malaysia

Prices and Cost of Living in Malaysia

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Malaysia. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 6.19 USD to 8.99 USD

Transportation

from 1.27 USD to 2.11 USD

Sightseeing

from 2.15 USD to 3.23 USD

Accommodation

from 9.39 USD to 10.43 USD

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 18.99 USD to 24.76 USD

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 4 May 2024.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 90.01 MYR (18.99 USD) to 117 MYR (24.76 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 233 MYR (49.16 USD) to 359 MYR (75.71 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Malaysia. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 4.02 USD to 6.24 USD

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 5.56 USD to 9.84 USD

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 4 May 2024.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Malaysia?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 19.05 MYR (4.02 USD) to 29.58 MYR (6.24 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 26.35 MYR (5.56 USD) to 46.64 MYR (9.84 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 4 May 2024

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Malaysia

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Malaysia, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: Kuala Lumpur.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)2.49 USD
Banana (1kg)1.36 USD
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)8.93 USD
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)14.77 USD
Chicken Fillets (1kg)3.63 USD
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)3.80 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)2.41 USD
Eggs (regular) (12)1.68 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)3.35 USD
Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre37.24 USD
Lettuce (1 head)0.85 USD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)0.76 USD
Local Cheese (1kg)8.45 USD
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.57 USD
Onion (1kg)0.83 USD
Oranges (1kg)2.61 USD
Potato (1kg)0.91 USD
Rice (white), (1kg)1.27 USD
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre37.65 USD
Tomato (1kg)1.31 USD
Water (1.5 liter bottle)0.61 USD

Food and beverage prices in Malaysia

Popular food products found on store shelves in Malaysia include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 3.94 MYR (0.83 USD) for a kilo of onions to 42.34 MYR (8.93 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 6 MYR (1.27 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 3.59 MYR (0.76 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 6.45 MYR (1.36 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 11.78 MYR (2.49 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 2.87 MYR (0.61 USD). Dairy prices in Malaysia, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 7.46 MYR (1.57 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 40.05 MYR (8.45 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 17.22 MYR (3.63 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 7.94 MYR (1.68 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 6.23 MYR (1.31 USD) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)2.57 USD
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)0.57 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)3.80 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)4.22 USD
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)3.80 USD
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course21.10 USD
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant3.16 USD
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.37 USD

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Malaysia vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 12.18 MYR (2.57 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 2.69 MYR (0.57 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 18 MYR (3.8 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 100 MYR (21.1 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 15 MYR (3.16 USD).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)10.55 USD
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)0.63 USD
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)3.16 USD
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)1.05 USD
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)1.05 USD

How much does transportation cost in Malaysia?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 3 MYR (0.63 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 50 MYR (10.55 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 5 MYR (1.05 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 5 MYR (1.05 USD).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L0.45 USD
Gasoline 1L0.43 USD

Fuel prices in Malaysia

Average fuel prices in Malaysia are 2.04 MYR (0.43 USD) per liter of gasoline and 2.14 MYR (0.45 USD) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat4.22 USD
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult38.69 USD
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)7.38 USD

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre441 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre264 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre915 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre498 USD

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Malaysia?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Malaysia varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 1252 MYR (264 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 2091 MYR (441 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 10384 MYR (2191 USD) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre2 191 USD
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre1 131 USD

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)1 207 USD

Hotel Prices in Malaysia

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

What is the average cost of a hotel room?

Accommodation prices in Malaysia vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Kuala Lumpur (May 2024) ranges from 76 MYR (16 USD) per night in a hostel to about 243 MYR (51 USD) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 543 MYR (114 USD) upwards.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
53
32.57 USD
Bestow Boutique Hotel
73
51.27 USD
Time Hotel Kuchai Lama
67
83.72 USD
Trion Kuala Lumpur by Roam
31
145 USD
Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur City Center
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 1 May 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 15 May 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices for products and services in Kuala Lumpur. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 02/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs malaysia

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