City in Perak, Malaysia
Cost of living in Ipoh
How much a month costs in Ipoh
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $735–1,100 (RM3,000–4,500).
Prices in Ipoh
Typical 2026 ranges in MYR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MYR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | RM900–1,700 | $220–416 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | RM600–1,200 | $147–294 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | RM25–55 | $6.1–13.5 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | RM100–220 | $24–54 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | RM6–12 | $1.5–2.9 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | RM25–50 | $6.1–12.2 |
| Cappuccino | RM8–14 | $2.0–3.4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | RM14–25 | $3.4–6.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | RM1–3 | $0.24–0.73 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | RM8–16 | $2.0–3.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | RM80–170 | $20–42 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | RM30–60 | $7.3–14.7 |
Value for money: 92/100
A value score of 92/100 means Ipoh gives more quality of life per dollar than 91% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 66/100. It's the 1st most affordable of 16 places we cover in Malaysia.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Malaysia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ipoh | $735–1,100 | 92/100 |
| Cameron Highlands | $783–1,180 | 90/100 |
| Sandakan | $783–1,180 | 91/100 |
| Taman Negara | $735–1,220 | 89/100 |
| Malacca | $857–1,270 | 85/100 |
| Kuching | $857–1,270 | 87/100 |
| Perhentian Islands | $930–1,350 | 85/100 |
| Tioman | $930–1,350 | 84/100 |
| Langkawi | $930–1,420 | 81/100 |
| Kota Kinabalu | $979–1,470 | 81/100 |
| Johor Bahru | $979–1,470 | 71/100 |
| Semporna | $979–1,590 | 63/100 |
| Penang | $1,030–1,590 | 74/100 |
| Genting Highlands | $1,100–1,710 | 71/100 |
| Kuala Lumpur | $1,220–1,960 | 57/100 |
| Redang | $1,220–1,960 | 62/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Ipoh
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hue | Vietnam | $578–963 |
| Phong Nha | Vietnam | $539–848 |
| Ninh Binh | Vietnam | $539–925 |
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
| Sapa | Vietnam | $578–963 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Ipoh?
About $416–588 on a lean budget, $735–1,100 for a comfortable month and $1,470–2,450 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Ipoh?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs RM900–1,700 ($220–416) a month in the center and RM600–1,200 ($147–294) outside it.
How much does food cost in Ipoh?
A local meal is RM6–12 ($1.5–2.9); a mid-range restaurant is RM25–50 ($6.1–12.2) per person.
Is Malaysia expensive?
Prices in Malaysia are about 32% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Ipoh
Going to Ipoh solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- KTMB (ETS train)
- Tourism Malaysia
- Grab Malaysia
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.