City in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital, with about 2.1 million residents in the federal territory. InterNations lists more than 59,000 members in its Kuala Lumpur community, an international school has been open since 1965, and the main airport handled 63.3 million passengers in 2025. [P1] [E1] [Kuala Lumpur S1] [A1]
- Country
- Malaysia
- Region
- Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
- Population
- 2,075,200 in 2025. Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (one administrative district), DOSM estimate dated 1 January 2025, rounded to the nearest hundred; the Census 2020 count for Kuala Lumpur City Hall was 1,982,112. [P1] [P2]
- Settings
- In a city [P1]
- Weather
- Warm all year [W1]
Why it is here
Why Kuala Lumpur is on the list.
A city is listed when there is evidence that people move there. This is the evidence.
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) handled 63.3 million passengers in 2025, of 104.4 million across Malaysia Airports' 39 airports in Malaysia. [A1]
- DOSM's 2025 estimate counts 271,700 non-citizens in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, 13% of its residents. The group includes migrant workers and students as well as professionals and retirees. [P1]
- InterNations shows 59,134 members in its Kuala Lumpur community, with 24 monthly events and a professional networking group of members from 130 nationalities. [E1]
- The International School of Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1965, teaches about 1,700 students from more than 60 nationalities, with IB and AP courses. [Kuala Lumpur S1]
- The Immigration Department's Kuala Lumpur state office is in the Home Affairs Ministry complex on Jalan Sri Hartamas; headquarters is in Putrajaya. [M1]
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 100StrongCountry figure
Price level 0.316 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
0 of 100WeakOwn figure
Subang station, the one used for Kuala Lumpur (west of the centre): no month has an average daily high of 30 °C or less (the coolest, December, is 32.0 °C), so 0 comfortable months.
Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Subang (WMO 48647). Checked 15 October 2026.
Safety
73 of 100StrongCountry figure
Global Peace Index 2026: 12th of 163.
Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026.
Healthcare
67 of 100StrongCountry figure
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
UnknownCountry figure
Our research doesn't cover schools yet.
Community
65 of 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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 100WeakCountry figure
13.55 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
English
88 of 100StrongCountry figure
EF EPI 2025 score 581, 24th.
Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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 100MixedCountry figure
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.
The country
More on Malaysia.
Cities
Other cities in Malaysia.
Questions about Kuala Lumpur.
How much does it cost to live in Kuala Lumpur?
Adverts seen on 10 October 2026 for furnished studios and one-bedroom flats in Brickfields, Bangsar South and Jelatek asked RM 2,200 to RM 2,980 a month; some add 8% SST and a two-month deposit. Prices across Malaysia average about 0.32 of United States prices. Food, transport and bills are unknown.
Where do I deal with immigration in Kuala Lumpur?
The Immigration Department's Kuala Lumpur state office is in the Home Affairs Ministry complex on Jalan Sri Hartamas; headquarters is in Putrajaya. DE Rantau Nomad Pass applications are made online with MDEC. Which route and office apply depends on your passport, so check before booking.
What is the weather like in Kuala Lumpur?
At Subang, west of the centre, every month has an average daily high above 30 °C (32.0 to 33.7 °C) and 145.8 to 355.8 mm of rain (1991–2020 normals). Canada describes haze from roughly June to October and monsoon rains from November to March that can cause flooding.
How do you get around Kuala Lumpur without a car?
An advert near KL Sentral lists LRT, Monorail, ERL, MRT and KTM lines at that hub. The RM 50 My50 30-day pass is for Malaysians; Rapid KL's tourist pass costs RM 25 a day or RM 55 for three days (February 2026 report). A monthly cost for a foreign resident was not found.
Is there an international community and international schooling in Kuala Lumpur?
InterNations lists 59,134 members in its Kuala Lumpur community (counts include people who have left). DOSM counts 271,700 non-citizens in the territory, 13%, including migrant workers and students. The International School of Kuala Lumpur, founded 1965, has about 1,700 students and teaches IB and AP. Fees 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.
- [P1] Population Table: Administrative Districts, Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM). Checked 15 October 2026. OpenDOSM population table for administrative districts (annual estimates, dated 1 January 2025, published in thousands to one decimal), 'both sexes, all ages' rows. W.P. Kuala Lumpur: 2,075.2 thousand residents; 'others (non-citizen)' group 271.7 thousand.
- [E1] Expats in Kuala Lumpur, InterNations (private expat network). Checked 15 October 2026. Community page read 15 October 2026: 59,134 members in Kuala Lumpur, 24 monthly events, 27 interest groups; Professional Networking Group 2,183 members from 130 nationalities. Membership counts are the network's own and include people no longer in the city.
- [Kuala Lumpur S1] International School of Kuala Lumpur, International School of Kuala Lumpur. Checked 15 October 2026. The school's own site: non-profit, founded 1965, 25-acre campus in Ampang Hilir, about 1,700 students, 65+ nationalities in its statistics, IB and AP.
- [A1] Malaysia Airports: strong 2025 passenger growth builds momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (airport operator). Checked 15 October 2026. Dated 19 January 2026: KLIA full-year 2025 total of 63.3 million passengers (up 10.8%); 104.4 million passengers across the 39 airports in Malaysia.
- [P2] 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).
- [W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Subang (WMO 48647), MetMalaysia (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Monthly mean daily highs 32.0 to 33.7 °C; rain 145.8 to 355.8 mm a month. The station is at Subang airport in Selangor, west of the city centre; it is the station used for the country grade.
- [M1] Immigration Department of Malaysia: address and location of state offices, Immigration Department of Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026. Kuala Lumpur (Wilayah Persekutuan) state office: Kompleks Kementerian Dalam Negeri, No 69, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, off Jalan Duta, 50550 Kuala Lumpur. The page has some labelling slips (for example the Kedah block is headed Perlis); the entries used here are the ones for this state.
- [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.
- [Malaysia 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).
- [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.
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 13th of 31 countries.
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 17th 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.
- [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.