28/08/2025
📊 Where do Malaysians earn the most? Top 10 Districts by Household Income
Looking at official income data for 2019 vs 2022, we can see some interesting shifts:
🔹 2019 – Who was on top?
- Kuala Lumpur (RM13,257) and Putrajaya (RM12,840) led the list.
- Selangor dominated with 5 districts in the top 10 (Sepang, Petaling, Gombak, Ulu Langat, Klang).
- Johor Bahru and Kulai represented the south, while Timur Laut, Penang was the only northern entry.
🔹 2022 – What changed?
- Sepang (RM13,673) surged ahead to take the No.1 spot, overtaking Kuala Lumpur.
- Selangor grew even stronger with 6 districts in the top 10.
- Bintulu, Sarawak entered the list for the first time — a sign of industrial and O&G growth in East Malaysia.
- Penang (Timur Laut) dropped out, showing slower relative income growth compared to other hotspots.
🔎 Why is this happening?
1️⃣ Selangor’s rapid urbanisation & connectivity: Proximity to KLIA, highways (ELITE, SKVE, MEX), and new developments in Sepang & Gombak made these districts economic magnets.
2️⃣ KL & Putrajaya remain strong, but income growth in surrounding Selangor districts is outpacing the city centre as people move to suburban hubs for bigger homes and better quality of life.
3️⃣ Johor Bahru stays in the list, benefiting from Iskandar growth and its link with Singapore.
4️⃣ Bintulu’s rise reflects strong energy sector activity — LNG and O&G have boosted household incomes significantly.
💡 What it means for property buyers & investors:
Selangor is Malaysia’s powerhouse — higher incomes drive stronger purchasing power, sustaining long-term property demand.
Johor Bahru & Bintulu are growth stories to watch, each backed by unique economic drivers.
Areas with rising income but limited housing supply often see property values appreciate fastest.