Cost of living in Malaysia

http://hubpages.com/hub/Cost-of-living-in-Malaysia March 16, 2011

By EvanoOruvan

Living Costs
Before moving to
malaysia, i tried to
get a clear picture
about the cost of
living in Malaysia.
But I wasn't able to
get a clear idea
through online
materials. I was at a
disadvantage
during the salary
negotiation.

Now having lived

here in malaysia, i
thought of listing
down the expenses
i have
incurred/noticed to
help others to get a sense of living costs in Kualalumpur, Malaysia.

Income Tax

Tax is comparatively high in malaysia with very less standard deductions on the income. Apart from
the Income tax, there is a 12.5% service/government tax in all the Big restaurants.

For latest details, check out the malaysian government's Tax department.

http://www.hasil.org.my/english/eng_index.asp

Current Applicable Rates

Housing Costs
in Malaysia
Property
Price/Rentals

Basic Double
Storey Houses
costs around RM
300,000 in the
outskirts to around
RM 500,000 close
 to the city. The rent
for the same varies
from RM 1000 to
RM 1600. The
housing costs
around a million
ringgits in high
demand areas and
the rent costs
upwards of RM 3000.

The Basic Condo Prices, for a 1000 Sqft, vary from 160000 in the outskirts to RM 300000 close to
the city. The rent for the same varies from RM 1000 to 2000.

Upscale Condos in high demand areas costs upwards of RM 500,000 and the rent will be from RM
3000 & above.

Most of the rental house/condos are available as unfurnished and the rent goes up depening on the
furnishing level.

Check out http://www.iproperty.com.my/ for property/rental listings

Transportation Costs in Malaysia

Public transport is very inadequate for a normal living and owning a car is a must. Mostly a car per
working adult is a must. so working couples will need to own two cars to avoid lot inconvenience.

The cost of ownership of a car is very high and it could be among the worst place to own a car.
Petrol costs RM 1.80 per litre and most of the roads are toll roads. It will cost easily around RM 100
for a average home to office/shopping in a month.

On Road Prices of some of the cars available in Malaysia

Toyota Camry 2.0 - RM 150,000

Toyota Altis - RM 110,000

Toyota Yaris - RM 100,000 above

Honda Accord 2.0 - RM 145,000

Honda Civic 2.0 - RM 125,00

Hona Civic 1.8 - RM 110,000

Honda Jazz - RM 105,000

BMW 3 series - RM 250,000 & above

BMW 5 series - RM 500,000 & above

Nissan X-Trail - RM 140,000

Citroen C5 - RM 195,000

Mitsubishil Lancer 2.0 - RM 115,000

Hyundai Getz - RM 65,000

Malaysian made cars are comparatively cheaper than the imported Models.

Perodua Myvi 1.3 RM 50,000

Proton waja 1.6 RM 65,000

Proton Perdana - RM 95000

The Used car prices of european make cars are considerably cheaper than those of japanese
make.

Check out http://www.autoworld.com.my/ for detail listings and prices

Food Costs in Malaysia

Groceries
Milk -1 litre - RM 4

Bread - 1 Pocket - RM 4

Egg - 12 Eggs - RM 4

Onion - 1 kg - RM 2

tomatoes - 1kg - RM 3.5

Chicken - 1 kg - RM 7

Fish - 1 kg - RM 15

Rice - 5 kg - RM 25

Oil - 1 litre - RM 10

Grapes - 1 kg - RM 10

Apple - 1 - RM 1

Orange - 2 - RM 1

Eating out
Nasi Kandar, Indian Restaurants - RM 10 per person ( avg )

Chinese Restaurants - RM 15 per person

Big Restaurants - RM 30 per person

Pizza Large - RM 30

McDonald Burger - RM 10

KFC chicken Meal - RM 10

TGI Friday/Chillis - RM 40-50 per person

Eating out at hawker stalls are very common in malaysia and costs are generally cheaper
compared to restaurants.
Entertainment Costs in Malaysia
CABLE TV - RM 100 to 150

Movie tickets - RM 10

DVD - RM 30 to 60

pirated DVD costs - RM 8

Theme Park - a day pass - around RM 50

Utilities/Services Costs in Malaysia

Utilities

For a limited usage in a month,

Mobile - RM 150 - 200

Landline - RM 100

Broadband - RM 80

Electricity Bill - RM 80 - 100

Water Bill - for normal usage - RM 0 ( yes that is right..zero )

Appliances

32 Inch LCD TV - 2000 - 3000

Refridgerator - RM 1000 - 2000

Washing Machine - RM 1000 - 1500

Home Theatre System - RM 800 - 2000

Sofa - RM 2000 - 5000

Mattresses - RM 1000-4000

Bed Frame - RM 1000-3000

Healthcare Costs
Visit to a clinic for fever/cough - RM 50 - 100

Visit to a Hospital - RM 100 - 200

Mostly the medicinesare imported from either europe/US/australia...so the cost will be in
comparable to those countries.

Health Insurance per person - RM 150 - 200 is advisable, which covers the accident/hospitalization
charges. Still most of the insurance wont cover the visits to the clinic/hospital. Only hospitalization is
covered.
Salary Levels
A typical malaysian starting Salary in Kualalumpur

Sales clerk - RM 1500

Fresh graduate - RM 1500 - RM 2000

Teachers - RM 2000 - RM 3000

IT Engineers - RM 3000 - RM 4000

Doctors - RM 6000 - RM 8000

Drivers - RM 1200 - RM 1500

Technicians - RM 1500 - RM 1800

Admin Clerks - RM 1100 - RM 1300

Malaysian Jobsites generally lists the jobs along with the salary offer. Browsing through a good site
like www.jobstreet.com.my will give a rough idea about the salary levels offered for different jobs.

On the average, a salary of RM 4000 is enough for a basic living in malaysia. Anything above RM
6000 ensures a decent living and with RM 10,000 per month, the life could be really comfortable.

How much is enough for a decent living in Malaysia

That is the question everyone visiting this hub seems to be interested in. But that is a question which
has no straight answers. Everyone's lifestyle is different and the definition of decent living varies with
people. So here is my best effort.

On the average, a salary of RM 4000 is enough for a basic living in malaysia. Anything above RM
6000 ensures a decent living and with RM 10,000 per month, the life could be really comfortable.

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