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London vs Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 71% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 USD a month.

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
The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-71%
Kuala Lumpur relative to London
Rent gap
$2,000
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonKuala Lumpur
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Kuala Lumpur $600. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Kuala Lumpur $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Kuala Lumpur $40. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Kuala Lumpur $86. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Kuala Lumpur $14. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Kuala Lumpur $90. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, 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

MetricLondonKuala Lumpur
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD1,171 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6318✓
Housing2,600 USD600 USD✓
Utilities267 USD86 USD✓
Food617 USD300 USD✓
Transport282 USD40 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓14 USD
Lifestyle169 USD90 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD✓5,698 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.6%✓31.6%
Left over each month1,902 USD4,527 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓1,000 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD1,300 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10068/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓76/100
Air quality60/100✓50/100
Public transport92/100✓70/100
Walkability90/100✓58/100
English proficiency100/100✓84/100
Nightlife94/100✓72/100
Family friendliness72/10074/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓28°C
Summer high23°C✓33°C
Winter low3°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h2,100 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓2500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access90 min60 min✓
CurrencyGBPMYR
Time zoneEurope/LondonAsia/Kuala_Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 71% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 USD a month.

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Cost of living in LondonCost of living in Kuala LumpurConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
London vs DublinLondon vs ZurichLondon vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Kuala Lumpur cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur runs about 71% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,879 USD a month.

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

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

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

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