Country research
Malaysia
Prices overall are about 0.32 of United States prices at market exchange rates, and the Global Peace Index 2026 ranks Malaysia 12th of 163 countries. People living abroad rank it 13th of 31 for ease of settling in, and remote workers can apply for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, which covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan only, not Sabah or Sarawak. [C1] [S1] [Q1] [K1]
The Fernshore Index
How it grades, factor by factor.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
92 of 100Strong
Price level 0.316 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
0 of 100Weak
Kuala Lumpur, the main city (Subang station): 0 comfortable months a year; every month has an average daily high above 30 °C.
Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Subang (WMO 48647). Checked 15 October 2026.
Safety
73 of 100Strong
Global Peace Index 2026: 12th of 163.
Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026.
Healthcare
67 of 100Strong
WHO UHC service coverage index 80 (2023), on the strong anchor.
Source: UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1). Checked 15 October 2026.
Schools
Unknown
Our research doesn't cover schools yet.
Community
65 of 100Mixed
Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 13th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026.
Lifestyle
58 of 100Mixed
Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 17th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026.
Work and career
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: a residence route for remote workers exists (DE Rantau Nomad Pass), but fixed broadband is 13.5 per 100 people (2024), under the 30 line.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Retirement
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: the MM2H Silver pass runs five years and is renewable, but needs a fixed deposit of about US$150,000, over the US$100,000 line; the page names no path to permanent residence. To be safe, have more than US$160,000.
Source: MM2H Silver category. Checked 15 October 2026.
Internet
30 of 100Weak
13.55 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
English
88 of 100Strong
EF EPI 2025 score 581, 24th.
Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. US citizens are not on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose, so a visa with reference may be needed to re-enter for the pass endorsement.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Canada passport
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. Canada is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Australia passport
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. Australia is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, New Zealand passport
50 of 100Mixed
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. New Zealand is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Cities
Cities in Malaysia.
Each city page shows which figures are its own and which are the country's.
Topics
The detail on Malaysia.
Guides
Malaysia, by passport.
Each guide is written for citizens of one country.
For your situation
Malaysia for different circumstances.
Compare
Side by side with another country.
The same measures for both places, with no ranking.
Questions about Malaysia.
How do prices in Malaysia compare with the United States?
Prices overall in Malaysia are about 0.32 of United States prices at market exchange rates (World Bank, 2025). That is an economy-wide average, not a budget. Adverts seen on 10 October 2026 for studios and one-bedroom flats in three Kuala Lumpur areas asked RM 2,200 to RM 2,980 a month; other living costs are unknown.
How long can I stay in Malaysia without a visa?
US and Canadian government advice says up to 90 days for tourism, and Smartraveller says Australians can usually get a 90-day tourist visa on arrival. Malaysia lists New Zealand as exempt but gives no length, and we found none. Everyone completes the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arriving.
What is the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, and what income does it ask for?
It is a Professional Visit Pass for remote employees of companies not registered in Malaysia and for freelancers. To be safe, have an income of more than US$25,000 a year for tech roles or more than US$61,000 for others. It runs 3 to 12 months, renewable once, in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan only.
Do I pay tax in Malaysia if I work remotely from there?
LHDN taxes employment done in Malaysia even when paid from abroad; 60 days or less in a year can be exempt. You are resident at 182 days or more, and residents pay 0% to 30%; non-residents pay a flat 30% on Malaysian income. Your home country has its own rules.
Is there a retirement visa for Malaysia?
The MM2H Silver pass runs five years and is renewable (RM 1,500). It needs a fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank (to be safe, hold more than US$160,000) and the purchase of a home, and it allows no career work. The ministry page names no path to permanent residence.
How safe is Malaysia, and is healthcare good?
The Global Peace Index 2026 ranks Malaysia 12th of 163 countries; that is a national score, not a neighbourhood one. The WHO service coverage index is 80 of 100 (2023). Canada says good care is mainly in major cities, with payment due at the time of service. Private cover prices are unknown.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [C1] Price level index (GDP), Malaysia, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 31.63 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [S1] Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank, Institute for Economics and Peace. Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 12th of 163 countries (score 1.513).
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 13th of 31 countries.
- [K1] DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Checked 15 October 2026. Professional Visit Pass for remote workers and freelancers: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more (24 months at most); income above US$24,000 a year for tech roles and above US$60,000 for other roles; open to all nationalities except Israel; main holder over 18; stay only in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, not Sabah or Sarawak; most banks do not open accounts for pass holders.
- [G1] 15 beaches in Malaysia to be featured in 101 Best Beaches.com Asia, Tourism Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026. Press release naming beaches in Penang, Langkawi, Johor, Terengganu and other states; dated 2014.
- [G2] Mount Kinabalu, Sabah Parks (official). Checked 15 October 2026. Summit Low's Peak, 4,095.2 m, in Sabah.
- [G3] Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Administrative District, Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Checked 15 October 2026. Kuala Lumpur City Hall area, 1,982,112 residents (Census 2020); Malaysia 32.4 million people in 2020.
- [G4] Urbanisation and Urban Growth in Malaysia (Muhamad Fadzil Ismail), Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Checked 15 October 2026. 2010: 228 urban centres, of which 149 have under 50,000 people (59 of 25,000 to 49,999; 90 of 10,000 to 24,999).
- [G5] Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Urban and Rural, Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Checked 15 October 2026. 2020: 75.1% urban, 24.9% rural.
- [W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Subang (WMO 48647), MetMalaysia (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Subang, the station used for Kuala Lumpur, the main city for Malaysia's climate grade. Monthly mean daily highs 32.0 to 33.7 °C; rain 145.8 to 355.8 mm a month, so 0 comfortable months. The station is at Subang airport in Selangor, west of the city centre.
- [W2] Climate normals 1991–2020, Bayan Lepas (WMO 48601, Penang airport), MetMalaysia (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Monthly mean daily highs 31.0 to 32.6 °C; used to show the weather type for Penang.
- [H1] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia: 80 out of 100 (2023), read from the WHO GHO API (UHC_INDEX_REPORTED) on 15 October 2026.
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 17th of 31 countries.
- [K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 13.55 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [R1] MM2H Silver category, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), MM2H portal. Checked 15 October 2026. Page last updated 10/02/2026. Fixed deposit US$150,000 in a Malaysian bank; five-year pass with multiple entry, renewable every five years (renewal fee RM 1,500); no minimum age stated for the main applicant; no mention of permanent residence.
- [F1] EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Malaysia, EF Education First (private test-taker index). Checked 15 October 2026. Score 581, global rank 24; the page does not state the number of countries. The 2026 edition was not yet published on 15 October 2026.
- [V1] Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara), Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia). Checked 15 October 2026. Page shows Australia, Canada and New Zealand among the countries that need no visa for any purpose of entry; the United States is not on that list, so a visa with reference (VDR) may be needed before re-entry for the pass endorsement. Page header dated 15 October 2026.