MigrantoCost of living in Malaysia
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Malaysia
Spending runs from MYR 860 a month in the poorest fifth to MYR 6,840 in the richest
Per person, whole country
MYR 2,190
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
MYR 860richest 20%
MYR 6,840
Where people spend money in Malaysia
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Malaysia in numbers
The cheapest of its neighbours
No neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs MYR 2,970 here against MYR 2,970 in Indonesia, the closest on price.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 84% of countries. A basket that costs MYR 4,060 at world-middle prices costs MYR 2,970 here.
Communication takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 8.7% of spending here, or MYR 191 a month, against 2.5% in a typical country, 6.2 points more.
Typical spending takes 64% of the average wage
A typical person spends MYR 2,190 a month while the average take-home wage is MYR 3,450, so 36% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
The richest fifth spends 8× the poorest
Spending runs from MYR 860 a month in the poorest fifth to MYR 6,840 in the richest, which is #43 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
How living costs in Malaysia compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Malaysia against other countries
Cheaper than 84% of countries
Where Malaysia sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs MYR 4,060 at world-middle prices costs MYR 2,970 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Malaysia
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Cost of living in Malaysia
MYR 860/mo
vs MYR 3,250 in your country
Take-home
MYR 2,030
vs MYR 4,870 in your country
Potential savings
MYR 1,170
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Malaysia?
A typical person in Malaysia spends about MYR 2,190 a month — around MYR 26,300 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Malaysia?
By spending, Malaysia ranks #80 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about MYR 2,190 a month, the poorest 20% about MYR 860 and the richest 20% about MYR 6,840. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Malaysia in US dollars?
The cost of living in Malaysia is about $540 a month, or roughly $6,480 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Malaysia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about MYR 860 a month per person, a typical one around MYR 2,190, and a comfortable life around MYR 3,220. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Malaysia?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about MYR 564 a month (26% of spending). Then come housing (MYR 333, 15%) and transport (MYR 276, 13%).
Is the average salary in Malaysia enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about MYR 2,190 a month, while the average take-home pay in Malaysia is about MYR 3,450. For more on incomes, see salaries in Malaysia.
Is Malaysia an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Malaysia is more expensive than 57% of countries worldwide and ranks 9th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
What currency is used in Malaysia?
Malaysia uses the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Malaysia
See the full country overview