Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur

Real monthly costs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: Renek78, CC0.

Kuala Lumpur is the most expensive of Malaysia's 4 priced cities — $698 a month in essentials, 33% above Kota Kinabalu at $523. The average net salary of $1,542 covers that 2.2×. 120.6 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at unit level. PM2.5 averages 37.9 µg/m³ a year, 8× the WHO guideline of 5. Nov averages 27°C, May 28°C.

Essentials / mo$698rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women120.6ages 20–39, unit level
Avg net salary$1,542monthly, after tax
Safety score41/100higher = safer

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$369
Rent, 1-bed city centre$605
Groceries$117
Dining out$110
Utilities$90
Local transport$12
Essentials / mo$698
Avg net salary$1,542
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$605
Rent, 3-bed city centre$1,183

Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Kuala Lumpur, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$4.64
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$26.86
McMeal at McDonald's$4.88
Cappuccino, regular$3.13
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$4.39
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$6.10
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.81
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.46

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$2.18
White bread, 500 g$1.11
White rice, 1 kg$1.93
Eggs, 12$2.58
Local cheese, 1 kg$15.72
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$4.92
Apples, 1 kg$3.54
Bananas, 1 kg$1.93
Tomatoes, 1 kg$1.63
Potatoes, 1 kg$1.37
Onions, 1 kg$1.46
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.66

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.73
Monthly transit pass$12.21
Taxi start$1.22
Taxi, 1 km$1.22
Gasoline, 1 L$0.78
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$63.99
Internet, 60 Mbps+$26.17
Mobile plan, monthly$9.37

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$49.73
Cinema, one seat$5.37

Dating-age sex ratio

Kuala Lumpur has 120.6 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (unit level). That is the 4th-highest of 6 Malaysia cities we track. Malaysia's national figure is 116.6, so Kuala Lumpur runs 4 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.

Air qualityPM2.5 37.9µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month28°CMay
Coolest month27°CNov
Wettest month398 mmNov
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan27.3°C32.9°C84%86%185 mm
Feb27.8°C33.3°C80%77%130 mm
Mar28°C34.2°C83%79%249 mm
Apr28.1°C34.7°C86%87%314 mm
May28.3°C34.9°C86%90%298 mm
Jun27.9°C34.1°C86%85%202 mm
Jul27.7°C33.8°C85%84%167 mm
Aug27.6°C33.6°C85%86%211 mm
Sep27.4°C33.4°C85%87%236 mm
Oct27.5°C33.5°C85%92%289 mm
Nov27.2°C33.3°C88%95%398 mm
Dec27.2°C33.1°C87%92%268 mm

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