Johor Bahru ranks 3rd of 4 priced cities in Malaysia on cost — $678 a month in essentials, 30% above Kota Kinabalu, the cheapest. The average net salary of $1,070 covers that 1.6×. 125.6 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at unit level. PM2.5 averages 18.7 µg/m³ a year, 4× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 26°C, May 28°C.
Monthly cost breakdown
Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.
| Item | Monthly USD |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed outside centre | $391 |
| Rent, 1-bed city centre | $519 |
| Groceries | $102 |
| Dining out | $92 |
| Utilities | $81 |
| Local transport | $12 |
| Essentials / mo | $678 |
| Avg net salary | $1,070 |
| Rent, 3-bed outside centre | $635 |
| Rent, 3-bed city centre | $898 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.
Everyday prices
What single items cost in Johor Bahru, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.
Eating out
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $3.66 |
| Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses | $24.41 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $4.88 |
| Cappuccino, regular | $2.80 |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught | $4.64 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle | $6.35 |
| Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L | $0.87 |
| Water, 0.33 L bottle | $0.52 |
Groceries
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Milk, 1 L | $1.70 |
| White bread, 500 g | $1.07 |
| White rice, 1 kg | $1.46 |
| Eggs, 12 | $1.69 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | $18.09 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | $4.57 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $3.33 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $1.70 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $1.64 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | $1.44 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $1.69 |
| Water, 1.5 L bottle | $0.52 |
Transport & bills
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket, local transport | $0.73 |
| Monthly transit pass | $12.21 |
| Taxi start | $1.46 |
| Taxi, 1 km | $0.73 |
| Gasoline, 1 L | $0.79 |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² flat | $52.49 |
| Internet, 60 Mbps+ | $28.50 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | $11.09 |
Leisure
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Gym, monthly | $39.89 |
| Cinema, one seat | $4.88 |
Dating-age sex ratio
Johor Bahru has 125.6 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (unit level). That is the highest of the 6 Malaysia cities we track. Malaysia's national figure is 116.6, so Johor Bahru runs 9 above the country as a whole.
Every Malaysia region by male-to-female ratio →
A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.
Climate & air
Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg | Feels | Humidity | Cloud | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26.5°C | 30.9°C | 85% | 88% | 244 mm |
| Feb | 26.8°C | 31°C | 83% | 78% | 112 mm |
| Mar | 27.3°C | 32.4°C | 83% | 77% | 205 mm |
| Apr | 27.6°C | 33.5°C | 85% | 83% | 263 mm |
| May | 27.9°C | 33.9°C | 86% | 83% | 254 mm |
| Jun | 27.6°C | 33.2°C | 85% | 81% | 212 mm |
| Jul | 27.6°C | 32.8°C | 84% | 78% | 150 mm |
| Aug | 27.4°C | 32.6°C | 85% | 82% | 191 mm |
| Sep | 27.3°C | 32.6°C | 85% | 82% | 186 mm |
| Oct | 27.3°C | 32.9°C | 85% | 87% | 268 mm |
| Nov | 26.8°C | 32.3°C | 87% | 93% | 378 mm |
| Dec | 26.7°C | 31.5°C | 86% | 92% | 274 mm |
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