Island in Kedah, Malaysia
Cost of living in Langkawi
How much a month costs in Langkawi
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $930–1,420 (RM3,800–5,800).
Prices in Langkawi
Typical 2026 ranges in MYR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MYR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | RM1,200–2,200 | $294–539 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | RM800–1,500 | $196–367 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | RM35–80 | $8.6–19.6 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | RM150–350 | $37–86 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | RM8–15 | $2.0–3.7 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | RM35–70 | $8.6–17.1 |
| Cappuccino | RM9–15 | $2.2–3.7 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | RM8–18 | $2.0–4.4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | RM15–30 | $3.7–7.3 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | RM30–60 | $7.3–14.7 |
Value for money: 81/100
A value score of 81/100 means Langkawi gives more quality of life per dollar than 80% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 64/100. It's the 9th 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 Langkawi
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hue | Vietnam | $578–963 |
| Phong Nha | Vietnam | $539–848 |
| Sukhothai | Thailand | $656–1,040 |
| Ninh Binh | Vietnam | $539–925 |
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Langkawi?
About $539–735 on a lean budget, $930–1,420 for a comfortable month and $1,960–3,920 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Langkawi?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs RM1,200–2,200 ($294–539) a month in the center and RM800–1,500 ($196–367) outside it.
How much does food cost in Langkawi?
A local meal is RM8–15 ($2.0–3.7); a mid-range restaurant is RM35–70 ($8.6–17.1) per person.
Is Malaysia expensive?
Prices in Malaysia are about 32% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Langkawi
Going to Langkawi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Langkawi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Langkawi International Airport (Malaysia Airports)
- Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)
- 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.