Renting guide
How much rent can you afford in KL and Selangor?
How much rent you can afford, plus the bills and cash you need upfront.
In short
- Rent at 25–30% of gross income.
- Add a few hundred ringgit for bills.
- Have 3.5 months' rent ready to move in.
- One area over, your budget goes further.
Start with the 30% rule
A common guide is to keep rent to around 30% of your gross monthly income, and nearer 25% if you want breathing room. If you have a car loan, PTPTN or other commitments, keep rent plus commitments below roughly 40–45% of income.
Work out your own numbers in seconds with the rent affordability calculator.
Monthly costs on top of rent
| Cost | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity (TNB) | RM80 – RM350 | Mostly depends on how much you use aircon |
| Water | RM15 – RM50 | Higher for larger households |
| Internet | RM90 – RM180 | Fibre plans vary by speed |
| Mobile plan | RM30 – RM100 | Per person |
| Transport | RM50 – RM800+ | A public transport pass at the low end, a car loan, petrol, tolls and parking at the high end |
| Condo car park or access cards | RM0 – RM150 | Only for extra bays or cards |
Rough, indicative ranges only. Your own usage and plans will differ.
Condo maintenance fees and quit rent are normally paid by the owner, not the tenant. Check your agreement.
The cash you need upfront
Before you get the keys, you'll typically pay 2 months' security deposit, half a month's utility deposit and 1 month's advance rent. That's about 3.5 months' rent, plus stamp duty and the agreement fee. On a RM2,500 home, that's around RM9,000–RM9,500 in total. Get your exact figure from the move-in cost calculator.
Example budgets
| Gross income | Comfortable (25%) | Typical (30%) | What that often gets you |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM4,000 | RM1,000 | RM1,200 | A room, or a studio or 1-bed in outer Selangor |
| RM6,000 | RM1,500 | RM1,800 | A 1–2 bed condo in PJ, Cheras, Puchong or Cyberjaya |
| RM10,000 | RM2,500 | RM3,000 | A 2–3 bed condo in PJ or Subang, or a 1–2 bed in Bangsar South |
| RM18,000 | RM4,500 | RM5,400 | A 3-bed in Mont Kiara or Bangsar, or a 2-bed near KLCC |
A general guide only. Rents vary a lot by building and condition. See the area guides for indicative ranges.
Ways to get more for your budget
- Look one area over. A similar condo just outside a popular postcode can cost much less.
- Live near the MRT, not in the centre. You can save on rent and on parking.
- Consider partly furnished. It's often cheaper, and you choose your own furniture.
- Offer a longer tenancy. Landlords value stability, and it's a fair basis to negotiate on.
- Share. A 3-bed shared between three is usually cheaper per person than three studios.
General information only, not financial advice.
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