Living in Malaysia: cost of living, rents and the salary you need

Updated 2 October 2026

How much do you need to earn to live in Malaysia? Here are rents in the main cities, the minimum wage, healthcare, residence permits and moving costs, with the official source of every figure. For your own case, the calculator starts from your real budget, in your city, and moves it to Malaysia.

Work out my budget in Malaysia

Example: the same life, elsewhere

A single person living in London in a one-bedroom home, with the average spending of a similar household, spends about £3,350 a month. To keep the same life in Kuala Lumpur (KLCC), they would need about RM 6,790 (≈ €1,470) net a month locally (−63%), i.e. 4.1 times the minimum wage.

For a couple with two children in a two-bedroom home (private or international school), it would take about RM 21,600 (≈ €4,660) net a month in Kuala Lumpur (KLCC), i.e. 13 times the minimum wage.

Calculated on 2 October 2026 with the official averages of London and the destination’s prices. Yours depends on your city, home and habits: the calculator works it out in a few minutes, no sign-up.

Rents in Malaysia

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3-bedroom house	1 bedroom in euros
Kuala Lumpur (KLCC)	RM 2,400	RM 4,200	RM 5,680	RM 7,170	€910
Petaling Jaya	RM 1,710	RM 2,000	RM 2,610	RM 2,810	€430
Subang Jaya	RM 1,790	RM 2,120	RM 2,690	RM 2,690	€460
Johor Bahru	RM 1,910	RM 2,000	RM 2,400	RM 2,610	€430
Iskandar Puteri	RM 1,790	RM 2,000	RM 2,610	RM 3,300	€430

Monthly rent in MYR, outside the most sought-after areas. Studio 28 m², 1 bedroom 45 m², 2 bedrooms 65 m², house 95 m² where rent is known per m². Global Property Guide, Malaysia rental yields for Q3 2026: median asking rents of flats (PropertyGuru data), converted to ringgits at the quarter’s average rate (ECB) (Q3 2026).

Wages

The minimum wage is RM 1,670 (≈ €360) net a month (RM 1,700 gross).

Net of the 2% pension contribution (EPF) for foreign employees since October 2025; no income tax at this level.

Average wage: RM 3,800 (≈ €820) gross a month.

Median wage: RM 2,940 (≈ €630) gross a month.

Healthcare

Public care costs foreigners more; check the insurance in your contract or take out private health insurance.

In the example above: foreigners pay full price for public care (RM40 a visit) and employers often provide insurance: we count your health costs at local prices (£10 a month).

Visa and residence permit

The employer applies and pays for your Employment Pass on the MYXpats portal; your family follows on a Dependant Pass. To keep a job abroad, look at the DE Rantau Nomad Pass.

Cost: RM 500 (≈ €110) per person.

Dependant Pass filing fees for the family; the employee’s work permit is paid by the employer.

To live on income from abroad: the DE Rantau Nomad Pass for remote workers, with at least $24,000 a year of income in tech ($60,000 otherwise).

Moving in and everyday life

Deposit: 2.5 months’ rent
Agency fees: No fees for the tenant
School: Private or international school: about RM 55,000 (≈ €11,900) a year
Electricity: RM 0.44 per kWh
Getting around without a car: Rapid Bulanan: RM 150 a month per adult
Home cleaning: RM 40 an hour

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to live in Kuala Lumpur (KLCC)?

For a single person keeping the same life as in London: about RM 6,790 (≈ €1,470) net a month, i.e. 4.1 times the minimum wage.

How much is rent in Kuala Lumpur (KLCC)?

About RM 4,200 (≈ €910) a month for a one-bedroom home and RM 5,680 for a two-bedroom home, according to Global Property Guide, Malaysia rental yields for Q3 2026.

Do you need a residence permit to live in Malaysia?

The employer applies and pays for your Employment Pass on the MYXpats portal; your family follows on a Dependant Pass. To keep a job abroad, look at the DE Rantau Nomad Pass. Cost: RM 500 (≈ €110) per person.