Moving to Malaysia from Brazil
What to Expect
Considering a move from Brazil to Malaysia? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Brazil to Malaysia, you would find that Malaysia is 0.7% more expensive than Brazil overall. A R$379,035 salary in Brazil would need to be roughly MYR368,565 in Malaysia to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Malay. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kuala Lumpur averages 90°F vs 80°F in Brasilia, making it significantly warmer.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Brazil and Malaysia.
What does your salary buy?
R$379,035 → MYR368,565
To maintain the same standard of living in Malaysia
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 38.0% less
Groceries
pay 32.2% more
Transportation
pay 19.5% less
Housing
pay 9.3% more
Childcare
pay 24.2% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 53.9% more
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
Get free moving quotes to Malaysia
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Malaysia compared to Brazil.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
of residents who feel safe walking alone at night
per 100,000 people per year
Malaysia performs significantly better than Brazil across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Malaysia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Brazil leads in health coverage index.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Brazil performs better than Malaysia across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
Brazil generally does better on infrastructure, though Malaysia leads in electricity per capita.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
Malaysia generally does better on employment & economy, though Brazil leads in top income tax rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Malaysia generally does better on family life, though Brazil leads in education spending.
Data: Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Brasilia | Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 80°/63°F (27°/17°C) | 91°/73°F (33°/23°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 78°/59°F (26°/15°C) | 91°/75°F (33°/24°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 80°/58°F (27°/14°C) | 90°/74°F (32°/23°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 80°/64°F (27°/17°C) | 89°/74°F (32°/23°C) |
View all months
| Month | Brasilia | Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.4°C) | 90°/72°F (32.1°/22.5°C) |
| Feb | 80°/63°F (26.7°/17.4°C) | 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.8°C) |
| Mar | 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.5°C) | 92°/74°F (33.2°/23.2°C) |
| Apr | 80°/62°F (26.6°/16.8°C) | 92°/75°F (33.1°/23.7°C) |
| May | 78°/59°F (25.7°/15.0°C) | 91°/75°F (32.9°/23.9°C) |
| Jun | 77°/56°F (25.2°/13.3°C) | 91°/74°F (32.7°/23.6°C) |
| Jul | 77°/55°F (25.1°/12.9°C) | 90°/74°F (32.3°/23.2°C) |
| Aug | 81°/58°F (27.3°/14.6°C) | 90°/74°F (32.3°/23.1°C) |
| Sep | 83°/61°F (28.3°/16.0°C) | 90°/74°F (32.1°/23.2°C) |
| Oct | 82°/63°F (27.5°/17.4°C) | 90°/74°F (32.1°/23.2°C) |
| Nov | 80°/64°F (26.6°/17.5°C) | 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.2°C) |
| Dec | 79°/64°F (26.2°/17.5°C) | 89°/73°F (31.5°/22.9°C) |
Data:
Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia,
Malaysian Meteorological Department
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Brazil and Malaysia. To live, work, or study long-term in Malaysia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Malaysia's immigration authority.
Brazil passport holder visiting Malaysia
Visa Free
Malaysia passport holder visiting Brazil
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Malaysia than Brazil?
On average Malaysia is around 24% pricier than Brazil, with notable variation by city.
How much money do I need to move to Malaysia?
Budget about MYR92,141 for 3 months in Malaysia (based on a R$379,035 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, rental deposit, visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Malaysia?
Connectivity is usually fine (Malaysia: 12.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Malaysia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Malaysia safe for expats?
Malaysia performs significantly better than Brazil across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Malaysia is 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.6 in Brazil. About 90% of people in Malaysia feel safe walking alone at night.
How is healthcare in Malaysia compared to Brazil?
Malaysia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Brazil leads in health coverage index. There are 23.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Malaysia, compared to 21.4 in Brazil. Malaysia scores 76 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Brazil: 80).
What's the weather like in Malaysia compared to Brazil?
The average high temperature in Kuala Lumpur is 90°F, compared to 80°F in Brasilia. Kuala Lumpur receives around 95.6 in of rainfall per year, while Brasilia gets 61.1 in.
What language do they speak in Malaysia?
The official languages in Malaysia are English and Malay. In Brazil, the official language is Portuguese.
