Living Costs In Malaysia | How Much Does It Really Cost To Live In Malaysia?

Living Costs in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the cost of living varies depending on where you live. Generally speaking, the cost of living is higher in the capital cities than in rural areas. However, there are exceptions. For instance, Kuala Lumpur is expensive compared to other Malaysian cities like Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, and even Malacca.

The living costs in Malaysia can vary according to the region or city you plan on living in. The article will focus on some generalities of costs, and give you an idea of what you need to plan for. This will allow you to live comfortably in any city in Malaysia except Singapore.

If you also plan on converting US dollars or another currency you may end up saving even more money. Please use a currency converter to see what the current conversion is.

You also need to consider the type of lifestyle you expect to be living. Are you a backpacker only in the country for a short period of time? Or do you plan to live in Malaysia as an expatriate within the middle class or higher?

Rent

Rent is usually cheaper than buying a house outright, but some exceptions exist. If you buy a property with a loan, you will pay interest on the money borrowed. This means that you will end up paying more than if you had rented instead.

The average monthly rent in Malaysia is RM1,890 (US$624), according to data from the real estate website PropertyGuru.com. That’s higher than the US average of $766 per month but lower than the UK ($932) and Australia ($1,099).

Utilities

Electricity bills are generally higher in Malaysia compared to other countries. However, electricity prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year. You might find that you spend less during the summer months when air conditioning is used more often.

The average monthly electricity bill in Malaysia is RM1,890 (US$634). In comparison, the average monthly electricity bill in the United States is US$100.

Food

The cost of food varies depending on where you buy your groceries. In Kuala Lumpur, the average price per kilogram of beef ranges between RM5.50 and RM6.00. Chicken is cheaper than beef, averaging around RM3.30 per kg. Pork is expensive, costing about RM4.40 per kg. Fish is relatively inexpensive, averaging around RM2.70 per kg. Vegetables are generally cheaper than meat, ranging from RM1.20 to RM1.80 per kg. Rice is the cheapest item, averaging around RM0.60 per kg.

How you eat will also need to be considered. Because if you like to eat at a buffet from a hotel the costs will be much higher than if you at a food stall along the road as you are walking around.

Transport

You will also need to consider transport costs when looking at living costs in Malaysia. Public transportation is available in major cities, but taxis are often cheaper than buses and trains.

In Kuala Lumpur, public transportation is very affordable. The city has a metro system called KL MRT (Kuala Lumpur Mass Rapid Transit), which runs from 5 am until midnight daily. There are also bus routes throughout the city, and there are also taxi services. Taxis are cheap compared to other countries, but they are not always reliable.

If you want to travel around the country, and at reduced costs. You should check out the train network. Trains are clean and comfortable, and they are usually faster than buses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the living costs in Malaysia will vary from location to location. However, you can get a general idea of overall costs and then get additional details on a per-city basis. This allows you to understand your in-country travel costs and what you might need to have on hand for your overall trip.

Happy Travels!

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