Living in Kuala Lumpur certainly isn’t cheap, and the latest figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) give us a clearer idea of just how much a household may need every month.
According to DOSM’s latest socioeconomic data, a household consisting of six people or more in Kuala Lumpur requires an average of RM10,562 a month in Basic Expenditure of Decent Living, also known as PAKW.
The figures are based on 2024 data published in the W.P. Kuala Lumpur Socioeconomic Report 2025.
RM2,311 if you live alone
Unsurprisingly, the amount needed increases significantly as the household gets bigger.
According to DOSM, the average monthly PAKW in Kuala Lumpur based on household size is:
- 1 person: RM2,311
- 2 people: RM4,001
- 3 people: RM5,564
- 4 people: RM7,110
- 5 people: RM8,629
- 6 people and above: RM10,562
This means a family of six or more would need over RM2,600 more each month compared to a five person household to maintain the same standard of living.
The figures also show an increase from 2023, when a KL household of six or more was estimated to require RM9,864 per month.
What does ‘decent living’ actually mean?
Before you start wondering whether DOSM is saying everyone in KL needs a five figure salary, PAKW does not represent a recommended salary or poverty threshold.
According to DOSM, PAKW measures the level of expenditure needed for a household to maintain a decent standard of living depending on its location and size, and goes beyond simply having enough money to survive.
The calculation takes into account necessities such as food and housing, but also expenses related to healthcare, education, transportation, recreation and participation in society.
The government’s MyPAKW service similarly describes it as the minimum monthly household expenditure needed for a decent life while considering needs, wants and social participation.
In other words, it attempts to estimate what households need to live reasonably rather than merely cover their absolute bare minimum expenses.
KL households spend an average RM5,639
When households of all sizes are taken into account, Kuala Lumpur recorded an average monthly PAKW of RM5,639 in 2024.
However, Selangor actually recorded the highest statewide average at RM6,010, followed by Kuala Lumpur at RM5,639 and Labuan at RM5,475.
DOSM also found a clear difference between urban and rural households nationwide.
The average monthly PAKW was:
- RM5,169 in urban areas
- RM3,712 in rural areas
For households with six people or more nationwide, the average was RM8,002, rising to RM8,757 for those living in urban areas.
Why does household size matter?
The PAKW calculation takes into account both where someone lives and how many people are in their household.
This means two households earning the same amount could have very different financial circumstances depending on their location and family size.
The government previously illustrated this using a six member family comprising a husband, wife and four schoolgoing children.
A family living in rural Hulu Terengganu could maintain a similar standard of living with significantly less expenditure compared to the same family living in Kuala Lumpur.
The difference was previously estimated at almost RM4,000 a month.
DOSM has also developed the MyPAKW calculator, allowing Malaysians to estimate their own basic expenditure for a decent living based on household composition and location.
So while RM10,562 may sound like a huge amount, the figure is not saying every six member family must earn exactly that amount.
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