Skyline of Seremban
Cost of Living: 36 555,000

Seremban, Malaysia

The capital of Negeri Sembilan, a laid-back city known for its Minangkabau architecture, satay, and proximity to Kuala Lumpur.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Seremban is a city in Negeri Sembilan with a population of 555,000. The capital of Negeri Sembilan, a laid-back city known for its Minangkabau architecture, satay, and proximity to Kuala Lumpur. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 36

Below Average vs Malaysia Avg (100)

Housing Index 23

Affordable

Median Income RM 45,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.8%

Job market health

Seremban vs Malaysia Average

Cost of Living
Seremban: 36
Malaysia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Seremban: 23
Malaysia Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: RM 45,000
  • Unemployment: 2.8%
  • Population: 555,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 185/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 74°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: RM250,000
  • 1BR Rent: RM700/mo

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Cost of Living

Seremban's cost of living index is 36 (Malaysia average = 100).

CategorySerembanNational AverageDifference
Overall36100-64.0%
Housing23100-77.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceRM250,000
Median Rent (1BR)RM700/mo
Median Rent (2BR)RM875/mo
Price per Sq FtRM166

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 Seremban:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityRM80
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)RM89Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterRM25Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)RM100Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesRM294Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Seremban scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 36
Rent
— RM700
Sunny Days
— 185
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 2.8%
Climate
— 90°F / 74°F
Safety
— 1.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 555,000
Internet Speed
— 80 Mbps

Climate

Seremban has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January94°F74°F2.5"
April75°F89°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F92°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Seremban 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.

Demographics

The population of Seremban is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Chinese
23.0%
Indian
7.0%
Malay
70.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
30.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Buddhist
19.0%
Christian
9.0%
Hindu
6.0%
Muslim
63.0%
Other
3.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (2020)

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 Seremban, Malaysia?

The cost of living index in Seremban is 36, which is Lower the Malaysia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Seremban?

The median home price in Seremban is RM250,000. The housing index is 23.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Seremban is approximately RM700/mo.

Does Seremban, NS have income tax?

Seremban is in NS, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Seremban?

Seremban enjoys approximately 185 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 74°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.