Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Editor
March 12, 2023
Johor Bahru is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and diverse city to explore. Located in the southernmost part of Malaysia, Johor Bahru is the second largest city in the country and is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant nightlife. With a population of over 1.5 million people, Johor Bahru is a bustling metropolis that offers a wide range of activities and attractions for digital nomads. The city is home to a number of world-class universities, shopping malls, and entertainment venues, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to explore and experience a new culture. Additionally, Johor Bahru is known for its affordable cost of living, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing around $400 USD. With its diverse culture, vibrant nightlife, and affordable cost of living, Johor Bahru is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to explore and experience a new culture.
Living in Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
64%
Quality of life -
22%
Cost of living -
52%
Connectivity -
64%
Weather
50
General
| Currency | MYR |
| Population (in millions) | 1.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Not Ranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Taman Molek, Johor Bahru |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 20 |
| Top selling local beer | Tiger |
| Most popular local dish | Nasi Lemak |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Legoland Malaysia, Danga Bay, Johor Bahru City Square |
| Discount airline | AirAsia |
| Major airline | Malaysia Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Grab |
| Primary train stations | Johor Bahru Sentral, Kempas Baru, Pasir Gudang |
| Primary airports | Senai International Airport, Sultan Ismail International Airport, and Johor Bahru International Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 25000 MYR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Lot S2-02, Level 2, Johor Bahru City Square, 106-108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | G |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Senheng |
| Best internet carrier | Maxis |
| Primary cellular carrier | Maxis |
| Average monthly cost for internet | RM100 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Guardian |
| Best restaurant chain | Nando's |
| The best grocery store | Tesco |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $14,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $25000 |
| Sales tax rate | 6% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 MYR |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Maybank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 999 (general), 994 (police), 991 (ambulance), 993 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 2,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Islam |
Quality of life
64%
-
46%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
58%
Property to income -
54%
Crime -
63%
Healthcare -
64%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | MYR 3,661 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 4.16% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | MYR 763 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | MYR 23,528 |
Cost of living
22%
-
Purchasing Power
66%
-
Rent
7%
-
Food
41%
-
Restaurant
22%
-
Workspace
62%
-
Transport
36%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 1,260.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 840.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 1,740.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 1,300.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | MYR 19.58 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | MYR 7.18 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | MYR 3.06 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | MYR 6.71 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | MYR 57.92 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | MYR 2.61 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | MYR 60.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | MYR 13.64 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 15.82 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | MYR 18.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | MYR 22.47 |
| Apples (1kg) | MYR 13.33 |
| Oranges (1kg) | MYR 12.08 |
| Potato (1kg) | MYR 3.18 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | MYR 5.75 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | MYR 3.50 |
| Tomato (1kg) | MYR 4.32 |
| Banana (1kg) | MYR 5.24 |
| Onion (1kg) | MYR 4.33 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | MYR 35.23 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | MYR 10.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | MYR 95.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | MYR 15.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | MYR 15.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 20.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 3.04 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 1.57 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | MYR 10.78 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | MYR 200.66 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | MYR 0.22 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | MYR 156.40 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | MYR 115.75 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | MYR 19.58 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | MYR 15.50 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | MYR 2.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | MYR 80.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | MYR 2.05 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 135,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 121,951.21 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | MYR 3.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | MYR 2.14 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | MYR 16.50 |