Southeast Asia

Cost of living in Malaysia

Capital: Kuala LumpurMalay, English, Chinese, TamilUpdated October 2026

32%of US price level

Is Malaysia expensive?

Prices in Malaysia are about 32% of US price levels (World Bank PPP). The most affordable place we cover is Ipoh, at about $735–1,100 a month for a comfortable life.

Cost of living in Malaysia, by place

One person, rent included. SoloSquare estimates in US$.

Place	Month, comfortable	1-bed rent, center	Local meal	Value
Ipoh	$735–1,100	$220–416	$1.5–2.9	92/100
Cameron Highlands	$783–1,180	$196–392	$2.0–3.7	90/100
Sandakan	$783–1,180	$196–392	$1.7–3.4	91/100
Taman Negara	$735–1,220	—	$2.0–3.7	89/100
Malacca	$857–1,270	$294–539	$1.7–3.4	85/100
Kuching	$857–1,270	$269–539	$1.7–3.4	87/100
Perhentian Islands	$930–1,350	—	$2.4–4.9	85/100
Tioman	$930–1,350	—	$2.4–4.4	84/100
Langkawi	$930–1,420	$294–539	$2.0–3.7	81/100
Kota Kinabalu	$979–1,470	$367–686	$2.0–3.7	81/100
Johor Bahru	$979–1,470	$367–735	$1.7–3.4	71/100
Semporna	$979–1,590	—	$2.0–3.7	63/100
Penang	$1,030–1,590	$441–857	$1.7–3.4	74/100
Genting Highlands	$1,100–1,710	—	$2.4–4.4	71/100
Kuala Lumpur	$1,220–1,960	$539–1,100	$2.0–3.7	57/100
Redang	$1,220–1,960	—	$2.9–5.4	62/100

Cost of living by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.