Have you fallen in love with Malaysia and want to move there? Many people are captivated by the unique charm of this Southeast Asian country. The lively neighborhoods of Kuala Lumpur, dominated by the Petronas Towers, the idyllic Langkawi archipelago, and the rich Malaysian culture all attract visitors. But what budget should you realistically plan for living in this country? Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of living in Malaysia.
Overview of the Average Cost of Living in Malaysia
The cost of living in Malaysia is lower than the average in other Southeast Asian countries. Compared to France, the cost of living in Malaysia is more than twice as cheap, although the purchasing power in France is 44.5% higher.
| Average monthly salary | 846€ |
| Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Center (Kuala Lumpur) | Between 300€ and 800€ |
| Purchase Price of an Apartment per Square Meter in the City Center (Kuala Lumpur) | 2 560€ on average |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0,42€ |
| Mobile Phone Plan | Between 5€ and 20€ per month |
| Grocery Budget | 85% lower than in France |
| Meal for Two in a Mid-Range Restaurant | 26€ |
Currency and Exchange Rate
The official currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit, abbreviated as “MYR.” Each MYR is divided into 100 sen. Coins in circulation are valued at 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 sen. As for banknotes, their denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 MYR.
Currently, 1 MYR is equivalent to €0.20, which means 5 MYR is worth €1 (as of July 28, 2024).
Accommodation
The property market in Malaysia is booming, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. The capital is the economic heart of the country, with a wide range of properties on offer:
- For a one-bedroom apartment rental in the city center, expect a budget of around 2,400 MYR (€480). Outside the city center, the average price is 1,700 MYR (€340).
- If you want to become a homeowner, the average price per m2 in Kuala Lumpur city center is MYR 12,900 (EUR 2,590), and MYR 5,850 (EUR 1,175) outside the city center.
Other Malaysian cities generally offer housing at lower prices than the capital.
- The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Malaysia is around MYR1,200 (EUR240) per month, and the purchase price per m2 ranges from MYR4,800 to MYR8,700 (EUR965 to EUR1,740).
Food
Although the grocery budget is 85% lower compared to France, it remains the main expense to consider when living in Malaysia.
To give you a better idea of the grocery budget, here’s a table (in euros) showing the prices of basic food items in Malaysia:
| Food item | Price in Malaysia |
| Rice (1 kg) | €1,16 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | €1,76 |
| Chicken Fillets | €3,60 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €7,15 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2,28 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1,14 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €1,17 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €0,93 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €0,88 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1,48 |
| Water (1.5 L) | €1,48 |
| Imported Beer (33 cl) | €3,18 |
Transport Budget
There are various ways to get around Malaysia. Here’s what you need to know about each available mode of transport:
| Type of transport | Characteristics | Average Price |
| Train | There are two main train lines. – The first links the whole of Malaysia, from the cities to the countryside. – The second links Kuala Lumpur with Singapore and northern Thailand. | MYR 1.20 (EUR 0.24) to Kuala Lumpur MYR 3 (EUR 0.60) for intercity connections MYR 200 (EUR 40) for long-distance travel |
| Bus | There is a large network of bus routes throughout the country, for both urban and intercity journeys. | MYR 1 (EUR 0.20) per trip in the city Kuala Lumpur – Skudai: MYR 35 (EUR 7) Kuala Lumpur – Penang: MYR 30 (EUR 6) |
| Taxi | Like buses, taxis serve the cities and also connect the different regions. | MYR 4 (EUR 0.80) starting fare MYR 3 (EUR 0.60) price per km |
| Car | Malaysia has a good road network. | Price per liter of petrol: MYR 2.06 (EUR 0.41) Car rental: from MYR 150 (EUR 30) per day. |
| Motorcycle | Widely used in the big cities to avoid traffic jams. | Available for hire from MYR 30 (EUR 6) per day. |
| Plane | Numerous domestic routes are available to connect the country’s main cities and islands. | Economy class tickets cost from MYR300 to MYR900 (EUR60 to EUR180). |
Healthcare in Malaysia
When it comes to healthcare in Malaysia, here are the average prices for certain medical services:
| Medical Services | Average Price |
| Consultation with a general practitioner | 150 MYR (30 EUR) |
| Consultation with a specialist | 250 MYR (50 EUR) |
| Consultation with a dentist | 50 to 100 MYR (10 to 20 EUR) |
| Fitting a crown | From 1 500 to 1 800 MYR (300 to 360 EUR) |
| Blood test | 50 MYR (10 EUR) |
| X-ray | 35 MYR (7 EUR) |
| Ultrasound | 300 MYR (60 EUR) |
| CT scan | 900 MYR (180 EUR) |
| MRI | 1 200 MYR (241 EUR) |
Malaysia has a reliable medical infrastructure, making its health sector one of the best in Southeast Asia.
The Malaysian healthcare system is based on universal health insurance. However, coverage is not always satisfactory. It is therefore recommended to subscribe to international health insurance that offers expatriates comprehensive coverage and quick access to care.
Education and Schooling in Malaysia
In Malaysia, school is mandatory from age 6 to 15. Here’s the average annual cost of schooling in the country:
- Primary: 29,500 MYR (€5,900)
- Secondary: 45,000 MYR (€9,000)
- High School: 55,000 MYR (€11,000)
- Higher Education: between 40,000 MYR and 65,000 MYR (€8,000 and €13,000)
For a French education, you can choose the Lycée Français de Kuala Lumpur (LFKL), which teaches mainly French, English, and Malay. The school’s 2024-2025 fees are as follows:
- Kindergarten: MYR 29,100 (EUR 5,845)
- Primary school: MYR 35,000 (EUR 7,030)
- Intermediate: MYR 42,300 (EUR 8,496)
- High school: MYR 46,700 (EUR 9,380)
Telecommunication Services
Malaysian telecommunications companies offer various plans.
- The price of a monthly mobile plan with calls and 10+ GB of data ranges between 30 and 80 MYR (€6 to €17).
- The cost of an internet subscription with a speed of 60 Mbps and unlimited data is between 95 and 160 MYR (€19 to €32).
Sports and Leisure
Whether on weekdays or weekends, in the city or amidst nature, there’s no shortage of activities in Malaysia. The country is full of diverse leisure options for families, individuals, or couples.
- Entrance to Taman Negara National Park : MYR 1 (EUR 0.20).
- Visit to Batu Caves: MYR 15 (EUR 3) for the caves and free entry to the temple.
- Cameron Highlands Flora Park: MYR 50 (EUR 10) per adult and MYR 10 (EUR 2) per child.
- Trip to Petronas Towers: MYR 37 (EUR 7.43) per adult and MYR 17 (EUR 3.41) per child.
- Day trip to Berjaya Time Square theme park: MYR 75 (EUR 15) per adult and MYR 65 (EUR 13) per child (aged 3-12), free for children under 3.
- Malaysian cinema ticket: MYR 20 (EUR 4).
- Fitness club: MYR 160 (EUR 32) per month.