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Kuala Lumpur vs London

Kuala Lumpur runs about 246% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 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
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+246%
London relative to Kuala Lumpur
Rent gap
$2,000
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Kuala LumpurLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Kuala Lumpur $600, London $2,600. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Food
    Food: Kuala Lumpur $300, London $617. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kuala Lumpur $40, London $282. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kuala Lumpur $86, London $267. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kuala Lumpur $14, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kuala Lumpur $90, London $169. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Kuala Lumpur $42, London $107. 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 LumpurLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost1,171 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓63
Housing600 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities86 USD✓267 USD
Food300 USD✓617 USD
Transport40 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare14 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle90 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,698 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate31.6%28.6%✓
Left over each month4,527 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary1,000 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,300 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓66/100
Healthcare76/10084/100✓
Air quality50/10060/100✓
Public transport70/10092/100✓
Walkability58/10090/100✓
English proficiency84/100100/100✓
Nightlife72/10094/100✓
Family friendliness74/100✓72/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C12°C✓
Summer high33°C23°C✓
Winter low23°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall2500 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access60 min✓90 min
CurrencyMYRGBP
Time zoneAsia/Kuala_LumpurEurope/London

Kuala Lumpur runs about 246% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Kuala Lumpur or London cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur runs about 246% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,698 a month in Kuala Lumpur and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Kuala Lumpur scores 68/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Kuala Lumpur averages 28°C against 12°C in London.