Good salary in Malaysia | FAQ (2024)

What would be considered a good salary in Malaysia?

I am thinking of relocating to KL, and need an idea of what would be considered a good salary to maintain a heathly living standard i.e what salary would comfortably cover all my expenses such as rent, food, social events, clothing etc.

This is a question asked a lot, and it’s complicated because, in my experience, KL is a strange city with regard to cost of living. You can, with equal ease, spend RM1,500 a month here or RM15,000 a month. It’s like there are two separate cost-of-living structures present in KL. If you live fully in the upper tier, RM10,000 will allow you to get by nicely. If you live fully in the lower economic tier, you can do just fine on RM2,000. Your salary needs are determined by how much time you spend in each tier.

I moved here from the US and after living here a few months, have started compiling a spreadsheet of costs of things here relative to income, using US$3,500 a month as a good (but not exceptional) income in the US city and RM5,000 a month here in KL (also good, but it’s not like you’re WEALTHY at that income level). In almost every instance, KL is more expensive relative to income, usually by a vast margin. But paradoxically, you CAN have a pretty comfortable life here for not a lot of money. To do that, though, you have to eschew a lot of foreign comforts. Imports are expensive, whether it’s cheese from Australia (dairy products are 4 times more expensive relative to income than the US) or cars from Japan (up to 5 times more).

In a nutshell, here’s my opinion (and just that — my opinion; other expats’ experiences are doubtlessly very different). You can get by and have a reasonably comfortable life here for RM2,500 a month. You will not live in a fancy place, you certainly won’t be driving an imported car, and you won’t be eating in Western chain restaurants three times a week. But you can live in a decent place with air-conditioning, have satellite TV, eat local foods most of the time, and not have to worry at all about money.

Earning even a little more can make a big difference, though, and if you’re paid in the RM3,500 to 4,000 range, you can enjoy a relatively comfortable lifestyle and not have to worry a lot about your spending at all. Again, you won’t be able to indulge in designer imports and fancy meals every day, but you can easily afford to treat yourself somewhat regularly. RM5,000-6,000 a month will allow you a broad swath of housing options and a comfortable lifestyle. At that income level, you can easily afford a RM2,000-a-month place, which goes a long way in many parts of the city (but not all).

Some people write in, wondering if they’ll possibly be able to make ends meet on their RM12,000-a-month package they’ve been offered. With that salary, you can live very well in KL unless you have a bunch of kids or a designer clothing fetish or something.

There is, frankly, a lot of economic disparity in KL, and it’s reflected in the costs of living. For almost all goods, the range of prices can be extreme. Rents go from RM400 to RM20,000 per month. You can spend RM120 a head for a meal with wine at a nice restaurant, or you can get a meal at a local food stall for RM4. A trip to the local grocery store can cost RM50 or RM300. For my part, life in KL was amusingly cheap only when I converted prices into US dollars, which I stopped doing once my income started being paid in ringgits.

Cars are breathtakingly expensive in Malaysia relative to income, but after the initial acquistion, driving them is fairly cheap (maintenance, road tax, etc.). Another expensive indulgence here is drinking. A bottle of imported vodka is about 3 times more expensive here relative to income than in the US.

So to give you a roundabout answer, if your income is below RM2,500 a month, you’ll have to live pretty frugally (and many people here subsist on considerably less). RM2,500 to RM4,000 will get you further, and anything above RM5,000 will afford you a pretty comfortable life in KL.

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Good salary in Malaysia |  FAQ (2024)

FAQs

How much salary is good enough in Malaysia? ›

The average salary in Malaysia is 79,000 MYR annually (18,877 USD). The annual minimum salary is 19,815 MYR (4,735 USD). The minimum monthly wage is 1200 MYR/Month (287 USD per month).
...
D. Average salary by sector.
IndustryAverage Monthly Salary
Legal7,950 MYR
Health and Medical9,830 MYR
Real Estate7,460 MYR
5 more rows
Feb 10, 2022

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Malaysia? ›

Cost of living in Malaysia in USD
Living expenses in Malaysia (excluding rent)Kuala Lumpur average cost¹Penang average cost²
Single person, per month486.75 USD456.77 USD
Single person, per year5,841 USD5,481.24
Four person family, per month1,735.76 USD1,613.76 USD
Four person family, per year20,829.12 USD19,365.12 USD
Feb 21, 2022

Is 3000 rm a good salary in Malaysia? ›

On average, junior executives can earn a salary range from RM 3,000 to RM 4,500, with the average being RM 3,400 across all industries. Most specialisations in Malaysia's junior executive level list of best-paying jobs are in the technical field.

Is 10000 MYR a good salary in Malaysia? ›

In general 10K RM is quite enough. But if you want to live in high society, if you want expense more, if you need to lead 3 or more family members then its not enough. After all 10K RM salary is pretty good.

Is 4000 rm a good salary in Malaysia? ›

RM2,500 to RM4,000 will get you further, and anything above RM5,000 will afford you a pretty comfortable life in KL. Read all about Living & Working in Malaysia.

What is a good expat salary in Kuala Lumpur? ›

Kuala Lumpur is a good city to work and live peacefully except for the humid climate. In regards to your question, yes 12000 ringgit p.m. is sufficient for a expat couple to work and live comfortably covering all the needs.

How much salary is enough to live in Kuala Lumpur? ›

For more insight on this, read the full guide to apartment hunting in Kuala Lumpur. On average, I would estimate my living expenses including housing, utilities, and transportation for central living are about 3000-3500 MYR ($700-$815 USD) per month.

How much income do I need in Malaysia? ›

What is the Minimum Salary to Pay Income Tax in Malaysia for Individual? Individuals who earn a minimum of RM34,000 (approximately RM2,833 per month or RM3,000 net income after EPF deductions) from all sources of income, including but not limited to salary, must register for a tax file.

What is middle class household income in Malaysia? ›

What is M40 in Malaysia?
Household GroupMedian Income (RM)Income Range (RM)
M15,3364,850 – 5,879
M26,4715,880 – 7,099
M37,8287,110 – 8,699
M49,6958,700 – 10,959
Mar 16, 2023

How rich is the average person in Malaysia? ›

Median wealth of adult population in Malaysia 2014-2019

In 2019, the median wealth per adult in Malaysia was at around 8.9 thousand U.S. dollars. In that year, 53.4 percent of the adult population had wealth valued at under ten thousand U.S. dollars.

Is 5k salary high in Malaysia? ›

It is a very high salary for Malaysia at your age, but the COL here is getting quite high, especially if you want to transport your current lifestyle here.

How much should a 30 year old earn in Malaysia? ›

25-34 years old group average wages were 12% lower than the overall average. Specifically, the average wages (RM1,659) for this age group were 45% smaller than the overall mean (RM3,037).

How much tax do I pay on 100000 in Malaysia? ›

WhatsApp
Chargeable IncomeCalculations (RM)Rate %
70,001 - 100,000Next 30,00021
100,001 - 250,000On the First 100,00024
Next 150,000
250,001 - 400,000On the First 250,00024.5
19 more rows
Apr 3, 2023

Is 5000 rm enough to live in Malaysia? ›

Originally Answered: Is 5,000 Malaysian ringgit a month enough to have a decent life in Kuala Lumpur? More than enough. If your life almost similar during your university year, even better. It the best time to save your money.

Is 8k salary good in Malaysia? ›

From the point of view as Malaysian, RM8,000 is a very good salary. Since your company also provide food, accommodation and transportation, most likely you can save your whole salary into bank, after deduct entertainment fees and other expenses.

What is the highest average salary in Malaysia? ›

Best paying jobs in Malaysia
  1. Head of banking. In Malaysia, a career in banking can be pretty lucrative, with the head of banking executives making around RM252,000 annually. ...
  2. Medical director. ...
  3. C-suite roles. ...
  4. Surgeon. ...
  5. Lawyers. ...
  6. Engineering Director. ...
  7. Procurement Director. ...
  8. Finance Director.
Oct 21, 2022

Is 7k a month good in Malaysia? ›

If you are living modestly, 7000 monthly is a huge sum. You can even save up for your kid's future studies (please do. Tertiary study fees are a killer in Malaysia too).

Is rm6000 salary good in Malaysia? ›

Is 6000 RM a good salary for an expat having 3 years of experience in Malaysia? TL;DR: RM6,000 is not bad. But you can get a much better offer. If that's the max you can get.

Is Malaysia expat friendly? ›

Want to live in Malaysia? A luxury lifestyle and low living costs are the main attractions for expats moving to Malaysia. Other advantages include a highly developed infrastructure and excellent healthcare, along with superb shopping facilities and delicious local cuisine.

Do expats pay tax in Malaysia? ›

An individual, whether tax resident or non-resident in Malaysia, is taxed on any income accruing in or derived from Malaysia.

How much money do you need to retire in Kuala Lumpur? ›

Applicants over 50 years of age require a fixed deposit of about $35,000 USD (150,000 RM) in a local bank or $70,000 USD (300,000 RM) per couple. After two years, 40 percent of this could be withdrawn to buy a house, car, pay for medical expenses or pay for education.

Which city in Malaysia has the highest living cost? ›

Housing Costs in Malaysia

Though Kuala Lumpur is the most expensive city in the country, housing is extremely affordable compared to the U.S. It costs about 74.5% less to rent an apartment in Kuala Lumpur than it does to rent in the United States.

How much is rent in Malaysia? ›

On average, the monthly rent ranges between RM243 to RM4000, depending on the locality.
...
Accommodation & Rent.
Monthly rentAverage rental cost (Ringgit)
Normal furnished home$2,275
Normal furnished studio$1,258
Student accommodation$300 – $600
2 more rows
Oct 19, 2022

How much is rent in Kuala Lumpur? ›

Despite recording the highest median household income in the country, workers in Kuala Lumpur are still struggling with rental affordability.
...
Average housing rental against average income.
Average monthly rental
Kuala Lumpur City CentreRM4,338.97
Petaling JayaRM2,938.75
DamansaraRM1,533.33
Subang JayaRM2,750.00
1 more row
Oct 17, 2017

Is Malaysia a low income country? ›

Is Malaysia a wealthy country? Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy.
...
Malaysia Economy Data.
Currency Name and CodeMalaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Population Below Poverty Line3.6%
Inflation Rate1.7%
Labor Force12,200,000
22 more rows

What salary is upper class in Malaysia? ›

What is B40, M40, and T20?
Income classificationDefinitionDetails
B40Bottom 40%Lower-income group Household income is below RM4,850 per month
M40Middle 40%Middle-income group Household income between RM4,851 per to RM10,960 per month
T20Top 20%Upper class Household income exceeds RM10,960 a month

What is the income gap between rich and poor in Malaysia? ›

The UNHDP Report shows that the richest 10% in Malaysia control 38.4% of the economic income as compared to the poorest 10% who control only 1.7%.

Is Malaysia middle income or high income? ›

The country remains trapped in a middle income economy today, Rafizi said, even as he noted Malaysia's closeness to joining the list of nations with a high per capita income.

Where do the rich live in Malaysia? ›

Surrounded by nature and a breathtaking view to boot, the residents of Taman Duta are privy to plenty of upscale choices – from shopping to healthcare, education, lifestyle, and more. Coupled with easy access to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, this neighbourhood is every millionaire's dream come true.

Does Malaysia have a high standard of living? ›

Malaysia's Global Ranking

Kuala Lumpur ranks well in the most important quality of life factor, having a 57% lower daily cost of living than some US cities such as San Francisco.

Where do the rich people in Malaysia stay? ›

Bukit Tunku is home to Malaysia's elite, with mansions and bungalows costing in the milions of Ringgit dotted around this affluent neighbourhood. The area routinely features in the most expensive property transactions in Malaysia, with average transactions often topping the RM25 million price range.

How much of your salary should you save in Malaysia? ›

Aim to save at least 10% of your income every month before you spend. Raise your savings as and when you receive extra income, e.g. when you receive a bonus. Keep your money in a fixed deposit account. With higher interest compared to a savings account, your savings will grow faster.

Is 25k a good salary in Malaysia? ›

RM25,000 monthly is a good salary in Kuala Lumpur. But then again it depend on your lifestyle. If u have moderate taste in everything then what you get is a luxury. Yes definitely.

How much is a teachers salary in Malaysia? ›

Average RM 2,939 per month.

What is the average salary in Malaysia 2023? ›

In the long-term, the Malaysia Wages is projected to trend around 3670.00 MYR/Month in 2023 and 3920.00 MYR/Month in 2024, according to our econometric models.

How much savings should I have at 40 Malaysia? ›

EPF says you need to save up at least RM240,000 by the time you retire at 55 years old to have enough money for your basic needs, like food and daily expenses.
...
How Much Do I Need for Retirement – And How Do I Save Up For It?
AgeBasic Savings (RM)
40179,000
41196,000
42215,000
43235,000
22 more rows
Jul 30, 2021

What is the gross salary in Malaysia? ›

Gross pay: Gross pay is the income after adding allowances to the basic salary but excluding taxes and other deductions. For example, an employee earning 2,000 MYR (477.73 USD) per month means that their gross pay is 2,000 MYR, including bonuses, holiday pay, overtime, etc.

How does Malaysia income tax work? ›

Taxation rates vary from country to country. Income taxes in Malaysia are “territorial,” which means an individual or entity is taxed only on incomes earned in the country. Personal income taxes are categorised either as progressive or flat, depending on one's type of work and tenure in Malaysia.

How much is income tax on 120000 in Malaysia? ›

If you make RM 120,000 a year living in Malaysia, you will be taxed RM 25,963. That means that your net pay will be RM 94,037 per year, or RM 7,836 per month.

How can I pay less tax in Malaysia? ›

Tips For Income Tax Saving
  1. Claim all possible tax deduction. Tax deductions reduce your taxable income. ...
  2. Submit and pay income tax on time. ...
  3. Follow Income Tax Act. ...
  4. Apply for tax incentive. ...
  5. Seek the advice of tax consultant. ...
  6. Be charitable. ...
  7. Earn Tax-free income. ...
  8. Reduce Your Tax Rate.

Which city is cheapest to live in Malaysia? ›

The cheapest places to live in Malaysia are:
  • Alor Setar, Kedah.
  • Ipoh, Perak.
  • Melaka City, Malacca.
  • Johor Bahru, Johor.
  • George Town, Penang.
  • Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Aug 16, 2022

Is Malaysia or Thailand cheaper? ›

Which country is cheaper? Overall Thailand is a cheaper country than Malaysia for travel. We already mentioned that accommodation for families in Malaysia tends to be a little bit more expensive accommodation in Thailand for families. Overall, Malaysia is a more expensive country than Thailand.

Is RM $1 million enough to retire in Malaysia? ›

With the average life expectancy of a Malaysian at 74 years old, and retirement age at 60 year old, your retirement fund should be able to last at least 14 years. If you spread RM1 million over a 14-year retirement, it only comes up to about RM71,428 a year or RM5,952 a month.

What is the income tax rate for foreigners in Malaysia? ›

Foreigners with a non-resident status are subjected to a flat taxation rate of 28%, this means that the tax percentage will remain the same no matter the amount of income. As a non-resident you're are also not eligible for any tax deductions.

Is 15k a good salary in Malaysia? ›

RM 15,000 per month is more than enough for local Malaysians. Our average income is around RM 4,000 per month I think and for a family of four living in Central Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and other developed cities in Selangor), RM 4,000 might be a little tight.

How much does food cost in Malaysia? ›

Average Daily Costs

While meal prices in Malaysia can vary, the average cost of food in Malaysia is RM87 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Malaysia should cost around RM35 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.

What salary is considered upper class in Malaysia? ›

What is B40, M40, and T20?
Income classificationDefinitionDetails
B40Bottom 40%Lower-income group Household income is below RM4,850 per month
M40Middle 40%Middle-income group Household income between RM4,851 per to RM10,960 per month
T20Top 20%Upper class Household income exceeds RM10,960 a month

What is high net worth income Malaysia? ›

Paragraph 16(d) categorises as a HNWI, an individual whose total net investment portfolio (whether personally, or jointly with his or her spouse), in any capital market products exceeds RM1 million or its equivalent in foreign currencies.

Is Malaysia expensive to live in? ›

Family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,680.2$ (7,492.0RM) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 478.2$ (2,132.4RM) without rent. Cost of living in Malaysia is, on average, 53.1% lower than in United States. Rent in Malaysia is, on average, 78.9% lower than in United States.

What is the household net worth in Malaysia? ›

Malaysia Annual Household Income per Capita reached 5,131.896 USD in Dec 2020, compared with the previous value of 5,761.586 USD in Dec 2019. Malaysia Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2002 to Dec 2020, with an averaged value of 4,426.922 USD.

How much savings should I have at 35 Malaysia? ›

Saving 15% of income per year (including any employer contributions) is an appropriate savings level for many people. Having one to one-and-a-half times your income saved for retirement by age 35 is an attainable target for someone who starts saving at age 25.

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