Skyline of Malacca City
Cost of Living: 40 580,000

Malacca City, Malaysia

Malaysia's historic UNESCO city, a living museum of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial heritage.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 40

Below Average vs Malaysia Avg (100)

Housing Index 28

Affordable

Median Income RM 48,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.8%

Job market health

Malacca City vs Malaysia Average

Cost of Living
Malacca City: 40
Malaysia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Malacca City: 28
Malaysia Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: RM 48,000
  • Unemployment: 2.8%
  • Population: 580,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 91°F
  • Winter Low: 75°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 8a

Housing

  • Median Home: RM320,000
  • 1BR Rent: RM900/mo

Cost of Living

Malacca City's cost of living index is 40 (Malaysia average = 100).

CategoryMalacca CityNational AverageDifference
Overall40100-60.0%
Housing28100-72.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceRM320,000
Median Rent (1BR)RM900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)RM1,125/mo
Price per Sq FtRM213

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

RM
%
$90,000 down
%
%
RM

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Malacca City:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityRM80
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)RM102Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterRM25Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)RM100Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesRM307Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Malacca City scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
40
Rent
RM900
Sunny Days
180
Tax
None
Unemployment
2.8%
Climate
91°F / 75°F
Safety
1.5 homicides/100k
Population
580,000
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Malacca City has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January95°F75°F2.5"
April76°F90°F2.8"
July91°F66°F1.5"
October71°F93°F2.2"
USDA Zone 8a

Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers

Natural Hazards

Malacca City faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Coastal areas with tsunami risk.

Typhoon Moderate Risk

Moderate typhoon risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Monsoon floods in eastern states.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Forest fires.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Semester — Session 1 (Jan-May), Session 2 (Jun-Nov)
Summer Break May to June (2 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (4 weeks)
Spring Break Mid-year break in May/June (2 weeks)

Year-end break is the longest. Breaks for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Malacca City, Malaysia?

The cost of living index in Malacca City is 40, which is Lower the Malaysia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Malacca City?

The median home price in Malacca City is RM320,000. The housing index is 28.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Malacca City is approximately RM900/mo.

Does Malacca City, ML have income tax?

Malacca City is in ML, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Malacca City?

Malacca City enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 91°F, while winter lows can drop to around 75°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.