Many Malaysians are feeling the pinch of rising prices of items, with some resorting to skipping meals and spending more time at home to get by, as highlighted by recent news articles. The average expenses for a family comprising two adults and children in Kuala Lumpur has increased to RM6,890 a month in 2023 from RM6,810 in 2021. As expenses go up, many may find it more difficult to save for emergencies and retirement.
When planning our finances, it helps to know how much one should spend on daily expenses. The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has an expenditure guide known as ‘Belanjawanku’, which provides the estimated minimum monthly expenses in different households in Malaysia.
Malaysian Households’ Average Monthly Expenses
As each household has different priorities and needs, the average living expenses will vary for different families. EPF’s expenditure guide highlights the monthly expenses of a total of nine types of households including single adults, married couples without children, married couples with children, single parents and senior couples. The guide defines single adults as working adults aged between 18 and 40 and senior adults as those of the ages 60 and above.
According to the expenditure guide, the average monthly expenses of a single adult who used public transport is the lowest at RM1,710. Single adults who used public transport have less commitments than other household categories and don’t have to worry about the financial responsibilities that come with owning a vehicle. The largest portions of their spendings go to food and housing.
On the other hand, married couples with two children had the highest average monthly expenses of RM5,920. They were found to spend significantly more on childcare and food compared to other household categories.
Married couples with no children spent at RM4,030 per month, recording more than twice the expenses incurred by single adults who rely on public transports. The significant discrepancy in expenses was due to married couples having had to spend more on housing and utilities.
| Types of Households | Average Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,710 |
| Single car owner | 2,270 |
| Married without children | 4,030 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,190 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,920 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,060 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,790 |
| Senior single | 2,230 |
| Senior couple | 2,880 |
Source: Expenditure Guide 2022/2023
How Much Does It Cost To Live In Malaysian Cities?
Now, we have a general idea of how much different households in Malaysia spend on average every month. However, with multiple states in the country that have varying economic activities, resources and growth rates, the monthly expenses in some cities would differ significantly from others.
Klang Valley
Monthly household expenses were the highest in Klang Valley, which consists of capital city Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding region. As one of the most developed places in the country, housing expenses in Klang Valley were significantly higher than other cities due to increase in urban migration.
However, transportation expenses were lower in Klang Valley compared to some cities, as Klang Valley has the most extensive public transport network in the country. Meanwhile, in smaller cities where public transportation may be less efficient, people would need to rely on e-hailing to get around.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,930 |
| Single car owner | 2,600 |
| Married without children | 4,630 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,980 |
| Married with 2 children | 6,890 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,740 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 5,650 |
| Senior single | 2,520 |
| Senior couple | 3,210 |
Georgetown
Georgetown in Penang recorded the second highest total monthly expenses. Penang is the fastest-developing state in the country in 2022 with a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 13.1%, according to a news report. The state’s GDP growth is mainly powered by its services and manufacturing sectors. Dubbed the Silicon Valley of Malaysia, Penang has a vibrant semiconductor industry with companies such as Intel, Broadcom and Micron based in the state.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,830 |
| Single car owner | 2,430 |
| Married without children | 4,360 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,640 |
| Married with 2 children | 6,370 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,460 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 5,190 |
| Senior single | 2,450 |
| Senior couple | 3,140 |
Johor Bahru
Households in Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor had one of the highest monthly expenses. Situated strategically near Singapore, Johor Bahru has attracted various investors who are interested in tapping into the vast lands of the state and lower costs.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,760 |
| Single car owner | 2,290 |
| Married without children | 4,110 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,360 |
| Married with 2 children | 6,100 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,200 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,940 |
| Senior single | 2,330 |
| Senior couple | 3,020 |
Malacca City
Malacca City in Malacca is known for its heritage Baba and Nyonya traditions as well as its prime location for trading amid the straits that connect China to India and the East. Economic growth in Malacca is supported by the services and manufacturing sectors.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,730 |
| Single car owner | 2,270 |
| Married without children | 4,010 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,140 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,850 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,020 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,720 |
| Senior single | 2,180 |
| Senior couple | 2,830 |
Seremban
Seremban is a city in the Negeri Sembilan state, which is located adjacent to Kuala Lumpur. It takes only around an hour to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Seremban.
Due to its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur, Seremban has benefitted from major projects like the East Coast Rail Link and High Speed Rail. It is also near tourism destinations such as Port Dickson more than 6 million tourist arrivals in 2019.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,720 |
| Single car owner | 2,300 |
| Married without children | 4,170 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,400 |
| Married with 2 children | 6,130 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,250 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,980 |
| Senior single | 2,250 |
| Senior couple | 2,910 |
Kota Kinabalu
Situated in the east coast, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is the main economic centre of the state with several industrial parks such as the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park and Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park. The Sabah state, which is known for its distinctive tribal traditions, is also focused on developing rural tourism and community-based tourism.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,710 |
| Single car owner | 2,230 |
| Married without children | 4,000 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,130 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,840 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,000 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,710 |
| Senior single | 2,290 |
| Senior couple | 2,930 |
Kuantan
Kuantan is a coastal city located in the state of Pahang, on the east side of the Peninsula Malaysia. Kuantan was proclaimed as a city in 2021 and has a lower population compared to other larger cities. The city is expected to benefit from the East Coast Rail Link project that will connect major port Port Klang in Klang Valley to the Kuantan Port.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,710 |
| Single car owner | 2,230 |
| Married without children | 3,910 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,030 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,740 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 3,900 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,610 |
| Senior single | 2,130 |
| Senior couple | 2,780 |
Ipoh
Ipoh in Perak is a small tourist town popular for its street food and history as a former tin-mining town. Ipoh’s economy is mainly driven by tourism activities, with many cave temples and destinations such as the Concubine Street.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,680 |
| Single car owner | 2,270 |
| Married without children | 3,970 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,140 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,850 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 4,020 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,730 |
| Senior single | 2,190 |
| Senior couple | 2,840 |
Kuching
Kuching is a city in Sarawak, which is rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, timber and agricultures, contributing to its economic growth. Kuching, situated on the island of Borneo, also has tourism destinations such as the Bako National Park and cultural villages.
Notably, Kuching has the lowest transportation costs due to lower parking rates and toll-free highways.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,680 |
| Single car owner | 2,210 |
| Married without children | 3,920 |
| Married with 1 child | 5,020 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,720 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 3,890 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,590 |
| Senior single | 2,160 |
| Senior couple | 2,790 |
Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu is a city on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The state is rich in natural resources specifically oil and gas, making it a prime location for upstream and downstream activities in oil and gas production.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,630 |
| Single car owner | 2,160 |
| Married without children | 3,820 |
| Married with 1 child | 4,920 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,610 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 3,820 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,510 |
| Senior single | 2,090 |
| Senior couple | 2,730 |
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu, Kelantan is located on the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The city is known its sandy beaches and local fares including nasi kerabu and nasi dagang. As a smaller city, households in Kota Bharu recorded some of the lowest monthly expenses.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,540 |
| Single car owner | 2,110 |
| Married without children | 3,750 |
| Married with 1 child | 4,830 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,520 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 3,720 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,400 |
| Senior single | 2,050 |
| Senior couple | 2,690 |
Alor Setar
Alor Setar hails from the northern state of Kedah, which is known for its vast paddy fields and farms. The economy of Kedah is tied to its agriculture activities and manufacturing sectors. Households in Alor Setar had the lowest monthly household expenses. Generally, the cost of foods is lower in smaller cities like Alor Setar compared to larger cities.
| Types of Households | Total Monthly Expenses (RM) |
| Single public transport user | 1,530 |
| Single car owner | 2,060 |
| Married without children | 3,680 |
| Married with 1 child | 4,760 |
| Married with 2 children | 5,430 |
| Single parent with 1 child | 3,660 |
| Single parent with 2 children | 4,340 |
| Senior single | 2,020 |
| Senior couple | 2,630 |
Read Also: What’s The Median Salary In Malaysia (At Every Age, Gender, Race And State)?
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