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Kuala Lumpur vs Bucharest

Kuala Lumpur runs about 14% cheaper than Bucharest for this household, a difference of 163 USD a month.

The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+14%
Bucharest relative to Kuala Lumpur
Rent gap
$0
Bucharest costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Kuala LumpurBucharest
  • Housing
    Housing: Kuala Lumpur $600, Bucharest $600. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Food
    Food: Kuala Lumpur $300, Bucharest $385. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kuala Lumpur $40, Bucharest $45. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kuala Lumpur $86, Bucharest $134. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kuala Lumpur $14, Bucharest $17. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kuala Lumpur $90, Bucharest $99. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Kuala Lumpur $42, Bucharest $54. 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

MetricKuala LumpurBucharest
Cost
Total monthly cost1,171 USD✓1,334 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓21
Housing600 USD600 USD
Utilities86 USD✓134 USD
Food300 USD✓385 USD
Transport40 USD✓45 USD
Healthcare14 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle90 USD✓99 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,698 USD✓4,583 USD
Effective tax + social rate31.6%✓45.0%
Left over each month4,527 USD✓3,249 USD
Average local net salary1,000 USD1,200 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,300 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,400 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety68/10074/100✓
Healthcare76/100✓62/100
Air quality50/100✓46/100
Public transport70/10078/100✓
Walkability58/10072/100✓
English proficiency84/100✓60/100
Nightlife72/10086/100✓
Family friendliness74/100✓70/100
Median broadband180 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C12°C✓
Summer high33°C30°C✓
Winter low23°C✓-4°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,120 h✓
Annual rainfall2500 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min✓None nearby
CurrencyMYRRON
Time zoneAsia/Kuala_LumpurEurope/Bucharest

Kuala Lumpur runs about 14% cheaper than Bucharest for this household, a difference of 163 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Kuala LumpurCost of living in BucharestConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Kuala Lumpur or Bucharest cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur runs about 14% cheaper than Bucharest for this household, a difference of 163 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,698 a month in Kuala Lumpur and $4,583 in Bucharest, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Kuala Lumpur scores 68/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; Bucharest scores 74 and 62. Kuala Lumpur averages 28°C against 12°C in Bucharest.