Choose the option closest to your situation.
Used to estimate your costs.
Used as a guide for area and property type. 1 RM ≈ 40 JPY
The key factor in choosing your area.
To gauge support priority.
The simulator asks five questions — what you plan to do in Malaysia, your household, your monthly housing budget, what matters most to you and when you plan to move — and suggests two areas with an estimate of your monthly cost of living. For example, a couple renting with a housing budget of RM 3,000–5,000 a month gets an estimate of RM 8,250 a month.
Two sets of answers, calculated with the same rules as the simulator.
| Item | Couple, renting (housing budget RM 3,000–5,000) | Family with young children, education (housing budget RM 5,000–8,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Suggested areas (1st / 2nd) | Bangsar / Mid Valley; KLCC / Bukit Bintang | Mont Kiara; Ampang / Ulu Kelang |
| Housing | RM 4,000 | RM 6,500 |
| Food & dining | RM 2,500 | RM 3,500 |
| Transport | RM 600 | RM 800 |
| Tuition (international school) | RM 0 | RM 3,500 |
| Utilities & internet | RM 350 | RM 350 |
| Daily goods & misc. | RM 800 | RM 800 |
| Total per month | RM 8,250 | RM 15,450 |
Using this simulator’s assumptions, a couple renting a standard condominium (housing budget RM 3,000–5,000) needs about RM 8,250 a month, and a family with young children in a larger home (RM 5,000–8,000) about RM 15,450 including international school fees. Actual costs vary widely with lifestyle.
Six items: housing, food & dining, transport, international school fees (only when they apply), utilities & internet, and daily goods & misc. One-off costs such as the rental deposit, moving and visa fees are not included.
RM 3,500 a month is added for a family with young children or when your purpose is education, and RM 4,500 a month for a family with teenagers. Otherwise no school fees are added. Actual fees differ by school and year group.
Seven areas, each shown with a rent guide: Mont Kiara (RM 3,500–RM 8,000), KLCC / Bukit Bintang (RM 3,000–RM 7,000), Bangsar / Mid Valley (RM 2,800–RM 6,000), Ampang / Ulu Kelang (RM 2,500–RM 5,500), Penang (RM 1,800–RM 4,500), Johor Bahru (RM 1,200–RM 3,000), TTDI / PJ (RM 2,200–RM 5,000). The two areas with the most points for your answers are shown.
A fixed 1 RM ≈ 40 yen, only to show rough yen amounts. For the latest monthly average, see our ringgit–yen data page, based on Bank Negara Malaysia’s 12:00 middle rates.
Yes. There is no sign-up, and the estimate is calculated in your browser as you answer.
The simulator’s amounts are Property Lab’s estimates. For the latest official figures on housing costs and the ringgit–yen rate: