Cost Of Living in Kuala Lumpur 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Kuala Lumpur
Whether you're living in Kuala Lumpur or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MYR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: MYR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: MYR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: MYR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: MYR
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Kuala Lumpur
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.
Spending to Income Ratio
95%
86% to 110%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 5% |
| 50% - 60% | 10% |
| 60% - 70% | 16% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 18% |
| 90% - 100% | 10% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Kuala Lumpur is 95%
This means that on average, people spend around 95% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio
79%
98%
Couple
95%
Spending-Income-Ratio
86%
110%
Family
98%
Spending-Income-Ratio
88%
110%
How much money can you save in Kuala Lumpur every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Kuala Lumpur manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 74% of the surveyed people in Kuala Lumpur said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 26% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Kuala Lumpur
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 74% | 26% |
| Couples | 72% | 28% |
| Families | 63% | 37% |
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.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
310 MYR
$67 | 3,100 MYR
$670 | 47,000 MYR
$10,000 |
For most people, 15% to 39% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 25% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 3,100 MYR on average with savings ranging from 310 MYR to 47,000 MYR.
74% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 72% of couples said the same. 63% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
300 MYR
$63 | 2,700 MYR
$570 | 30,000 MYR
$6,300 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 31% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 19% to 41% of their monthly income to savings, with 29% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 2,700 MYR with 300 MYR and 30,000 MYR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
620 MYR
$130 | 4,000 MYR
$840 | 37,000 MYR
$7,800 |
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 who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 17% to 41% of their monthly income, with 28% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 4,000 MYR with 620 MYR and 37,000 MYR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
950 MYR
$200 | 4,700 MYR
$1,000 | 47,000 MYR
$10,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 38% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 6% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Kuala Lumpur can save anywhere between 13% to 34% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 4,700 MYR with 950 MYR and 47,000 MYR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Kuala Lumpur is 7,600 MYR. Expenses can range from 1,100 MYR at the minimum level to 84,000 MYR at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Kuala Lumpur is 11,000 MYR. Expenditure can range from 1,700 MYR to 100,000 MYR per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Kuala Lumpur is 13,000 MYR per month. Families spend anywhere from 2,600 MYR to 130,000 MYR.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Kuala Lumpur is 5,400 MYR. Students spend from 820 MYR to 60,000 MYR per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
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.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Kuala Lumpur
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kuala Lumpur
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 110 MYR | 550 MYR | 5,500 MYR |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
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 expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Kuala Lumpur ranges between 56 MYR and 4,400 MYR with average being 390 MYR, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 430 MYR with 58 MYR and 4,800 MYR being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 550 MYR. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 51 MYR to 140 MYR with 100 MYR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 55 MYR but can range between 33 MYR and 170 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
The average utility-to-income ratio in Kuala Lumpur is around 5.9%. This means that people pay 5.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Financial goals of people in Kuala Lumpur
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Kuala Lumpur, 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 Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 39% |
| Retirement Savings | 9% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 7% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 8% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 12% |
| Financial Independence | 6% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey 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.
How do people spend their money in Kuala Lumpur?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
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 Expenditure25%
25% of total expenses on average (14% to 33%)
| LOW | $52 250 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $520 2,500 MYR |
| HIGH | $7,800 37,000 MYR |
| Per Month |
People living in Kuala Lumpur typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 2,500 MYR with expenditure ranging from 250 MYR to 37,000 MYR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)
| LOW | $7.7 37 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $77 370 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,200 5,500 MYR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kuala Lumpur ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 370 MYR with 37 MYR and 5,500 MYR being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $17 79 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $170 790 MYR |
| HIGH | $2,500 12,000 MYR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 79 MYR to 12,000 MYR on commuting with 790 MYR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $41 190 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $410 1,900 MYR |
| HIGH | $6,100 29,000 MYR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Kuala Lumpur is 1,900 MYR. The cost of groceries can range between 190 MYR to 29,000 MYR. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $10 48 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $100 480 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,500 7,200 MYR |
| Per Month |
People in Kuala Lumpur allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 48 MYR to 7,200 MYR with 480 MYR being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)
| LOW | $6.5 31 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $65 310 MYR |
| HIGH | $970 4,600 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 31 MYR to 4,600 MYR with 310 MYR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $9.7 46 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $97 460 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,500 6,900 MYR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 460 MYR per month with 46 MYR being the minimum spent amount and 6,900 MYR being the maximum.
Other Expenses13%
13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
| LOW | $22 100 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $220 1,000 MYR |
| HIGH | $3,300 16,000 MYR |
| Per Month |
Saving Challenges in Kuala Lumpur
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Kuala Lumpur. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 15% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
| Impulsive Spending | 11% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 6% |
| Will do it later | 19% |
| Inflation | 12% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people 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% 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. 19% 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.
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Kuala Lumpur
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Kuala Lumpur and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Kuala Lumpur:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 18,000 MYR |
| 30 | 38,000 MYR |
| 35 | 68,000 MYR |
| 40 | 99,000 MYR |
| 45 | 140,000 MYR |
| 50 | 200,000 MYR |
| 55 | 240,000 MYR |
| 60 | 310,000 MYR |
| 65 | 340,000 MYR |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 13% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Kuala Lumpur 620 MYR
$130 | 5,500 MYR
$1,200 | 62,000 MYR
$13,000 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Kuala Lumpur
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 24% of the people in Kuala Lumpur have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Kuala Lumpur
Debt to income ratio
28%
19% to 38%
( 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 28% of the people's monthly income in Kuala Lumpur goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 15% |
| 40% - 50% | 13% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 20% - 30% | 12% |
| 10% - 20% | 15% |
| 0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Kuala Lumpur pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% 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 Kuala Lumpur
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 10% |
| Auto Loan | 18% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 28% |
| Personal Loan | 40% |
10% of debtors in Kuala Lumpur 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 18% of people and personal loans rose at 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Kuala Lumpur.
About credit score and debt managementManaging 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 Kuala Lumpur
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents 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 |
|---|
| Never | 52% |
| Once a year | 23% |
| Twice a year | 12% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Low-cost alternatives in Kuala Lumpur
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 residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Kuala Lumpur have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
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 residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes66%
No34%
Based on the survey, 34% of the people living in Kuala Lumpur said that they don't have an emergency fund while 66% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
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 residents of 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 residents of 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%
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kuala Lumpur
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 23,000 MYR | 46,000 MYR | 62,000 MYR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Utility Bill - Couple
Utility Bill - Family
| 110 MYR | 550 MYR | 5,500 MYR |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 930 MYR | 1,400 MYR | 3,700 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1,400 MYR | 2,300 MYR | 5,700 MYR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 2,000 MYR | 2,900 MYR | 7,800 MYR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 200,000 MYR | 290,000 MYR | 590,000 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 240,000 MYR | 400,000 MYR | 1.5M MYR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 370,000 MYR | 1.1M MYR | 2.2M MYR |
| $79,000 | $240,000 | $470,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 960 MYR | 1,200 MYR | 1,600 MYR |
Double Bed
| 650 MYR | 980 MYR | 1,200 MYR |
Single Bed
| 590 MYR | 770 MYR | 1,000 MYR |
Living Room
| 1,100 MYR | 1,500 MYR | 5,100 MYR |
Dining Table
| 480 MYR | 640 MYR | 1,200 MYR |
Sofa or Couch
| 650 MYR | 890 MYR | 2,000 MYR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 660 MYR | 990 MYR | 2,000 MYR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 590 MYR | 920 MYR | 1,300 MYR |
Washing Machine
| 720 MYR | 1,000 MYR | 1,900 MYR |
Stove or Cooker
| 690 MYR | 880 MYR | 1,200 MYR |
Mobile Phone
| 820 MYR | 990 MYR | 1,400 MYR |
Laptop or Computer
| 920 MYR | 1,100 MYR | 2,000 MYR |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kuala Lumpur
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Kuala Lumpur
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 930 MYR | 1,400 MYR | 3,700 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,400 MYR | 2,300 MYR | 5,700 MYR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,000 MYR | 2,900 MYR | 7,800 MYR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,400 MYR | 4,000 MYR | 11,000 MYR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 4,600 MYR | 11,000 MYR | 23,000 MYR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 3,700 MYR | 5,600 MYR | 16,000 MYR |
House monthly rent cost
| 4,600 MYR | 11,000 MYR | 23,000 MYR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 5,600 MYR | 14,000 MYR | 22,000 MYR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kuala Lumpur ranges between 930 MYR and 3,700 MYR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,400 MYR to 5,700 MYR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,000 MYR and 7,800 MYR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 2,400 MYR to 11,000 MYR. The average rent of a townhouse in Kuala Lumpur is around 5,600 MYR while house rental costs can be as high as 11,000 MYR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 5,600 MYR to 22,000 MYR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Kuala Lumpur
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 200,000 MYR | 290,000 MYR | 590,000 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 240,000 MYR | 400,000 MYR | 1.5M MYR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 370,000 MYR | 1.1M MYR | 2.2M MYR |
| $79,000 | $240,000 | $470,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 1.3M MYR | 1.9M MYR | 5.7M MYR |
Townhouse price
| 1.7M MYR | 3.9M MYR | 15M MYR |
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Kuala Lumpur can range from 200,000 MYR to 590,000 MYR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 240,000 MYR to 1.5M MYR. A villa can cost you 13M MYR on average with prices ranging from 2.4M MYR to 20M MYR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kuala Lumpur 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
| 56 | x164 monthly income | 289 |
Property prices in Kuala Lumpur can be x164 to x289 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x164 multiples of the average monthly salary in Kuala Lumpur.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Kuala Lumpur is around 39%. This means that people pay 39% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 27% to 51% 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
30% 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.
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.
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.
Affordable living in Kuala Lumpur
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kuala Lumpur?
Around 66% of surveyed residents think that living in Kuala Lumpur is affordable with proper budgeting while 34% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Typical saving choices for people in Kuala Lumpur
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 12% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 19% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 5% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kuala Lumpur
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kuala Lumpur
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kuala Lumpur is approximatly 19 MYR with meal cost ranging from 9.7 MYR to 32 MYR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 34 MYR and 100 MYR with 50 MYR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 64 MYR to 390 MYR with the average cost being 97 MYR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kuala Lumpur.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kuala Lumpur is around 13 MYR. Price ranges between 8.3 MYR and 20 MYR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Kuala Lumpur is 8.1 MYR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 10 MYR and the minimum being 6.7 MYR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 6.4 MYR on average with 4.8 MYR and 9.6 MYR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kuala Lumpur is between 12 MYR and 21 MYR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 15 MYR.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 21 MYR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Kuala Lumpur costs around 7 MYR on average with prices rangeing between 5.1 MYR and 9.9 MYR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.9 MYR to 4.9 MYR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 4.6 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
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kuala Lumpur is around 29%. This means that people spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 36% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 1,100 MYR per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 160 MYR and 12,000 MYR depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 1,400 MYR per month. That number can be get as low as 210 MYR or a high as 13,000 MYR. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 410 MYR to 21,000 MYR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Ampang
The average cost of living in Ampang is 4,700 MYR, which is 50% less than the country average. Ampang is ranked first in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 Klang
The average cost of living in Klang is 5,000 MYR, which is 38% less than the country average. Klang is ranked second in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#3 Subang Jaya
The average cost of living in Subang Jaya is 5,300 MYR, which is 38% less than the country average. Subang Jaya is ranked third in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#4 Kuching
The average cost of living in Kuching is 5,700 MYR, which is 38% less than the country average. Kuching is ranked fourth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#5 Kota Kinabalu
The average cost of living in Kota Kinabalu is 6,100 MYR, which is 25% less than the country average. Kota Kinabalu is ranked fifth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#6 Johor Bahru
The average cost of living in Johor Bahru is 6,500 MYR, which is 25% less than the country average. Johor Bahru is ranked sixth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#7 Shah Alam
The average cost of living in Shah Alam is 6,900 MYR, which is 25% less than the country average. Shah Alam is ranked seventh in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#8 Petaling Jaya
The average cost of living in Petaling Jaya is 7,300 MYR, which is 13% less than the country average. Petaling Jaya is ranked eighth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#9 Ipoh
The average cost of living in Ipoh is 7,800 MYR, which is 13% less than the country average. Ipoh is ranked ninth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#10 Kuala Lumpur
The average cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 8,200 MYR, which is same as the country average. Kuala Lumpur is ranked tenth in Malaysia in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: February 7, 2024 Last Update: April 4, 2025
