


We asked couple guardians and parents in Petaling Jaya whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 39% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 61% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether couples of Malaysia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 29% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 71% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance29%

Easily manages finances71%

Financial goals and targets of couples living in Petaling Jaya

Financial goals of couples in Petaling Jaya

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Petaling Jaya, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction39%
Retirement Savings9%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing7%
Travel or Lifestyle8%
Healthcare Expenses12%
Financial Independence6%

Around 8% of couples said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 39% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of couples who are in debt in Petaling Jaya

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Petaling Jaya


Percentage of couples who are in debt


In Debt
25%
Debt Free
75%

According to the survey, 25% of the couples in Petaling Jaya have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 75% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Petaling Jaya

Debt-to-income ratio in Petaling Jaya

Debt to income ratio

29%

20% to 40%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of a couple's monthly income in Petaling Jaya goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%16%
40% - 50%13%
30% - 40%15%
20% - 30%12%
10% - 20%14%
0% - 10%26%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Petaling Jaya pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 16% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Petaling Jaya

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage10%
Auto Loan17%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card28%
Personal Loan41%

10% of debtors in Petaling Jaya confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 17% of people and personal loans rose at 41%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Petaling Jaya.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Petaling Jaya

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked couples of Petaling Jaya how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never52%
Once a year23%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Petaling Jaya

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Petaling Jaya

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Petaling Jaya

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

720 MYR 1,100 MYR 2,900 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $610

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,100 MYR 1,700 MYR 4,300 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$230 $360 $910

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,400 MYR 2,200 MYR 5,700 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $460 $1,200

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 MYR 2,900 MYR 7,800 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $610 $1,700

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

3,400 MYR 8,600 MYR 17,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$730 $1,800 $3,600

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,900 MYR 4,300 MYR 12,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$610 $910 $2,600

House monthly rent cost

3,400 MYR 8,600 MYR 17,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$730 $1,800 $3,600

Villa monthly rent cost

4,300 MYR 11,000 MYR 17,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$910 $2,300 $3,600

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Petaling Jaya ranges between 720 MYR and 2,900 MYR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,100 MYR to 4,300 MYR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,400 MYR and 5,700 MYR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,700 MYR to 7,800 MYR. The average rent of a townhouse in Petaling Jaya is around 4,300 MYR while house rental costs can be as high as 8,600 MYR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 4,300 MYR to 17,000 MYR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Petaling Jaya

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

140,000 MYR 220,000 MYR 430,000 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $46,000 $91,000

1-bedroom apartment price

170,000 MYR 290,000 MYR 1.1M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36,000 $61,000 $230,000

2-bedroom apartment price

290,000 MYR 860,000 MYR 1.7M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$61,000 $180,000 $360,000

3-bedroom apartment price

960,000 MYR 1.4M MYR 4.3M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200,000 $300,000 $910,000

Townhouse price

1.2M MYR 2.9M MYR 11M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$260,000 $610,000 $2.3M

House price

1.4M MYR 8.6M MYR 12M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300,000 $1.8M $2.6M

Villa price

1.7M MYR 9.6M MYR 14M MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360,000 $2M $3M

The average price of a studio apartment in Petaling Jaya can range from 140,000 MYR to 430,000 MYR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 170,000 MYR to 1.1M MYR. A villa can cost you 9.6M MYR on average with prices ranging from 1.7M MYR to 14M MYR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Petaling Jaya will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


43 x126 monthly income 223
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Petaling Jaya can be x126 to x223 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x126 multiples of the average monthly salary in Petaling Jaya.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


23% 33% of income 44%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Petaling Jaya is around 33%. This means that people pay 33% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 44% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
31%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.1%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


13 MYR 170 MYR 1,700 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Petaling Jaya

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Petaling Jaya

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

130 MYR 430 MYR 2,800 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$27 $91 $590

Internet and cable cost

41 MYR 81 MYR 110 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.6 $17 $23

Mobile phone bill and charges

33 MYR 54 MYR 160 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.9 $11 $34

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of couples is around 430 MYR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 41 MYR to 110 MYR with 81 MYR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 54 MYR but can range between 33 MYR and 160 MYR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2.1% 5.2% of income 9.4%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Petaling Jaya is around 5.2%. This means that people pay 5.2% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.4% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Petaling Jaya

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Petaling Jaya

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

8.1 MYR 16 MYR 27 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $3.4 $5.7

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Petaling Jaya is approximatly 16 MYR with meal cost ranging from 8.1 MYR to 27 MYR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

28 MYR 42 MYR 84 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.9 $8.8 $18

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 28 MYR and 84 MYR with 42 MYR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Petaling Jaya.

Fine dining meal for one price

56 MYR 84 MYR 330 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $18 $71

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 56 MYR to 330 MYR with the average cost being 84 MYR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Petaling Jaya.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

6.8 MYR 11 MYR 16 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $2.3 $3.4

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Petaling Jaya is around 11 MYR. Price ranges between 6.8 MYR and 16 MYR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

5.4 MYR 6.5 MYR 8.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.4 $1.7

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Petaling Jaya is 6.5 MYR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 8.1 MYR and the minimum being 5.4 MYR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

4.1 MYR 5.4 MYR 8.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.86 $1.1 $1.7

A dozen eggs costs around 5.4 MYR on average with 4.1 MYR and 8.1 MYR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

9.2 MYR 12 MYR 17 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2 $2.5 $3.6

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Petaling Jaya is between 9.2 MYR and 17 MYR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 12 MYR.

Pack of beef price

11 MYR 16 MYR 33 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.4 $6.9

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 16 MYR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

4.4 MYR 6 MYR 8.5 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.92 $1.3 $1.8

A bag of rice in Petaling Jaya costs around 6 MYR on average with prices rangeing between 4.4 MYR and 8.5 MYR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.6 MYR 2.2 MYR 4.1 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.34 $0.46 $0.86

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.6 MYR to 4.1 MYR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

2.9 MYR 3.8 MYR 6.3 MYR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.61 $0.80 $1.3

A bag of apples costs 3.8 MYR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Petaling Jaya is around 26%. This means that couples spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for couples

Couples' spending on grocery ranges from 450 MYR to 7,100 MYR with the location, income, and size of the couple being the most determinite factors.

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