Bengaluru vs Kuala Lumpur: cost of living for digital nomads
Bengaluru, India and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Bengaluru is about 21% cheaper than Kuala Lumpur for a month of nomad living ($1,025 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Bengaluru against $550 in Kuala Lumpur.
- Kuala Lumpur scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Bengaluru: 200 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bengaluru wins 6 of the measured lines; Kuala Lumpur wins 2.
| Line | Bengaluru | Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,025 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $400 | $550 |
| Food | $250 | $350 |
| Transport | $35 | $60 |
| Coworking | $110 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.