Cities
Nomad city comparison
Istanbul vs Kuala Lumpur
Türkiye · Europe / Asia · budget · Malaysia · Southeast Asia · budget
🏆 Kuala Lumpur wins on price.
Nomad Score comparison
🏆 Kuala Lumpur scores higher
Nomad Score
70/ 100
B
B — Solid
Cost · 30%82.73277777777778
Productivity · 25%73
Sustainability · 20%56
Lifestyle · 15%70
Tax · 10%55
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
76/ 100
A
A — Great
Cost · 30%83.65333333333334
Productivity · 25%74
Sustainability · 20%72
Lifestyle · 15%67
Tax · 10%75
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
| Sub-score | Istanbul | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 82.73277777777778 | 83.65333333333334 | 0.920555555555552 |
| Productivity | 73 | 74 | 1 |
| Sustainability | 56 | 72 | 16 |
| Lifestyle | 70 | 67 | 3 |
| Tax | 55 | 75 | 20 |
| Total | 70 B | 76 A | 6 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Istanbul | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $869 | $840 | ≈ |
| Long-term lease | $572 | $560 | ≈ |
| Food — local | $322 | $249 | 23% |
| Food — Western | $683 | $572 | 16% |
| Coworking (monthly) | $148 | $129 | 13% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $2.37 | $2.77 | 14% |
| Mobile data / SIM (monthly) | $14 | $14 | ≈ |
| Gym — chain (monthly) | $28 | $28 | ≈ |
| Gym — boutique (monthly) | $75 | $75 | ≈ |
| Laundry per load | $1.40 | $1.40 | ≈ |
| Transit pass (monthly) | $39.62 | $29.48 | 26% |
| Tourist visa | — | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | — | $850 | ≈ |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $0.73 | $0.69 | 5% |
Istanbul
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Kuala Lumpur
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