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Manila vs Kuala Lumpur

Manila and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 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
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-3%
Kuala Lumpur relative to Manila
Rent gap
$100
Kuala Lumpur costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ManilaKuala Lumpur
  • Housing
    Housing: Manila $500, Kuala Lumpur $600. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Food
    Food: Manila $366, Kuala Lumpur $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Manila $48, Kuala Lumpur $40. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Manila $121, Kuala Lumpur $86. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Manila $16, Kuala Lumpur $14. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Manila $104, Kuala Lumpur $90. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Manila $52, 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

MetricManilaKuala Lumpur
Cost
Total monthly cost1,207 USD1,171 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1918✓
Housing500 USD✓600 USD
Utilities121 USD86 USD✓
Food366 USD300 USD✓
Transport48 USD40 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle104 USD90 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,021 USD✓5,698 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.7%✓31.6%
Left over each month4,814 USD✓4,527 USD
Average local net salary450 USD1,000 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre500 USD✓600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,300 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,400 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety46/10068/100✓
Healthcare58/10076/100✓
Air quality34/10050/100✓
Public transport30/10070/100✓
Walkability44/10058/100✓
English proficiency86/100✓84/100
Nightlife78/100✓72/100
Family friendliness60/10074/100✓
Median broadband120 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high33°C33°C
Winter low23°C23°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,100 h
Annual rainfall2000 mm✓2500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access90 min60 min✓
CurrencyPHPMYR
Time zoneAsia/ManilaAsia/Kuala_Lumpur

Manila and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Manila or Kuala Lumpur cheaper?

Manila and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,021 a month in Manila and $5,698 in Kuala Lumpur, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Manila scores 46/100 on safety and 58/100 on healthcare; Kuala Lumpur scores 68 and 76. Manila averages 28°C against 28°C in Kuala Lumpur.