SharifStudy Best way to Study in Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most affordable countries for international students who plan to study in Malaysia since it has low living and studying costs compared to other countries like the US, UK, and Australia which are partners of some Malaysian universities and colleges.
This makes the country one of the most popular destination countries to study.
Here are some costs and expenses for a daily routine for cost of living in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. All the prices are in Ringgit Malaysia and update in May 2024.
Accommodation
Students can select between on-campus and off-campus lodging, with on-campus lodging typically being the most practical choice.
Off-campus housing is typically made up of school-owned private residences or homes, whilst on-campus amenities are typically halls of residence or student hostels.
Please let the institution or college know if you need accommodations when you accept the course offer.
While some institutions provide self-catered housing, others charge a token daily fee of between USD 2.50 and USD 5.00. The walking distance to the school, the furnishings, and the variety of amenities offered should all be considered while selecting off-campus housing.
| Type of Accommodation | Monthly Rent in USD* |
| 🏨School Housing (Single Bedroom) | $80 – $300 |
| 🏨School Housing (Shared Apartment) | $80 – $200 |
In addition to on-campus and off-campus accommodations, students can rent or buy a house that is more expensive than university Accommodations.
Rent Per Month |
|
| 🏨Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | 2,426.92 RM |
| 🏡Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | 1,512.50 RM |
| 🏨Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | 4,396.43 RM |
| 🏡Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center | 2,619.64 RM |
Buy Apartment Price |
|
| 🏠Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Center | 11,365.84 RM |
| 🏠Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Center | 5,631.56 RM |
Food and Restaurants
Malaysia is a potpourri of various cultures and a country openly renowned for its delectable cuisine. It surely packs a punch in terms of its infinite offers.
Enjoy the finest Malaysian cuisine, which combines elements of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, and other indigenous cultures.
Due to Malaysia’s multiculturalism, you can find a 24-hour “Mamak” booth that serves halal local Malay and Indian cuisine for as little as $3 USD, including delicacies like Nasi Lemak, Rendang, and Nasi Kandar. Do not worry; there are also Chinese vendors that sell dim sum and noodles 24/7.
Restaurants |
|
| 🍛Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 19.79 RM |
| 🍛Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 120.00 RM |
| McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 20.00 RM |
| 🍺Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | 16.00 RM |
| 🍺Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 20.00 RM |
| ☕️Cappuccino (regular) | 12.72 RM |
| 🥤Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.61 RM |
| Water (0.33-liter bottle) | 2.21 RM |
Shopping and Markets
Malaysia is renowned for its thriving retail tourism, offering everything from amazing deals on Petaling Street to worldwide luxury brands at Suria KLCC or Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping centers.
You can look for great prices at your local secondhand store or in well-known shops that are typically open from 10 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
Some of the retail centers in the vicinity of KL city center offer free shuttle service. Check with the mall information desk to see whether there is a free shuttle bus service from Mid Valley Megamall and surrounding MRT stations to Bangsar MRT Station offered by shopping centers like 1 Utama Shopping Mall.
Additionally, the majority of malls offer a wide range of contemporary conveniences, such as accessible restrooms and spaces for people to pray.
If you are searching for something with a little more local flavor, you might explore farmer’s markets for local produce. Night markets are also well-liked and provide a variety of trinkets and snacks
Markets |
|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 8.03 RM |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 4.08 RM |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 6.38 RM |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 8.54 RM |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 58.81 RM |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 19.58 RM |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 47.45 RM |
| Apples (1kg) | 12.03 RM |
| Banana (1kg) | 6.59 RM |
| Oranges (1kg) | 13.21 RM |
| Tomato (1kg) | 6.52 RM |
| Potato (1kg) | 4.35 RM |
| Onion (1kg) | 4.20 RM |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 4.46 RM |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | 2.86 RM |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 70.00 RM |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) | 13.59 RM |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 18.86 RM |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 18.00 RM |
Utilities, Telecommunication and Internet Services
These are some of the well-known telecommunications in Malaysia. They can keep you connected quickly, particularly in cities: Maxis, Digi, U Mobile, Celcom, and redONE.
Please be aware that network coverage and performance vary depending on specific geographic regions, and that some places may see better performance from one provider than from another.
When comparing, be sure to look at each company’s download and upload speeds as well as latency and dependability.
Utilities (Monthly) |
|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 249.25 RM |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 50.93 RM |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 122.22 RM |
Sports and Leisure
Regular physical activity can help you gain muscle strength and endurance. Exercise helps your cardiovascular system perform more efficiently by delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues And when your heart and lung health improves, you will have more energy to complete daily tasks.
If you want an urban adventure, there are some wonderful running clubs on trails. These are KLCC Park, Perdana Botanical Garden, and Rimba Kiara. A park is conveniently accessible for a workout or a walk with your pet.
Many sports have active interest groups, such as rock climbing, kayaking, tennis, and football, so look around for anything that interests you!
Sports And Leisure |
|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 207.10 RM |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 34.64 RM |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 20.00 RM |
Public Transportation
Most people prefer to travel by land within its borders since it is more affordable. Inter-state, inter-city, and intra-city bus connections are accessible via MyRapid and other bus services.
Exploring cultural and geographical beauties such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Melaka, George Town, or even Kota Kinabalu is a breeze with a well-connected transit network.
Transportation |
|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.00 RM |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 50.00 RM |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 5.00 RM |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 5.00 RM |
| Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 15.00 RM |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 2.05 Volkswagen |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 160,000.00 RM |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 133,076.24 RM |
Preschool and Primary School for Children
Preschool and Primary School |
|
| Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | 1,020.00 RM |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 33,500.00 RM |
Clothing and Shoes
Keep in mind that Kuala Lumpur is a cosmopolitan city with no dress code and a wide range of designs. People in the capital city and other big towns are acclimated to outsiders, as is the case in many Muslim nations, and are therefore more accepting and liberal.
Please be aware that the populace is more conservative and traditional outside of the tourist regions, so cover your shoulders, stomach, hips, and bare legs. Because of the heat and humidity, we advise wearing light clothing made of natural fibers, such as linen, silk, or cotton.
Since it rains frequently, lightweight clothing will also dry faster.
Clothing And Shoes |
|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 230.48 RM |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 140.32 RM |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 325.35 RM |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 294.09 RM |
Salaries and Financing
The salaries for various professions vary greatly. Malaysia’s average monthly salary for an employee in 2022 is about 6,590 MYR. The lowest average wage is 1,670 MYR, while the highest is 29,400 MYR (the highest average, the actual maximum salary is higher).
Salaries And Financing |
|
| 💵 Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,733.03 RM |
| 💵 Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 4.12 |
In addition to the expenses we mentioned above, there are other cost you may don’t pay attention to. They are important for an international student including:
Medical Expenses
Everyone can afford medical costs. You may readily locate government hospitals, private medical facilities, or GP clinics in any residential neighborhood. You would typically spend around USD 15 for a doctor’s appointment, the appropriate medicine, and other related expenses.
As an alternative, you can utilize the on-campus medical facilities. It include devoted nurses and occasionally even doctors are on call. They provide services like treating minor injuries and illnesses and providing over-the-counter, emergency medication.
For foreign students to study in Malaysia, they must have medical insurance. It is also a need for receiving a student permit. The majority of your medical expenses would be paid in accordance your insurance.
Although there are less expensive options, students between the ages of 16 and 60 should anticipate paying about USD 250. The cost is per year for coverage of up to USD 10,000 (subject to change from time to time).
Opening a Bank Account
Opening a bank account is one of the most crucial things you should do once you have settled down. You could electronically pay your monthly rent and tuition bills with online banking. You also receive your part-time job’s compensation, and withdraw cash from the extensive network of ATMs.
CIMB and Maybank are the top local banks with the largest network of branches and ATMs across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. International students are also welcomed with open arms by foreign banks including HSBC, Citibank, and Bank of China.
As long as you have the necessary documentation, including your student ID, passport, certificate of enrollment, proof of address, and a cash deposit of about MYR 250, opening a bank account with a Malaysian bank is rather simple (USD 60).
Laundry
For services like washing, ironing, and dry cleaning, maintaining your wardrobe may cost you roughly USD 15 per month. The cost of a 10 kg wash can be as little as USD 3. However the weather in Malaysia makes the latter rarely necessary.
