Malaysia (MY)
Multicultural, English-friendly Malaysia offers affordable living, world-class street food, tropical lifestyle, and a well-developed expat infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Region: Asia
Language: Malay
Currency: MYR (RM)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 40)
Emergency: 999
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Malaysia — 2026 data in MYR.
40
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Chicken breast (500g) — supermarket RM8–13
Eggs (10-pack — fresh) RM4–7
Rice (Jasmine, 5kg) RM18–28
Bread loaf (Gardenia or Massimo) RM3.50–5
UHT milk (1L) RM5–8
Imported cheese (Parmesan, 100g) RM12–22
Imported wine (mid-range bottle, Jaya Grocer) RM55–120
Beer (Heineken / Tiger, 6-pack) RM38–55 (from supermarket)
Fresh vegetables (mixed, 500g) — wet market RM2–6
Dining Out
Nasi lemak (banana leaf) — roadside or pasar RM1.50–4
Char kway teow (hawker centre) RM7–14
Roti canai with dhal at mamak RM1.50–2.50
Teh tarik at mamak RM1.50–2.50
Nasi campur / economy rice (3 lauk / sides) RM6–12
Fast food combo meal (McDonald's/KFC) RM15–20
Lunch at kopitiam / hawker centre (1 dish + drink) RM8–15
Mid-range restaurant dinner (per person) RM35–80
Fine dining (per person) RM150–400
Craft beer at a bar (KL city) RM18–30
Cocktail at a rooftop bar RM35–65
Starbucks Tall Latte RM18–22
Iced coffee at local café (Malaya Kopi etc.) RM8–14
Durian (musang king, per kg) RM40–120 (season: May–Aug, Dec–Feb)
Rent
Studio / 1-bed condo — Mont Kiara, Bangsar (expat area) RM2,500–4,500
2-bed condo — Mont Kiara, Bangsar (expat area) RM4,000–8,000
3-bed condo — Mont Kiara, Bangsar (furnished, expat standard) RM6,000–15,000
Studio / 1-bed — Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya (mid-range) RM1,200–2,500
2-bed condo — Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya (mid-range) RM2,000–4,000
Studio — KL city centre (Bukit Bintang, KLCC) RM2,000–4,000
3-bed terrace house — PJ / Subang Jaya suburb RM2,500–5,000
3-bed condo — Penang Georgetown / Gurney RM2,500–5,000
2-bed condo — Johor Bahru (near Singapore) RM1,500–3,500
Service apartment / SOHO — outer KL suburbs RM1,000–2,000
Transport
LRT/MRT single trip (short, KL) RM1.20–3.40
MyRapid unlimited monthly pass (KL rail) RM100
Grab (GrabCar, 5km trip in KL) RM8–18
KLIA Ekspres (KL Sentral to airport) RM55
RON95 petrol (1 litre) — market rate for foreigners RM3.50–4.00 (approx 2026 market price; Malaysians pay subsidised rate)
Highway toll KL–Penang (one way, PLUS) RM35–50 (Touch 'n Go card)
KTM ETS KL–Ipoh (2nd class) RM35–65
AirAsia KL–Penang (one-way, booked in advance) RM39–149
Health & Insurance
GP visit — government clinic (Klinik Kesihatan) RM1–15 (free for emergency; token fee)
GP visit — private clinic RM30–80
Specialist consultation — private hospital RM150–400
Emergency visit — private hospital RM300–800 (before tests)
Full blood panel — private hospital RM150–400
MRI scan — private hospital RM700–1,800
Dental: basic check-up + cleaning (private) RM80–200
Normal delivery — private hospital RM5,000–15,000
Prescription (generic, per item) RM5–30
Utilities
TNB Electricity (air-con heavy use) RM200–600
Water (Syabas / state utility) RM15–50
Piped gas (Petronas) or LPG cylinder (12kg) RM25–30 per cylinder
Fibre internet (100Mbps–1Gbps, Unifi/TIME) RM79–200
Mobile plan (unlimited 4G/5G, CelcomDigi) RM50–80
Condo maintenance fee / service charges RM200–800 (varies by condo)
Childcare
Government preschool (Tabika Kemas, age 4–6) Free to RM30/month
Private kindergarten / preschool (mid-range) RM300–600/month
International school KL (annual tuition) RM30,000–80,000/year
Malaysian government school (public) Free (nominal fees <RM100/year)
Live-in nursemaid / amah (maid for childcare) RM800–1,500/month
Leisure
Gym membership (Celebrity Fitness, True Fitness) RM150–250/month
Gym (neighbourhood / budget gym) RM60–120/month
Cinema ticket (TGV / GSC — standard) RM16–22
Golf (18 holes, public course weekday) RM70–150
Badminton court (1 hour) RM8–20
Swimming pool at condo (included in maintenance fee) Free (most condos)
Langkawi day trip (Grab ferry + day) RM80–200
Cost of Living
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