Is Brickfields Expensive?

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

-12% vs Kuala Lumpur avg

Living in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

Brickfields is a relatively affordable area in Kuala Lumpur, with a cost of living index of 28.9 — that is -12% compared to the Kuala Lumpur average. At #12 of 20, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around RM 1,968/month, compared to a range of RM 1,610 in Setapak to RM 2,907 in KLCC.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Brickfields, housing takes up roughly 26% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 20%, while transportation costs around 10%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately RM 78,723 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Brickfields

Salaries in Brickfields reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 28.9:

After tax and deductions of 19.1% in Malaysia, take-home pay for someone earning RM 78,723 would be roughly RM 63,687/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

28.9
COLI Index
0.88x
vs City Avg
RM 1,968
Est. 1BR Rent
#12
of 20 Areas
19.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Brickfields

Estimated annual deductions on a RM 88,136 salary in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur (local employee).

Income Tax
8%
EPF
11.0%
Total Deductions: 19.1%
Est. Take-Home: RM 71,295/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Brickfields would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $21,675
London GBP £18,653
Dubai AED AED 108,457

Other Neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
KLCC 42.6 1.30x +30%
Bukit Bintang 40.0 1.22x +22%
Damansara Heights 39.4 1.20x +20%
Bangsar 38.7 1.18x +18%
Mont Kiara 37.7 1.15x +15%

View all 20 neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Brickfields:

Claremont, Cape Town Bang Na, Bangkok Nansha, Guangzhou Marousi, Athens Prague 3 (Žižkov), Prague El Palo, Málaga

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brickfields expensive in Kuala Lumpur?

Brickfields is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur. It costs about -12% less than the city average, ranking #12 out of 20 neighborhoods.

How does Brickfields compare to the Kuala Lumpur average?

The cost of living in Brickfields is below the Kuala Lumpur average. With a multiplier of 0.88x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -12% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.