Is Malaysia actually cheaper than Canada? That’s the question behind a candid, real-life breakdown from Saleh Family, based in Kuala Lumpur. In the video, the family shares how much they pay each month across the costs that matter most to expats: housing, utilities, internet, mobile phones, groceries and restaurant/eating-out, car expenses, and kids’ activities. They also include a moment at the end where one bill is so low they initially thought something must be wrong.
Important note: every family’s expenses are different. The video specifically calls out that this is their lifestyle, not a universal rule. They’re a household of six (three children plus the narrator’s mother) and they live in a gated community with a yard and a driveway. They also homeschool and cook at home frequently. Your costs will likely change depending on how many people are in your home, your housing setup, and how often you use paid services or activities.
1) The family snapshot: why their spending looks the way it does
The Saleh Family approach the comparison with context. In their words, Malaysia has a “huge spectrum”: you can find extremely affordable accommodation and food, while luxury is also clearly visible. They even mention seeing luxury cars shortly after moving, including a Rolls-Royce, which helped them understand that the cost of living isn’t one single story—it varies dramatically by area and lifestyle.
For housing, they give an expat-friendly baseline: housing for Canadian and American expat families they know often lands in the range of RM 6,000 to RM 10,000 monthly, depending on family size and property type (apartments, link houses/townhouses, or bungalows).
2) Monthly phone and internet costs
One of the clearest wins they highlight is mobile data. Their total for cell phones is RM 322 for three unlimited-data plans. They describe it as “unheard of,” noting that in Canadian terms it’s roughly a little over $100 for three lines with unlimited data.
Internet is listed separately at RM 146. They also mention being without internet for three days at one point—one of the reasons unlimited mobile data is important for them day-to-day.
3) Electricity in Kuala Lumpur: cooling drives the bill
Electricity is where costs can feel different from Canada. The family says that in Malaysia, the temperature is consistently hot, so they’re always cooling. Instead of central air conditioning, they explain that many homes use individual room air conditioners, meaning each room has its own unit.
They started with a newer build and describe having 12-year-old air conditioners when they moved in. Over time, their electricity spending improved when they replaced AC units with energy-efficient ones. As they state it, their electricity bill is around RM 1,191 (and they say it’s better than a few months earlier).
They also note their habits: they keep ACs on for much of the time, and for the living room they switch it off before bed, then use a more mixed on/off approach depending on the area.
4) Rent: the range is the headline
Rent is the biggest variable. The family stresses that the monthly cost depends heavily on whether you’re in a gated community, the type of home, and the location (city vs outside the city). Their group of expat friends all report paying between RM 6,000 and RM 10,000 per month.
They also clarify housing terminology: in Malaysia, a bungalow is a detached house, a semi-detached (semid) is a duplex, and a link house is like a townhouse.
5) Getting around: why they delayed buying a car
Transportation costs are a personal choice, and the family explains that they didn’t even buy a car for the first six months. Instead, they relied on Grab—which they describe as equivalent to Uber and “ridiculously affordable”.
They say it becomes harder to justify car ownership once you’ve experienced how easy and cost-effective Grab can be, especially with kids and the convenience of not worrying about parking. That said, they eventually bought a car because of practical needs when travelling with their family.
- Car cost: RM 3,369 per month (they note this is not including insurance)
- Insurance: about RM 5,000 per year (about RM 416 per month)
- Gas: roughly RM 350 to fill up lately, with the price they describe having doubled at one point (from about RM 200 to around RM 400) before settling nearer to RM 350
6) Food and groceries: where Malaysia can really feel cheaper
Perhaps the most emotionally compelling part of the video is how food spending shifts compared with Canada. The family says that, in Malaysia, you can order dinner without it feeling like a “break the bank” expense—something they used to avoid in Canada, where they rarely ate out.
They bundle together their spending on groceries, eating out/restaurants, and everyday household items like paper towel and other basics. Their monthly total is RM 5,285.
They mention that they checked what a Canadian family might spend (they describe it as “roughly the same for a family of four in Canada” for groceries), but they stress they’re calculating as a family of six (plus a cat) and that the inclusion of eating out in their own figure matters.
7) Kids’ activities: spending more because life is more accessible
Extracurriculars are optional—but they’re also one of the ways quality of life can improve. The family lists examples of the types of activities available locally: gymnastics, art class, cooking class, ice skating, and soccer.
They say they’re currently spending around RM 1,000 per month for all three kids. At the time of filming, the children are all doing jiu-jitsu, with the girls able to attend up to seven days a week if they want, and the son attending fewer classes.
They also reflect on how Canada felt different: when they lived in Canada, their kids were in fewer activities, and their family didn’t pay for as many extras (like pools, gyms, and regular restaurants) due to cost pressure.
8) The “shocking” bill—and the reality check on air quality
They encourage viewers to “stay till the end” because one bill shocked them so much they thought it might be an error the first time. The video also includes a candid moment about air quality, describing conditions as very poor—so poor that they compare it to feeling like they’ve been smoking. They explain this is related to smoke from forest fires coming from Indonesia.
Even with cost savings, the video makes clear that relocation isn’t only about money. Environment and day-to-day comfort matter too.
Is Malaysia cheaper than Canada?
Based on the figures shared, the answer is: for this family’s lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur, many everyday costs can be lower than in Canada—especially mobile phone plans, eating out and ordering in, and kids’ activities. Housing, however, depends heavily on location and property type, and utilities can rise with consistent cooling needs.
Before you book: use this as a budgeting template
If you’re considering a move, use the Saleh Family breakdown as a practical framework. Start by mapping your own likely categories: number of adults and children, your housing target (apartment vs bungalow), how often you’ll cool your home, what transport you’ll rely on, and how frequently you’ll eat out or order in.
Want a cost comparison tailored to your family size and lifestyle? Sakina Tours can help you plan next steps—from choosing suitable areas in Kuala Lumpur to estimating day-to-day living costs for how you actually travel and live.
