Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Malaysia (2026)
What everyday life costs in Malaysia — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with South-eastern Asia.
- Quality of Life Index
- 125.8
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 49.3
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 70.1
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $427/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $2.77
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $988
- 2023
Quality of life trends in Malaysia
Typical living costs in Malaysia
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $427/mo | 2023 | +5.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $275/mo | 2023 | -0.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $733/mo | 2023 | -7.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $47.45/mo | 2023 | -2.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $26.25/mo | 2023 | +0.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $10.17/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $2.77 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $18.45 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $2.73 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $11.53 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $0.47 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $36.74/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $184/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $988 | 2023 | -3.9% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 125.8 | 2024 | -0.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 49.3 | 2024 | +4.7% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 70.1 | 2024 | +0.1% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 61.4 | 2024 | -0.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 57.9 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 125.8 | 49.3 | 70.1 | 61.4 | 57.9 |
| 2023 | 126 | 47.1 | 70 | 61.7 | 57.9 |
| 2022 | 118 | 44.3 | 70.1 | 62.1 | 57.5 |
| 2021 | 116.9 | 42.1 | 69.6 | 62.6 | 59.1 |
| 2020 | 118.4 | 41.2 | 68.1 | 63.2 | 57.9 |
| 2019 | 122.1 | 39.2 | 67.6 | 63.7 | 60.1 |
| 2018 | 116 | 36.9 | 65.6 | 66.5 | 58.1 |
| 2017 | 51.6 | 35.2 | 66 | 67.1 | -79.4 |
Malaysia compared with South-eastern Asia
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 125.8 | 49.3 | 70.1 | $2.77 | $427/mo |
| Cambodia | — | — | — | $4.50 | — |
| Indonesia | 94.8 | 53.9 | 60.8 | $1.72 | $359/mo |
| Philippines | 85.9 | 57.2 | 67.4 | $3.56 | $356/mo |
| Singapore | 160.9 | 76.5 | 70.6 | $11.10 | $3,253/mo |
| Thailand | 97.7 | 62.1 | 77.2 | $2.97 | $516/mo |
| Vietnam | 92.7 | 57.8 | 60.8 | $2.04 | $389/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.