Kuala Lumpur vs Portsmouth: cost of living for digital nomads
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Portsmouth, Dominica, 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
- Kuala Lumpur is about 3% cheaper than Portsmouth for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,340).
- Portsmouth scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Kuala Lumpur: 100 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Kuala Lumpur wins 4 of the measured lines; Portsmouth wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Portsmouth?
Kuala Lumpur is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,340/month in Portsmouth, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Kuala Lumpur or Portsmouth?
Portsmouth scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Kuala Lumpur.
Which has faster internet, Kuala Lumpur or Portsmouth?
Kuala Lumpur has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 70 Mbps in Portsmouth.
| Line | Kuala Lumpur | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,340 |
| Rent | $550 | $550 |
| Food | $350 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Coworking | $120 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 70 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 5/10 |
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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Kuala Lumpur November 5, 2026, Portsmouth September 11, 2026.