Top 10 Richest Districts in Malaysia by Household Income (2024 Data)
All 165 districts ranked by median household income from DOSM's latest Household Income Survey, computed by us from the raw files. Ulu Langat takes first place, and seven of the top ten sit in the Klang Valley.
This is a Data ranking. The order comes from our own ranking of DOSM's raw district income files on data.gov.my, using the 2024 Household Income Survey, the most recent one published. Figures are survey estimates of household income, not wealth or property values. Nothing here is financial or property advice.
Quick answer
Ulu Langat in Selangor is Malaysia's richest district by household income, with a median gross household income of RM11,404 a month in 2024, according to Malaysia's Top Ten's ranking of all 165 districts in the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Household Income Survey 2024. That is 62.5% above the national median of RM7,017. Sepang is second (RM11,131), followed by Kuala Lumpur (RM10,802), Gombak (RM10,777) and Putrajaya (RM10,769). Johor Bahru (RM8,977) is the richest district outside the Klang Valley.
- Only seven of Malaysia's 165 districts have a median household income above RM10,000 a month, and all seven are in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya.
- Sepang has the highest mean household income in Malaysia (RM15,906) but its median fell 11.7% from RM12,608 in 2022, handing first place to Ulu Langat.
- Barat Daya in Penang grew fastest of the top ten: its median rose 23.1% between 2022 and 2024, to RM8,919.
- The richest district earns 4.5 times the poorest: Pantu in Sarawak has a median of RM2,525.
How this ranking was decided
This is a Data ranking. We downloaded DOSM's raw household income files from data.gov.my on 8 October 2026 and ranked all 165 administrative districts by 2024 median gross monthly household income, the latest survey year available (the next survey covers 2026). Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are single-district federal territories and are ranked as districts. The metric and tie rule (higher mean income) were fixed before ranking. No editorial adjustment of positions.
Full details in How this ranking was produced below.
The ranking at a glance
| # | Name | Median household income (2024) | Best for | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulu Langat | RM11,404 a month | Middle-income families who want Klang Valley salaries with suburban space in Kajang, Bangi or Semenyih. | Highest median household income in Malaysia | Median grew only 1.7% since 2022 |
| 2 | Sepang | RM11,131 a month | Tech and aviation professionals who want to live near Cyberjaya or KLIA. | Highest mean household income in Malaysia, RM15,906 | Median fell 11.7% from 2022, losing first place |
| 3 | Kuala Lumpur | RM10,802 a month | Professionals who want the shortest commute to Malaysia's largest concentration of jobs. | Highest median of any state or federal territory | Relative poverty of 11.8%, above Ulu Langat and Sepang |
| 4 | Gombak | RM10,777 a month | Families who want Kuala Lumpur access with more affordable homes in Selayang or Rawang. | Third-highest mean household income in Malaysia | Absolute poverty of 2.1%, highest of the RM10,000+ group |
| 5 | Putrajaya | RM10,769 a month | Civil servants and families who value a planned, green city close to Cyberjaya. | Very low absolute poverty, 0.2% | Small, government-centred job market |
| 6 | Petaling | RM10,688 a month | Households that want the deepest choice of jobs, schools and malls in one district. | Fastest growth of the RM10,000+ districts, +11.1% | Highest household spending in Malaysia, RM8,210 a month |
| 7 | Kuala Langat | RM10,583 a month | Families looking for newer townships at lower prices than Petaling or Klang. | Most equal incomes in Malaysia (Gini 0.160) | Mean income lowest of the top seven |
| 8 | Johor Bahru | RM8,977 a month | Households with cross-border jobs or businesses linked to Singapore. | Richest district outside the Klang Valley | RM1,606 below the Klang Valley leaders |
| 9 | Barat Daya | RM8,919 a month | Engineers and technicians working in Penang's electronics and semiconductor industry. | Fastest growth in the top ten, +23.1% since 2022 | Income tied closely to the chip industry cycle |
| 10 | Klang | RM8,837 a month | Households working in logistics, trade and manufacturing around Port Klang. | Large, port-based job market | Highest relative poverty in the top ten, 12.0% |
The Klang Valley is in a league of its own
Malaysia's median household earned RM7,017 a month in 2024, up 5.1% a year since 2022 (DOSM). The district table shows how unevenly that money is spread. Only seven of 165 districts clear RM10,000, and every one of them is in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya. The gap to eighth place, Johor Bahru, is RM1,606. At the other end, Pantu in Sarawak has a median of RM2,525, so a typical household in Ulu Langat earns 4.5 times as much. DOSM records income where households live, so a couple working in Kuala Lumpur but living in Kajang counts towards Ulu Langat. That is why the commuter districts around the capital rank so high.
Higher incomes come with higher costs. Petaling households spend an average of RM8,210 a month, the most of any district in Malaysia, and urban households across the country spend 23.5% of their budget on housing and utilities (RinggitPlus). Consumer group FOMCA notes that a middle-income family in the Klang Valley faces more cost pressure than one in a smaller town, so a high median does not always mean more money left over at the end of the month.
Where this fits
Families weighing where to live in Selangor can pair this table with our list of Selangor's longest-running international schools, most of which sit in Petaling and Gombak, and with our ranking of private hospitals by bed capacity. Shoppers can compare the capital's malls in our Kuala Lumpur shopping mall ranking. More rankings are in our Lifestyle hub, and every rule we use is set out in our rankings methodology.
The full ranking
Ulu Langat
Selangor's south-eastern district, covering Kajang, Bangi, Semenyih, Balakong and the Selangor side of Cheras, home to about 1.51 million people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM11,404 a month in 2024, the highest of Malaysia's 165 districts (DOSM via data.gov.my), a figure also cited from DOSM data by The Star. It is also one of the most equal: a Gini coefficient of 0.219 and absolute poverty of 0.1%. Growth has slowed, though, at just 1.7% since 2022, and Ulu Langat leads mainly because Sepang fell back.
Best for
Middle-income families who want Klang Valley salaries with suburban space in Kajang, Bangi or Semenyih.
Advantages
- Highest median household income in Malaysia
Limitations
- Median grew only 1.7% since 2022
- Location:
- Ulu Langat, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM11,404 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM13,822
- Change vs 2022:
- +1.7%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, The Star — DOSM district figures for Selangor and Johor
Sepang
Selangor's southern district, home to Cyberjaya, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Dengkil, with about 347,000 people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM11,131 in 2024, second in Malaysia, and the country's highest mean at RM15,906 (DOSM via data.gov.my). Sepang was number one in 2022 at RM12,608, but its median fell 11.7%, the biggest drop among the top ten. The wide gap between mean and median shows a concentration of very high earners, linked to Cyberjaya's technology and data-centre cluster (MIDA).
Best for
Tech and aviation professionals who want to live near Cyberjaya or KLIA.
Advantages
- Highest mean household income in Malaysia, RM15,906
Limitations
- Median fell 11.7% from 2022, losing first place
- Location:
- Sepang, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM11,131 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM15,906 (highest in Malaysia)
- Change vs 2022:
- -11.7%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, MIDA — Selangor data centre investment
Kuala Lumpur
The national capital, a federal territory of about 2.07 million people that DOSM treats as a single district.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM10,802 in 2024, up 5.6% since 2022, and a mean of RM13,985 (DOSM state file via data.gov.my). DOSM's report text gives RM10,805, the highest median of any state or federal territory (DOSM). Relative poverty is 11.8%, higher than in the Selangor districts above it, showing a wider spread between rich and poor households.
Best for
Professionals who want the shortest commute to Malaysia's largest concentration of jobs.
Advantages
- Highest median of any state or federal territory
Limitations
- Relative poverty of 11.8%, above Ulu Langat and Sepang
- Location:
- Kuala Lumpur (Federal Territory)
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM10,802 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM13,985
- Change vs 2022:
- +5.6%
Sources: DOSM household income by state — data.gov.my, DOSM — Household Income Survey Report 2024
Gombak
Selangor's northern district bordering Kuala Lumpur, covering Selayang, Rawang, Batu Caves and Gombak, with about 980,000 people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM10,777 in 2024, up 5.9% since 2022, and a mean of RM14,168, the third highest in Malaysia (DOSM via data.gov.my). It is only RM25 behind Kuala Lumpur. Absolute poverty is 2.1%, the highest among the seven districts above RM10,000, and households spend an average of RM7,326 a month.
Best for
Families who want Kuala Lumpur access with more affordable homes in Selayang or Rawang.
Advantages
- Third-highest mean household income in Malaysia
Limitations
- Absolute poverty of 2.1%, highest of the RM10,000+ group
- Location:
- Gombak, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM10,777 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM14,168
- Change vs 2022:
- +5.9%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, DOSM poverty by district — data.gov.my
Putrajaya
Malaysia's administrative capital, a federal territory of about 120,000 people, most of them in civil-service households.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM10,769 in 2024, up 7.1% since 2022, and a mean of RM13,846 (DOSM state file via data.gov.my). It is the smallest district in the top ten by population, and absolute poverty is just 0.2% (DOSM). Its income rests on stable public-sector salaries rather than private industry.
Best for
Civil servants and families who value a planned, green city close to Cyberjaya.
Advantages
- Very low absolute poverty, 0.2%
Limitations
- Small, government-centred job market
- Location:
- Putrajaya (Federal Territory)
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM10,769 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM13,846
- Change vs 2022:
- +7.1%
Sources: DOSM household income by state — data.gov.my, DOSM — Household Income Survey Report 2024
Petaling
Malaysia's most populous district, about 2.36 million people, covering Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Puchong and much of Shah Alam.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM10,688 in 2024, up 11.1% since 2022, the fastest growth among the seven RM10,000+ districts, and a mean of RM14,422, second only to Sepang (DOSM via data.gov.my). Petaling also has Malaysia's highest household spending, RM8,210 a month on average, and the highest Gini coefficient (0.387) of the eight ranked districts DOSM reports one for.
Best for
Households that want the deepest choice of jobs, schools and malls in one district.
Advantages
- Fastest growth of the RM10,000+ districts, +11.1%
Limitations
- Highest household spending in Malaysia, RM8,210 a month
- Location:
- Petaling, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM10,688 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM14,422
- Change vs 2022:
- +11.1%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, DOSM income and expenditure by district — data.gov.my
Kuala Langat
Selangor's coastal district south of Klang, covering Banting, Jenjarom, Telok Panglima Garang and Bandar Saujana Putra, with about 326,000 people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM10,583 in 2024, up 4.9% since 2022 (DOSM via data.gov.my). Its mean (RM11,714) is close to its median, and its Gini coefficient of 0.160 is the lowest of all 165 districts, so incomes here are the most evenly spread in Malaysia. Many households commute to jobs in Klang, Shah Alam and Petaling.
Best for
Families looking for newer townships at lower prices than Petaling or Klang.
Advantages
- Most equal incomes in Malaysia (Gini 0.160)
Limitations
- Mean income lowest of the top seven
- Location:
- Kuala Langat, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM10,583 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM11,714
- Gini coefficient:
- 0.160 (lowest in Malaysia)
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, DOSM income and expenditure by district — data.gov.my
Johor Bahru
Johor's capital district, about 1.80 million people, on the causeway to Singapore.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM8,977 in 2024, up 9.1% since 2022 and the highest outside the Klang Valley (DOSM via data.gov.my); The Star reports the same DOSM figure as Johor's highest. Proximity to Singapore, where many residents work, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone agreed in January 2025 (Singapore EDB) support further growth. The gap to seventh place is still RM1,606.
Best for
Households with cross-border jobs or businesses linked to Singapore.
Advantages
- Richest district outside the Klang Valley
Limitations
- RM1,606 below the Klang Valley leaders
- Location:
- Johor Bahru, Johor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM8,977 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM10,975
- Change vs 2022:
- +9.1%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, Singapore EDB — Johor-Singapore SEZ agreement
Barat Daya
Penang Island's south-west district, home to Bayan Lepas, the airport and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, with about 248,000 people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM8,919 in 2024, up 23.1% from RM7,247 in 2022, the fastest growth in the top ten (DOSM via data.gov.my). That jump moved it ahead of George Town's Timur Laut district. It is driven by the semiconductor and electronics plants of the Bayan Lepas zone, the base of Malaysia's chip industry (MIDA). Penang had the fastest state-level income growth in 2024 (DOSM).
Best for
Engineers and technicians working in Penang's electronics and semiconductor industry.
Advantages
- Fastest growth in the top ten, +23.1% since 2022
Limitations
- Income tied closely to the chip industry cycle
- Location:
- Barat Daya, Penang
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM8,919 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM10,231
- Change vs 2022:
- +23.1%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, MIDA — Malaysia's edge in global chips
Klang
Selangor's royal town and port district, home to Port Klang, with about 1.17 million people.
Why it was selected
Median household income of RM8,837 in 2024, up 7.7% since 2022, and a mean of RM10,912 (DOSM via data.gov.my). It edges Ulu Selangor (RM8,485) for the last place in the top ten. Relative poverty is 12.0%, the highest in the top ten.
Best for
Households working in logistics, trade and manufacturing around Port Klang.
Advantages
- Large, port-based job market
Limitations
- Highest relative poverty in the top ten, 12.0%
- Location:
- Klang, Selangor
- Verified:
- 8 Oct 2026
- Median household income (2024):
- RM8,837 a month
- Mean household income:
- RM10,912
- Change vs 2022:
- +7.7%
Sources: DOSM household income by district — data.gov.my, DOSM poverty by district — data.gov.my
Frequently asked questions
What is the richest district in Malaysia?
Ulu Langat in Selangor is the richest district in Malaysia by household income, with a median gross household income of RM11,404 a month in 2024, according to Malaysia's Top Ten's ranking of DOSM's Household Income Survey 2024. It covers Kajang, Bangi, Semenyih and the Selangor side of Cheras. Sepang (RM11,131) and Kuala Lumpur (RM10,802) are second and third.
Which district in Malaysia has the highest average household income?
Sepang has the highest average (mean) household income in Malaysia, at RM15,906 a month in 2024 (DOSM). Its median is lower, at RM11,131, because a group of very high-earning households in Cyberjaya and around KLIA pulls the average up. On the median, which Malaysia's Top Ten uses for its ranking, Sepang is second to Ulu Langat.
What is the median household income in Malaysia in 2024?
Malaysia's median gross household income was RM7,017 a month in 2024, up 5.1% a year from 2022, and the mean was RM9,155, according to DOSM's Household Income Survey 2024. Twenty-two of Malaysia's 165 districts are above the national median. Kuala Lumpur has the highest state-level median at about RM10,800.
Which is the richest district outside the Klang Valley?
Johor Bahru is the richest district outside the Klang Valley, with a 2024 median household income of RM8,977 a month, up 9.1% from 2022 (DOSM). It ranks eighth in Malaysia. Barat Daya in Penang, home to the Bayan Lepas industrial zone, is close behind at RM8,919, and Bintulu (RM8,317) is the richest district in East Malaysia.
What is the poorest district in Malaysia by household income?
Pantu in Sarawak has Malaysia's lowest district median household income, RM2,525 a month in 2024 (DOSM). The bottom five districts are all in Sabah and Sarawak: Pantu, Bukit Mabong, Sebuyau, Pitas and Kota Marudu. The richest district, Ulu Langat, has a median 4.5 times higher, according to Malaysia's Top Ten's ranking.
When will new district household income data be released?
DOSM runs the Household Income Survey every two years. The 2024 results were released on 8 October 2025, so the 2026 survey results are expected in the second half of 2027. Until then, the 2024 figures used in this Malaysia's Top Ten ranking are the latest official district-level income data.
How this ranking was produced
- Question: Which districts in Malaysia have the highest household income?
- Data: DOSM Household Income by Administrative District (dataset
hh_income_district, 2019, 2022 and 2024 surveys), downloaded as a raw CSV from data.gov.my on 8 October 2026. Context columns come from DOSM's district poverty (hh_poverty_district), income and expenditure (hies_district) and population (population_district) files. - Metric: median gross monthly household income in 2024, the latest survey year. The median is used rather than the mean because a small number of very high earners can pull the mean up.
- Coverage: all 165 administrative districts. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are each a single district. DOSM's district file has no 2024 row for these three territories, so their 2024 figures come from DOSM's state file (
hh_income_state); the two files give identical values for them in 2019 and 2022. DOSM's report text gives Kuala Lumpur as RM10,805, RM3 more than the open-data file; it does not change any position. - Tie rule (set before ranking): the higher 2024 mean income ranks first. No tie occurred.
- Change since 2022: 2024 median against the 2022 median for the same district, from the same file.
- Cross-checks: DOSM's Household Income Survey Report 2024 (national and state figures) and DOSM figures quoted by The Star for Ulu Langat and Johor Bahru.
- Full house rules: our rankings methodology.
Notable exclusions
Candidates considered but not ranked, and why:
- Ulu Selangor (RM8,485, 11th) and Kulai (RM8,406, 12th) — Just outside the top ten. Both grew faster than most districts (+10.5% and +12.7% since 2022) but stayed below Klang's RM8,837 in tenth place.
- Bintulu, Sarawak (RM8,317, 13th) — The richest district in East Malaysia, driven by the oil, gas and LNG industry, but its median slipped 2.9% from 2022.
- Kuala Selangor (RM8,046) and Timur Laut, Penang (RM7,745) — Ranked 14th and 15th. Timur Laut, which includes George Town, earns less than neighbouring Barat Daya.
- W.P. Labuan (RM7,383) — Included in the ranking as a single-district federal territory; it ranks 19th.
- Parliamentary and state constituencies — DOSM also publishes income by parliamentary seat and state seat. These are electoral areas, not districts, so they are outside this ranking.
Sources & references
- data.gov.my — Household Income by Administrative District (hh_income_district), DOSM
- Raw file — hh_income_district.csv (downloaded 8 October 2026)
- data.gov.my — Household Income by State (hh_income_state), DOSM
- data.gov.my — Poverty by Administrative District (hh_poverty_district), DOSM
- data.gov.my — Household Income and Expenditure: Administrative Districts (hies_district), DOSM
- data.gov.my — Population Table: Administrative Districts (population_district), DOSM
- DOSM — Household Income Survey Report, Malaysia and States 2024
- DOSM — Household Income 2024 (PDF)
- The Star — Dr Wee: Johor's economic growth is widespread, not just centred in JB (24 June 2026)
- RinggitPlus — DOSM: household income and spending rise in 2024, cost pressures persist
- MIDA — Selangor eyes RM52 billion investment in data centres
- MIDA — Time for Malaysia to keep its edge in global chips
- Singapore EDB — Agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone
Limitations
The 2024 Household Income Survey is the latest available; incomes have moved since then and the 2026 survey will update this ranking. District figures are survey estimates with sampling error, so districts a few ringgit apart (Kuala Lumpur, Gombak and Putrajaya are within RM33 of each other) are effectively level. Gross household income measures money coming in, not wealth, savings or cost of living. Income is counted where households live, not where they work.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 8 Oct 2026 | First published (DOSM Household Income Survey 2024 district data, downloaded 8 October 2026). |
Spotted an error? Request a correction.
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