Cost Of Living For a Student in Malaysia 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MYR
Average monthly spending for students in Malaysia
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Malaysia?
Students in Malaysia spend around 4,000 MYR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 610 MYR or as high as 27,000 MYR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Malaysia
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
| 21,000 MYR | 41,000 MYR | 55,000 MYR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
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
| 690 MYR | 1,000 MYR | 2,800 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1,000 MYR | 1,700 MYR | 4,100 MYR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1,400 MYR | 2,100 MYR | 5,500 MYR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 140,000 MYR | 210,000 MYR | 410,000 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 170,000 MYR | 280,000 MYR | 1M MYR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 280,000 MYR | 830,000 MYR | 1.7M MYR |
| $58,000 | $170,000 | $350,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 830 MYR | 1,000 MYR | 1,400 MYR |
Double Bed
| 550 MYR | 830 MYR | 1,000 MYR |
Single Bed
Living Room
| 920 MYR | 1,200 MYR | 4,100 MYR |
Dining Table
| 410 MYR | 550 MYR | 1,000 MYR |
Sofa or Couch
| 550 MYR | 750 MYR | 1,700 MYR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 550 MYR | 830 MYR | 1,700 MYR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 490 MYR | 750 MYR | 1,000 MYR |
Washing Machine
| 630 MYR | 920 MYR | 1,700 MYR |
Stove or Cooker
| 590 MYR | 750 MYR | 1,000 MYR |
Mobile Phone
| 690 MYR | 830 MYR | 1,200 MYR |
Laptop or Computer
| 750 MYR | 920 MYR | 1,700 MYR |
How do students spend their money in Malaysia?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $31 150 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $200 960 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,300 6,400 MYR |
| Per Month |
Students in Malaysia typically spend from 16% to 27% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 960 MYR with expenditure ranging from 150 MYR to 6,400 MYR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $5.1 24 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $34 160 MYR |
| HIGH | $220 1,100 MYR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Malaysia ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 160 MYR with 24 MYR and 1,100 MYR being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $9 43 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $59 280 MYR |
| HIGH | $390 1,900 MYR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 43 MYR to 1,900 MYR in a month on commuting with 280 MYR being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 12%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 25%)
| LOW | $26 120 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $170 800 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,100 5,300 MYR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Malaysia is 800 MYR. The cost of groceries can range between 120 MYR to 5,300 MYR. Students spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 15% and 25% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $7.7 37 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $51 240 MYR |
| HIGH | $340 1,600 MYR |
| Per Month |
Students in Malaysia allocate 4% to 10% 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 7%. The range of medical expenses range from 37 MYR to 1,600 MYR with 240 MYR being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $6.4 30 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $42 200 MYR |
| HIGH | $280 1,300 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 30 MYR to 1,300 MYR with 200 MYR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $24 120 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $160 760 MYR |
| HIGH | $1,100 5,100 MYR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 760 MYR per month with 120 MYR being the minimum spent amount and 5,100 MYR being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $19 91 MYR |
| AVERAGE | $130 600 MYR |
| HIGH | $840 4,000 MYR |
| Per Month |
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.
Affordable living in Malaysia
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Malaysia?
Around 66% of surveyed students think that living in Malaysia is affordable with proper budgeting while 34% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
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 student guardians and parents in Malaysia 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 students 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%
Low-cost alternatives in Malaysia
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 students 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 students living in Malaysia 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 For Students
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 students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes66%
No34%
Based on the survey, 34% of the students living in Malaysia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 66% said that they do.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Malaysia
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Malaysia
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 690 MYR | 1,000 MYR | 2,800 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,000 MYR | 1,700 MYR | 4,100 MYR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,400 MYR | 2,100 MYR | 5,500 MYR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,700 MYR | 2,800 MYR | 7,500 MYR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,300 MYR | 8,300 MYR | 17,000 MYR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 2,800 MYR | 4,100 MYR | 12,000 MYR |
House monthly rent cost
| 3,300 MYR | 8,300 MYR | 17,000 MYR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 4,100 MYR | 10,000 MYR | 17,000 MYR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Malaysia ranges between 690 MYR and 2,800 MYR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,000 MYR to 4,100 MYR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,400 MYR and 5,500 MYR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,700 MYR to 7,500 MYR. The average rent of a townhouse in Malaysia is around 4,100 MYR while house rental costs can be as high as 8,300 MYR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 4,100 MYR to 17,000 MYR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Malaysia
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 140,000 MYR | 210,000 MYR | 410,000 MYR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 170,000 MYR | 280,000 MYR | 1M MYR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 280,000 MYR | 830,000 MYR | 1.7M MYR |
| $58,000 | $170,000 | $350,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 920,000 MYR | 1.4M MYR | 4.1M MYR |
| $190,000 | $290,000 | $870,000 |
Townhouse price
| 1.2M MYR | 2.8M MYR | 10M MYR |
House price
| 1.4M MYR | 8.3M MYR | 12M MYR |
Villa price
| 1.7M MYR | 9.2M MYR | 14M MYR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Malaysia can range from 140,000 MYR to 410,000 MYR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 170,000 MYR to 1M MYR. A villa can cost you 9.2M MYR on average with prices ranging from 1.7M MYR to 14M MYR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Malaysia 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
| 41 | x121 monthly income | 213 |
Property prices in Malaysia can be x121 to x213 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x121 multiples of the average monthly salary in Malaysia.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Malaysia is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% 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.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Malaysia
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Malaysia
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 Malaysia is approximatly 17 MYR with meal cost ranging from 8.3 MYR to 28 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 28 MYR and 83 MYR with 41 MYR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Malaysia.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 55 MYR to 330 MYR with the average cost being 83 MYR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Malaysia.
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 Malaysia is around 11 MYR. Price ranges between 6.9 MYR and 17 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 Malaysia is 6.6 MYR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 8.3 MYR and the minimum being 5.5 MYR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 5.5 MYR on average with 4.1 MYR and 8.3 MYR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Malaysia is between 9.4 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
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 17 MYR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Malaysia costs around 6.1 MYR on average with prices rangeing between 4.4 MYR and 8.6 MYR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.7 MYR to 4.1 MYR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 3.9 MYR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 120 MYR to 5,300 MYR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Malaysia
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Malaysia
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
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 energy and water consumption of students is around 160 MYR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 41 MYR to 110 MYR with 83 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 Malaysia is around 5%. This means that people pay 5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 9% depending on salary and location.
