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Ghent vs Kuala Lumpur — Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.

Belgium
Cost of Living (US=100)
8
very affordable
Malaysia
Cost of Living (US=100)
37
affordable
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data

Ghent edges out Kuala Lumpur on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 8 vs 36.5 (US=100; very affordable vs affordable). Ghent scores higher on safety (78/100), and Ghent wins on internet at ~160 Mbps. Overall, Kuala Lumpur takes the Nomad Score crown with 75/100 — best for budget nomad and english speakers.

Metric
Ghent
Kuala Lumpur
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$1,000
US$520
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$750
US$340
Cost of Living (US=100)
8
37
Safety Score
78/100
60/100
Internet Speed
160 Mbps
140 Mbps
Nomad Score
74/100
75/100
Healthcare Score
80/100
74/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available

Who is each city for?

Ghent is better for…
Remote workers
See the Belgium country profile
Kuala Lumpur is better for…
Budget nomadEnglish speakersFamilyFoodies
See the Malaysia country profile

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