Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur vs Seoul

Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 44% lower than in Seoul (without rent).

Rent in Kuala Lumpur is 34% cheaper than in Seoul.

Cost of living including rent in Kuala Lumpur is 39% lower than in Seoul.

Food in Kuala Lumpur is 44% cheaper than in Seoul.

Transport in Kuala Lumpur is 55% cheaper than in Seoul.

Kuala Lumpur vs. Seoul Comparision

Kuala Lumpur Seoul
Cost of Living, including rent
892 $
1,461 $
Without Rent
442 $
785 $
Rent & Utilities
450 $
677 $
Food
295 $
526 $
Transport
70 $
155 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,450 $
2,981 $
Quality of Life
76
94
Population
2.0M
9.7M

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Kuala Lumpur Seoul

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
4.35 $ 7.68 $
Dinner, for 2 27.4 $ 40.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.78 $ 5.99 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.99 $ 3.79 $
Capuccino 3.17 $ 3.91 $
Coke, 330ml 0.85 $ 1.63 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.05 $ 2.29 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.02 $ 3.23 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.42 $ 3.3 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.5 $ 3.68 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $ 13.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.14 $ 9.23 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.2 $ 38.3 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.94 $ 7.91 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.61 $ 3.75 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.88 $ 5.86 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.18 $ 4.03 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.15 $ 3.25 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.46 $ 0.9 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.2 $ 2.43 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.6 $ 22.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.2 $ 2.76 $
Cigarette pack 4.31 $ 3.42 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.72 $ 1.14 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 12.4 $ 47.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.51 $ 1.27 $
Taxi, 8 km 9.79 $ 9.05 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 20 $ 25.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.47 $ 5.05 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.34 $ 5.98 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.46 $ 2.35 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.21 $ 3.13 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
48.4 $ 120 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
75.4 $ 184 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
27.7 $ 23.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 343 $ 460 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 604 $ 1,348 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 495 $ 827 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,006 $ 2,513 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,145 $ 21,201 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,425 $ 11,781 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,450 $ 2,981 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.53 % 5.14 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 46.4 $ 54.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 4.89 $ 11.5 $
Haircut 6.4 $ 10.4 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 80.1 $ 91 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 59.8 $ 62.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 259 $ 410 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 9,485 $ 21,834 $