Student cost of living in Malaysia

Modern, robust and ever-growing, Malaysia attracts an increasing number of visitors yearly. Home to over 120,000 international students, Malaysia is also proven to be a popular study destination.

One of the main advantages of studying in Malaysia is undoubtedly its affordable cost of living. The value of the Malaysian ringgit is relatively low, making the Southeast Asian country an appealing choice for budget-conscious students seeking to study abroad.

However, the student cost of living in Malaysia can fluctuate based on where you live and study, your lifestyle and housing preferences. Therefore, careful budgeting is still essential if you don't want to put yourself under too much financial stress when studying abroad.

Read on for our breakdown of the student cost of living in Malaysia and plan your study abroad budget in advance.

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation

Most Malaysian universities offer on-campus accommodation for international students ranging from as little as MYR 120 to MYR 2,200 per month.

For instance, Universiti Sains Malaysia charges MYR 122 to MYR 305 per month for its on-campus accommodation, while a room in Taylor's University's student halls of residence costs MYR 970 to MYR 2,160 per month.

Some well-known Malaysian universities, such as Universiti Malaya, provide assured housing options for first-year undergraduate students. Nevertheless, students must apply ahead of time to secure their spot.

Most residence halls are fully or partly furnished, featuring essentials like a bed, table, chair and other amenities. Students have the option of self-catered or catered accommodations.

These on-campus residences often include air-conditioning, refrigerators, televisions, Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and other facilities. You might sometimes find residence halls that provide self-service laundry options at an additional cost. 

Off-campus/privately rented accommodation

If you would rather live away from the bustle of campus life, you can rent privately, either by yourself or with flatmates.

To give you a general idea, at the time of writing, the estimated average monthly rent for non-shared housing in Kuala Lumpur is around MYR 2,200. Non-shared accommodation in Penang will cost you a monthly average of MYR 1,740 to MYR 2,060.

While off-campus private housing is generally affordable, utility bills are not always included in the rent. You usually have to pay your utility bills in addition to your rent. 

If you wish to live in an individual rental flat, you will need up to MYR 2,900 to cover your monthly rent. Your exact rental cost will vary with locations and individual flats. Flats located in city centres tend to be more expensive.

Sharing a flat with other renters can significantly reduce your monthly rent. A shared flat in Malaysia will cost you an average of MYR 200 to MYR 1,020 per month. Aside from the geographical area and type of flats, the number of flatmates will affect how much you will be paying each month.

Utilities

You can't really escape from your utility bills no matter where you are in the world, and Malaysia is no exception. If you decide to go for privately rented accommodation, you often have to pay utility bills on top of your rent. 

Fortunately, the cost of utilities in Malaysia is relatively low. Here's roughly what you will be paying each month:

• Water and energy (air-conditioning/electricity) for an 85m² flat: MYR 205

• Internet (60 Mbps or more): MYR 119

• Mobile phone monthly plan (with calls and at least 10GB data): MYR 40.50

Transportation

Malaysia boasts well-developed public transport networks. International ports are all connected to bus and rail services, while larger cities offer options for travel by bus, minibus, taxi, pedicabs and trains.

The average one-way local transport fare is approximately MYR 3, and a monthly pass usually costs around MYR 60 to MYR 80. For taxi services, the initial fee is about MYR 5 on average, with a charge of around MYR 3 per km.

Moreover, Malaysian institutions often provide complimentary bus rides for international students to explore prominent city attractions, so make sure you don't miss them out.

Groceries

You can find many large supermarket chains in Malaysia. Together with a variety of local market stalls and independent shops, your grocery options in Malaysia are endless.

You can rely on your local Lotus's or Ben's Independent Grocer for convenience, but if you are after bargains, it's worth checking out independent shops and market stalls.

These are the average prices of some common grocery items:

• Milk (1L): MYR 7.12

• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): MYR 3.72

• Chicken fillets (1 kg): MYR 18.58

• Apples (1kg): MYR 10.42

• Tomatoes (1 kg): MYR 5.54

• White rice (1 kg): MYR 5.14

• Eggs (12 pack): MYR 7.14

• Potatoes (1 kg): MYR 3.63

• Local cheese (1 kg): MYR 56.71

Leisure and entertainment

Don't forget to maintain a healthy balance between study and play. To help you plan your leisure activities, we've put together a list of average costs of some common forms of leisure and entertainment:

• Local beer at a restaurant or bar (1 pint): MYR 15

• Cappuccino: MYR 11.71

• Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: MYR 80

• Cinema ticket: MYR 18

• Monthly gym membership: MYR 153.37

Check out the video below for more tips on minimising your living expenses as an international student in Malaysia.

Are you intrigued about studying in Malaysia after learning about the affordable cost of living in the Southeast Asian country? Why not delve into the Malaysian higher education system to help decide whether Malaysia is your ideal destination for fulfilling your study abroad dreams?

Disclaimer: All figures in this article are indicative and correct at the time of writing. Since the economy can be subject to rapid, unexpected changes at any time, we always recommend that you do your research before booking any travel.