Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#527
,
Nomad Score:
76%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Affordable compared to Western cities, with reasonable prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
72%
Weight: 80
Varied options from budget to luxury; mid-range apartments are affordable.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local food is cheap and delicious; groceries are affordable with many options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive; ride-hailing apps offer affordable rides.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable, including cinemas, bars, and cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
75%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced, with many modern facilities available.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable with moderate fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
83%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with good reliability.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
87%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces in the city center catering to digital nomads.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
89%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable work environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
86%
Weight: 30
Popular cafes with power outlets and good ambiance for working.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
81%
Weight: 100
Growing community of digital nomads attracted by affordability and amenities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
76%
Weight: 30
Good balance with plenty of leisure activities and reasonable working culture.
🌳 Environmental Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; efforts ongoing to improve green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean but some areas can be less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
79%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, especially in business and tourist areas.
💨 Air Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can spike during haze season but generally acceptable.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
68%
Weight: 25
Good schools and amenities but urban environment may be less ideal.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
84%
Weight: 20
High-quality private healthcare facilities available at affordable prices.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
87%
Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Good access to modern hospitals and clinics with English-speaking staff.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
78%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; occasional heavy rain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
83%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
65%
Weight: 10
Several parks and gardens but limited compared to city size.
❄️ Air Conditioning
90%
Weight: 15
Widespread use of air conditioning in homes, offices, and public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; consistent warm weather.
🔊 Noise Pollution
57%
Weight: 10
City noise can be high in busy areas, especially traffic and nightlife zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich multicultural heritage with diverse festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
79%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and night markets.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
70%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby nature spots, rainforests, and islands within a few hours.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
67%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Malay and other local languages available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
84%
Weight: 10
Wide range of cultural tours, food experiences, and day trips.
🎳 Indoors Fun
75%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and indoor attractions are plentiful.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
92%
Weight: 25
World-renowned street food and diverse culinary options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
73%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
76%
Weight: 15
Good variety of gyms, fitness classes, and sports clubs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
GMT+8 is convenient for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
81%
Weight: 25
Active expat and digital nomad communities with frequent events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
65%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly international remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
70%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces.
🏢 Coworking Quality
85%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good facilities and networking events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
72%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with government support and incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
79%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of e-wallets and mobile payment options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
68%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
87%
Weight: 30
KLIA is a major hub with extensive international and regional flights.
🚇 Public Transit
74%
Weight: 20
Efficient light rail and bus systems cover main areas but limited reach.
🚶 Walkability
63%
Weight: 20
City center walkable but many areas require transport due to heat and layout.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
91%
Weight: 15
Grab and other ride-sharing apps are widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
42%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and hot climate reduce cycling popularity.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
78%
Weight: 15
Good bus and train connections to other Malaysian cities and Singapore.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some availability but less common and limited safety infrastructure.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
88%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well; no major restrictions on usage.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
86%
Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
71%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in malls and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many nationalities; longer stays require extensions.
📊 Tax Friendliness
64%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
59%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions and government oversight on media and speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
70%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
67%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
73%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward with government support for startups.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
32%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa; relies on tourist or business visas.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
79%
Weight: 50
Friendly environment with good amenities but visa limitations.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
76%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and networking events for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
78%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for expats and nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Safe for women travelers with some cultural considerations.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Multicultural society with generally good racial harmony.