Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur vs Bangkok

Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 22% lower than in Bangkok (without rent).

Rent in Kuala Lumpur is 6% more expensive than in Bangkok.

Cost of living including rent in Kuala Lumpur is 10% lower than in Bangkok.

Food in Kuala Lumpur is very similar to Bangkok.

Transport in Kuala Lumpur is 58% cheaper than in Bangkok.

Kuala Lumpur vs. Bangkok Comparision

Kuala Lumpur Bangkok
Cost of Living, including rent
892 $
994 $
Without Rent
442 $
569 $
Rent & Utilities
450 $
425 $
Food
295 $
301 $
Transport
70 $
165 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,450 $
723 $
Quality of Life
76
74
Population
2.0M
5.7M

Compare other cities?

Kuala Lumpur Bangkok

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
4.35 $ 4.03 $
Dinner, for 2 27.4 $ 30.2 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.78 $ 6.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.99 $ 3.16 $
Capuccino 3.17 $ 2.89 $
Coke, 330ml 0.85 $ 0.63 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.05 $ 1.99 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.02 $ 1.72 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.42 $ 1.63 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.5 $ 2.49 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $ 22.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.14 $ 3.36 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.2 $ 10.6 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.94 $ 3.18 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.61 $ 1.7 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.88 $ 2.37 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.18 $ 1.67 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.15 $ 1.44 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.46 $ 0.35 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.2 $ 1.27 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.6 $ 19.5 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.2 $ 1.88 $
Cigarette pack 4.31 $ 4.39 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.72 $ 1.22 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 12.4 $ 45.3 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.51 $ 1.22 $
Taxi, 8 km 9.79 $ 11.9 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 20 $ 40.8 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.47 $ 2.56 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.34 $ 4.81 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.46 $ 1.98 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.21 $ 2.11 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
48.4 $ 63 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
75.4 $ 96.3 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
27.7 $ 14.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 343 $ 292 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 604 $ 829 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 495 $ 568 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,006 $ 1,675 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,145 $ 5,850 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,425 $ 2,650 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,450 $ 723 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.53 % 6.22 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 46.4 $ 53.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 4.89 $ 7.39 $
Haircut 6.4 $ 9.51 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 80.1 $ 97.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 59.8 $ 59.4 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 259 $ 662 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 9,485 $ 13,758 $