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Bangkok vs Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 15% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 212 USD a month.

Chakra Maha Prasat Throne Hall Grand Palace Bangkok aerial photo by Don Ramey Logan
Bangkok
$1,383/month · Thailand
Don Ramey Logan · CC BY 4.0
The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
Bangkok monthly
$1,383
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-15%
Kuala Lumpur relative to Bangkok
Rent gap
$100
Bangkok costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BangkokKuala Lumpur
  • Housing
    Housing: Bangkok $700, Kuala Lumpur $600. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Food
    Food: Bangkok $355, Kuala Lumpur $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bangkok $46, Kuala Lumpur $40. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bangkok $107, Kuala Lumpur $86. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bangkok $16, Kuala Lumpur $14. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bangkok $108, Kuala Lumpur $90. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Bangkok $51, Kuala Lumpur $42. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBangkokKuala Lumpur
Cost
Total monthly cost1,383 USD1,171 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2218✓
Housing700 USD600 USD✓
Utilities107 USD86 USD✓
Food355 USD300 USD✓
Transport46 USD40 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle108 USD90 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD✓5,698 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%✓31.6%
Left over each month5,126 USD✓4,527 USD
Average local net salary800 USD1,000 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD1,300 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety64/10068/100✓
Healthcare74/10076/100✓
Air quality42/10050/100✓
Public transport72/100✓70/100
Walkability66/100✓58/100
English proficiency34/10084/100✓
Nightlife92/100✓72/100
Family friendliness66/10074/100✓
Median broadband230 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature29°C28°C✓
Summer high35°C33°C✓
Winter low21°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1500 mm✓2500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access90 min60 min✓
CurrencyTHBMYR
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Kuala_Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 15% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 212 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BangkokCost of living in Kuala LumpurConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur runs about 15% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 212 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Kuala Lumpur compared with Bangkok?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,510 a month in Bangkok and $5,698 in Kuala Lumpur, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur?

Bangkok scores 64/100 on safety and 74/100 on healthcare; Kuala Lumpur scores 68 and 76. Bangkok averages 29°C against 28°C in Kuala Lumpur.