Malaysia🇲🇾
At a Glance
How Malaysia compares across key indices
Cost of Living
34 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
52/100
Healthcare
71/100
Quality of Life
135/200
Climate
58/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Malaysia
Cost of Living
34
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
9
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
43
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
24
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Bintulu
Cheapest$825/mo
Kuching
$905/mo
Penang
$965/mo
Johor Bahru
$1,078/mo
Kuala Lumpur
$1,272/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Malaysia — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
52/100
Crime Index
48/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
56/100
Mixed perception
Walking Safety
22 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 2,069 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Malaysia
Malaysia has 6 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $825 in Bintulu to $1,272 in Kuala Lumpur. Penang leads on safety, scoring 71/100. Kuala Lumpur ranks highest for quality of life at 136/200.
Bintulu
$825/mo
Penang
71/100
Kuala Lumpur
136/200
Kuala Lumpur
69/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bintulu | $825 | — | — | — | — |
| Kuching | $905 | — | — | — | — |
| Penang | $965 | 71/100 | — | — | — |
| Johor Bahru | $1,078 | 51/100 | — | — | — |
| Kuala Lumpur | $1,272 | 41/100 | 136/200 | 69/100 | 65 |
| Klang | — | 44/100 | — | — | — |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Malaysia
Healthcare Index
71/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 345 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Malaysia
Pollution Index
61/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 497 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Malaysia
Average One-Way Commute
37minutes
Average
Traffic Index
168
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
186
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
7.7kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 316 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Malaysia, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Malaysia?
Malaysia has a cost of living index of 34 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $825 in Bintulu and reach $1,272 in Kuala Lumpur.
What is the cheapest city in Malaysia for expats?
Bintulu is the most affordable city in Malaysia with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $825 for a single person including rent. Kuching is the next most affordable at $905/mo.
Is Malaysia safe for expats?
Malaysia has a safety index of 52/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Penang scores highest on safety at 71/100.
What is the best city in Malaysia for expats and digital nomads?
Kuala Lumpur ranks highest for quality of life in Malaysia, scoring 136/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,272/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Bintulu offers the lowest monthly costs at $825/mo.
How good is healthcare in Malaysia?
Malaysia scores 71/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Malaysia cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Malaysia's cost of living is roughly 66% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 91% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Malaysia
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