Cost of Living in Malaysia for Students & Family in 2024

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Malaysia is a southeastern country with a unique blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. It is famous for its stunning landscapes, beaches, tourist places, food, and hospitality. Malaysia is not only famous among tourists but is also equally popular among students. 

Malaysia boasts a major tourism industry and, compared to Western countries, has a lower cost of living. However, the cost significantly depends on lifestyle and accommodation choices. So, before you move, it's important to know the cost of living in Malaysia and all the expected costs. 

Continue reading to learn more relevant details.

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Average Cost of Living in Malaysia for International Students

The education system in Malaysia is great as it consists of quality yet affordable education, no homework policy, inclusivity, etc, making it a top country among students. 

Below is a breakdown of the typical living costs for international students in Malaysia:

Area of Expense Monthly Cost (in RM)
Accommodation 1,600 RM – 2,500
Food and Groceries 150 RM – 250
Transportation 60 RM – 170
Utilities 250 RM – 350
Entertainment 110 RM – 500
Personal Expenses 90 RM - 150

Average Cost of Living in Malaysia for Bachelors, Couples & Families

Understanding the average cost of living in Malaysia helps with financial planning, especially if you want to settle in Malaysia with your spouse or children.

 The table below will help you plan your finances accordingly:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 1,597 RM- 1,850 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,130 RM - 1,350 RM/month		 City Centre: 1,970 RM - 2,210 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,400 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 2,850 RM - 3,590 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,879 RM- 2,200 RM /month
Food and Groceries 15 RM/ meal 40 RM/ meal 95 RM/ meal
Transportation 50 RM /month 140 RM /month 250 RM /month
Utilities 250 RM - 286 RM /month 340 RM - 460 RM/month 500 RM - 800 RM /month
Entertainment 70 RM - 150/month 170 RM - 250 RM /month 300 RM - 500 RM /month
Personal Expenses 70 RM - 150/month 170 RM - 250 RM /month 300 RM - 500 RM /month

Cost of Living in Major Cities in Malaysia

Here is an overview of the average cost of living in some of the top cities in Malaysia:

 

Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur

The average cost of living in Kuala Lumper is as follows:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 2,298 RM- 3,050 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,630 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 2,500 RM - 3,500 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,400 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 4,587 RM - 5,460 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 2,800 RM- 3,200 RM /month
Food and Groceries Approximately 20 RM/ meal Approximately 130 RM /meal Approximately 400 RM /meal
Transportation Approximately 70 RM /month Approximately 200 RM /month Approximately 300- 600 RM /month
Utilities About 350 RM /month About 600 RM /month About 900 RM /month
Entertainment 50 RM -90 RM /month 100 RM - 250 RM /month 400 RM- 800 RM /month
Personal Expenses 70 RM - 110 RM/month 120 RM - 200 RM/ month 170 - 300 RM/ month

Cost of Living in Petaling Jaya

The average cost of living in Petaling Jaya is as follows:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 1,998 RM- 2,050 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,630 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 2,500 RM - 3,500 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,400 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 3,577 RM - 4,500 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 2,800 RM- 3,200 RM /month
Food and Groceries Approximately 20 RM/ meal Approximately 130 RM /meal Approximately 400 RM /meal
Transportation Approximately 70 RM /month Approximately 200 RM /month Approximately 300- 600 RM /month
Utilities About 350 RM /month About 600 RM /month About 900 RM /month
Entertainment 50 RM -90 RM /month 100 RM - 250 RM /month 400 RM- 800 RM /month
Personal Expenses 70 RM - 110 RM/month 120 RM - 200 RM/ month 170 - 300 RM/ month

Cost of Living in Klang

The average cost of living in Klang is as follows:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 2,000 RM- 2,500 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,330 RM - 1,650 RM/month		 City Centre: 2,500 RM - 3,200 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,400 RM - 1,750 RM/month		 City Centre: 3,525 RM- 3,700 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 2,166 RM- 2,500 RM /month
Food and Groceries Approximately 20 RM/ meal Approximately 130 RM /meal Approximately 400 RM /meal
Transportation Approximately 100 RM /month Approximately 250 RM /month Approximately 300- 500 RM /month
Utilities About 250 RM /month About 400 RM /month About 800 RM /month
Entertainment 50 RM -90 RM /month 100 RM - 250 RM /month 400 RM- 800 RM /month
Personal Expenses 60- 110 RM/month 120 RM - 150 RM/ month 200 RM- 280 RM/month

Cost of Living in Johor Bahru

The average cost of living in Johor Bahru is as follows:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 1,600 RM- 1,850 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,400 RM - 1,550 RM/month		 City Centre: 1,900 RM - 2,200 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,600 RM - 1,950 RM/month		 City Centre: 2,640 RM - 3,200 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 2,185 RM- 2,400 RM /month
Food and Groceries Approximately 20 RM/ meal Approximately 130 RM /meal Approximately 400 RM /meal
Transportation Approximately 70 RM /month Approximately 200 RM /month Approximately 300- 600 RM /month
Utilities About 250 RM /month About 400 RM /month About 800 RM /month
Entertainment 70 RM -90 RM /month 120 RM - 250 RM /month 400 RM- 800 RM /month
Personal Expenses 70 RM- 100 RM/ month 110 RM- 160 RM/ month 180- 200 RM/ month

Cost of Living in George Town

The average cost of living in Johor George Town is as follows:

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: 1,600 RM- 1,850 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,212 RM - 1,500 RM/month		 City Centre: 1,900 RM - 2,200 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 1,600 RM - 1,950 RM/month		 City Centre: 3,040 RM - 3,200 RM /month
Suburban Areas: 2,285 RM- 2,400 RM /month
Food and Groceries Approximately 20 RM/ meal Approximately 110 RM /meal Approximately 400 RM /meal
Transportation Approximately 50 RM /month Approximately 150 RM /month Approximately 300- 600 RM /month
Utilities About 250 RM /month About 400 RM /month About 800 RM /month
Entertainment 70 RM -90 RM /month 120 RM - 250 RM /month 400 RM- 800 RM /month
Personal Expenses 50 RM- 100 RM/ month 120 RM- 160 RM/ month 180- 200 RM/ month

Factors Impacting the Cost of Living in Malaysia

Several factors influence the cost of living in Malaysia:

Location

Urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Penang are on the expensive end, so you will need to earn accordingly to manage your finances here. Rural areas or suburban areas are more affordable.

Lifestyle

Expenses on food and entertainment are major areas, and that can be kept in check as per your budget. There are many ways to get free entertainment in Malaysia, like going to the beach, etc.

Housing

Living expenses in Malaysia can get a little high as the standard of living is higher in urban cities like Penang and Kuala Lumpur. This is why most international students find part-time jobs to afford good accommodations in Malaysia.

Transportation

Transportation by public means is quite cheap, but personal means such as cars can be expensive, so it is advised to take a monthly pass to save money.

Utilities and Groceries

Prices for food and other necessities may differ from place to place in Malaysia. However, local markets are much cheaper, and you will get fresher ingredients. Try cooking at home instead of eating out to save up a little extra.

What is the Average Income in Malaysia?

The income needed to live comfortably in Malaysia varies based on individual circumstances:

  • Student: A student typically needs 1,550 RM to 1,600 monthly to live comfortably.

  • Bachelor: An income of 2,700 RM to 2,900 per month is enough to cover basic expenses for a single person. 

  • Couple: A couple usually requires a combined income of 3,200 RM to 5,000 per month to live comfortably.

  • Families: A family of four may need an income of 8,500 RM to 9,800 per month for families.

The table below mentions some of the highest-paying jobs in Malaysia, along with their salaries:

Job Title Average Salary (RM)/month
Heart transplant Surgeon 29,400 RM
Chief of Surgery 28,400 RM
Reconstructive Surgeon 26,500 RM
Supreme Court Judge 19,600 RM
Administrative Law Judge 17,600 RM
General Counsel 15,700 RM
Global Banking Manager 14,700 RM
Chief Executive Officer 14,700 RM
Aviation Manager 13,700 RM
Finance Director 13,600 RM
Airport Service Manager 13,500 RM
College Dean 12,700 RM
Airline Pilot 11,300 RM

How Expensive is Malaysia Compared to Other Countries?

Malaysia is known for its excellent quality of living, and combined with great weather and warm hospitality, this country is making progress to become widely populated with students and working class. 

Below is a comparison of living costs between Malaysia and other major cities:

City Accommodation (Monthly) Transportation (Monthly) Meal for 2 People Other Miscellaneous Expenses
Kuala Lumpur Starting 1,630 RM Starting 70 RM 50 RM 200 RM
Helsinki Starting 700 RM Starting 20 RM 35 RM 300 RM - 600 (per month)
Dubai Starting AED 4,904 Starting AED 300 AED 300 AED 600 (per month)
Delhi Starting ₹17,000 Starting ₹1,000 ₹1,200 ₹2,000 (per month)
Sydney Starting AUD 2,255.23 Starting AUD 160 AUD 120 AUD 50 - AUD 100 (per month)
New York Starting $2,960 Starting $132 $130 Starting $200 (per month)
London Starting £1,100 Starting £177 £80 £200 - £300 (per month)
Singapore S$2,000 - S$4,000 S$1,000 - S$1,500 S$92.50 S$200 - S$400 (per month)
Tokyo ¥150,000 - ¥200,000 ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 ¥7,125 ¥10,000 - ¥15,000 (per month)
Berlin €800 - €1,200 €80 to €90 €70 €100 - €200 (per month)
Shanghai Starting CNY 3,785 Starting CNY 250 CNY 200 CNY440 (per month)

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Living in Malaysia

Here are some tips to help reduce the average cost of living in Malaysia:

  • Students and bachelors can look to sharing apartments to reduce the cost of living in Malaysia. 

  • Students get student discounts and coupons in various restaurants across Malaysia to reduce the cost further. 

  • Malaysia offers relatively cheap public transport that can be utilised while travelling across cities. You can also consider cycling if the distance can be covered. 

  • Buying foods and groceries from local markets can be cheaper than expensive supermarkets, and also the local markets offer fresh produce. 

  • Make sure to switch off all appliances when you re leaving your apartment to save up on the electricity bill. During summers, Malaysia can get quite warm, so you can open windows to let in natural air to reduce the cost of air conditioning. 

  • Preparing your meals at home is cheaper than eating out or getting a takeout. 

Malaysia offers a range of entertainment options for bachelors, couples, and families, but you need to be smart with your expenditures to ensure that you have some savings left by the end of the month. Though Malaysia is moderately expensive, there are a lot of ways to save money and enjoy the city while you are there. 

This article provides all the necessary information about the cost of living in Malaysia so that you can make informed decisions and manage your expenses effectively.

FAQs about the Cost of Living in Malaysia