What Are the Best Places to Invest in Airbnb in Malaysia?

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI

Updated: 2026-04-08

The short-term rental market in Malaysia spans 100 cities tracked in AirROI's 2026 dataset, ranging from mature urban markets with thousands of active listings to emerging destinations where early operators still have pricing leverage. Supply growth, regulation, and seasonal demand vary significantly across the region — making market selection one of the highest-leverage decisions an Airbnb investor can make.

This page ranks the best Airbnb markets in Malaysia across four dimensions: market depth (active listings), revenue, nightly rate (ADR), and occupancy rate. Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur leads by market size with 15,969 active listings and $562/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 23.3% with $455/month in average revenue and $84/night ADR. 100 of 100 markets carry a low regulation profile — a key consideration for investors evaluating compliance costs and time-to-market.

Rankings based on AirROI's analysis of 20,000,000+ short-term rental listings across revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation. See ranking methodology.

Explore Live Market Data

Top Airbnb Markets in Malaysia by Active Listings

Active listing count is the most direct measure of a market's depth, maturity, and investor confidence. Cities with the most Airbnb listings in Malaysia attract the highest volume of travelers and offer the most reliable benchmarking data for pricing and revenue projections. Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur leads with 15,969 active short-term rental listings and $562/month in average revenue.

#	Market	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur	15,969	$562	$73	33.9%	Low
2	Johor Bahru, Johor	4,446	$582	$83	28.5%	Low
3	George Town, Penang	3,678	$706	$87	33.0%	Low
4	Malacca City, Malacca	2,738	$518	$94	21.7%	Low
5	Petaling Jaya, Selangor	2,037	$338	$51	28.7%	Low
6	Ipoh, Perak	1,951	$409	$77	22.7%	Low
7	Iskandar Puteri, Johor	1,922	$428	$66	26.8%	Low
8	Sepang, Selangor	1,658	$254	$47	24.3%	Low
9	Shah Alam, Selangor	1,560	$281	$52	24.8%	Low
10	Kota Kinabalu, Sabah	1,547	$604	$83	30.8%	Low
11	Kajang Municipal Council, Selangor	1,159	$370	$65	25.3%	Low
12	Kuching, Sarawak	1,141	$370	$54	29.2%	Low
13	Genting Highlands, Pahang	1,096	$438	$124	18.1%	Low
14	Subang Jaya, Selangor	881	$423	$63	31.0%	Low
15	Cameron Highlands, Pahang	672	$502	$80	23.7%	Low
16	Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan	669	$486	$112	17.7%	Low
17	Kuantan, Pahang	607	$372	$80	20.6%	Low
18	Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Gombak	551	$410	$75	29.3%	Low
19	Kota Bharu, Kelantan	439	$231	$55	20.0%	Low
20	Bukit Mertajam, Penang	409	$307	$64	21.3%	Low
21	Malacca, Malacca	375	$565	$98	24.0%	Low
22	Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu	359	$351	$77	20.6%	Low
23	Kuah, Kedah	313	$776	$91	31.9%	Low
24	Nilai, Negeri Sembilan	263	$256	$45	27.3%	Low
25	Bandar Penawar, Johor	251	$524	$126	18.2%	Low
26	Subang Jaya City Council, Selangor	245	$387	$57	30.5%	Low
27	Seremban, Negeri Sembilan	235	$362	$98	18.0%	Low
28	Taiping, Perak	234	$403	$80	20.0%	Low
29	Kampung Sungai Karang Darat, Pahang	217	$341	$78	18.3%	Low
30	Selayang Municipal Council, Selangor	217	$480	$107	19.6%	Low
31	Semporna, Sabah	215	$449	$80	24.0%	Low
32	Langkawi, Kedah	203	$1,077	$130	32.4%	Low
33	Tebrau, Johor	198	$435	$65	26.2%	Low
34	Tanjung Aru, Sabah	179	$570	$63	31.8%	Low
35	Ayer Keroh, Malacca	172	$428	$96	18.0%	Low
36	Donggongon, Sabah	166	$205	$57	19.5%	Low
37	Klang City, Klang	158	$486	$89	25.1%	Low
38	Putrajaya, Putrajaya	155	$551	$85	27.5%	Low
39	Pasir Gudang, Johor	153	$357	$71	24.8%	Low
40	Kluang, Johor	152	$360	$89	20.5%	Low
41	Sandakan, Sabah	152	$311	$58	24.2%	Low
42	Cenang Beach, Kedah	150	$380	$87	25.9%	Low
43	Sitiawan, Perak	148	$214	$74	16.8%	Low
44	Kampung Sembulan Lama, Sabah	147	$426	$93	25.6%	Low
45	Sibu, Sarawak	139	$349	$62	23.2%	Low
46	Brinchang, Pahang	135	$539	$70	29.9%	Low
47	Cheras, Selangor	135	$349	$47	34.3%	Low
48	Batu Pahat, Johor	127	$382	$97	17.5%	Low
49	Kulai, Johor	120	$509	$100	25.5%	Low
50	Muar, Johor	117	$388	$94	16.5%	Low
51	Kampar, Perak	105	$154	$45	15.8%	Low
52	Butterworth, Penang	101	$423	$63	29.7%	Low
53	Miri, Sarawak	98	$312	$62	21.7%	Low
54	Bentong, Pahang	97	$841	$178	18.1%	Low
55	Sungai Petani, Kedah	96	$338	$75	21.7%	Low
56	Alor Gajah, Malacca	95	$703	$153	18.4%	Low
57	Alor Setar, Kedah	93	$374	$76	21.9%	Low
58	Banting, Selangor	90	$186	$77	14.5%	Low
59	Pulau Sebang, Malacca	89	$914	$208	18.7%	Low
60	Pangkor Island, Perak	89	$462	$108	17.4%	Low
61	Dungun, Terengganu	87	$259	$62	18.6%	Low
62	Bukit Tinggi, Pahang	86	$1,272	$174	21.7%	Low
63	Teluk Intan, Perak	81	$284	$77	17.0%	Low
64	Tengah Island, Kedah	79	$1,721	$186	32.0%	Low
65	Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam	79	$491	$128	16.7%	Low
66	Tawau, Sabah	77	$296	$62	22.6%	Low
67	Mersing, Johor	72	$363	$76	24.3%	Low
68	Batu Caves, Selangor	72	$274	$45	28.1%	Low
69	Dengkil, Selangor	70	$184	$51	15.9%	Low
70	Lumut, Perak	68	$140	$71	15.6%	Low
71	Kangar, Perlis	68	$260	$56	21.4%	Low
72	Masai, Johor	67	$348	$65	24.8%	Low
73	Paya Mempelam Village, Kedah	64	$660	$83	29.5%	Low
74	Fraser's Hill, Pahang	64	$436	$109	17.1%	Low
75	Cyberjaya, Selangor	63	$162	$30	26.7%	Low
76	Kuala Selangor, Selangor	61	$358	$103	14.9%	Low
77	Tioman, Pahang	59	$314	$68	25.2%	Low
78	Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malacca	58	$542	$127	17.6%	Low
79	Seri Iskandar, Perak	56	$243	$91	19.9%	Low
80	Seri Kembangan, Selangor	56	$289	$43	31.9%	Low
81	Chukai, Terengganu	54	$266	$59	21.9%	Low
82	Kuala Muda Village, Kedah	52	$664	$103	29.3%	Low
83	Tanah Rata, Pahang	50	$460	$91	25.0%	Low
84	Plentong, Johor	46	$452	$84	22.3%	Low
85	Kampung Padang Gaong, Kedah	46	$931	$89	39.4%	Low
86	Tanjung Kling, Malacca	46	$253	$82	14.0%	Low
87	Puchong, Selangor	44	$364	$99	23.3%	Low
88	Api-Api Center, Sabah	42	$509	$71	27.9%	Low
89	Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor	42	$858	$129	20.9%	Low
90	Balok, Pahang	41	$530	$85	21.4%	Low
91	Bayan Lepas, Penang	41	$469	$56	35.4%	Low
92	Seri Manjung, Perak	41	$260	$71	18.1%	Low
93	Jasin, Malacca	40	$624	$127	17.7%	Low
94	Kampung Masjid Lama, Kedah	39	$301	$63	20.8%	Low
95	Kampung Mesilau, Sabah	39	$1,306	$132	29.8%	Low
96	Kuala Kangsar, Perak	33	$229	$59	19.4%	Low
97	Kampung Siru Melayu, Sarawak	33	$698	$106	22.6%	Low
98	Masjid Tanah, Malacca	32	$426	$106	16.8%	Low
99	Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang	32	$304	$69	18.1%	Low
100	Jitra, Kedah	31	$191	$50	17.9%	Low

Most Profitable Airbnb Markets in Malaysia by Revenue

The most profitable Airbnb cities in Malaysia are those where hosts earn the highest average monthly revenue per listing — the single most telling indicator of a market's income potential. Tengah Island, Kedah leads with $1,721/month at $186 ADR and 32.0% occupancy. Whether you are evaluating your first STR investment or benchmarking an existing property, these top-earning Airbnb markets show where vacation rentals generate the greatest short-term rental income.

#	Market	Revenue/mo	Active Listings (TTM)	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Tengah Island, Kedah	$1,721	79	$186	32.0%	Low
2	Kampung Mesilau, Sabah	$1,306	39	$132	29.8%	Low
3	Bukit Tinggi, Pahang	$1,272	86	$174	21.7%	Low
4	Langkawi, Kedah	$1,077	203	$130	32.4%	Low
5	Kampung Padang Gaong, Kedah	$931	46	$89	39.4%	Low
6	Pulau Sebang, Malacca	$914	89	$208	18.7%	Low
7	Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor	$858	42	$129	20.9%	Low
8	Bentong, Pahang	$841	97	$178	18.1%	Low
9	Kuah, Kedah	$776	313	$91	31.9%	Low
10	George Town, Penang	$706	3,678	$87	33.0%	Low
11	Alor Gajah, Malacca	$703	95	$153	18.4%	Low
12	Kampung Siru Melayu, Sarawak	$698	33	$106	22.6%	Low
13	Kuala Muda Village, Kedah	$664	52	$103	29.3%	Low
14	Paya Mempelam Village, Kedah	$660	64	$83	29.5%	Low
15	Jasin, Malacca	$624	40	$127	17.7%	Low
16	Kota Kinabalu, Sabah	$604	1,547	$83	30.8%	Low
17	Johor Bahru, Johor	$582	4,446	$83	28.5%	Low
18	Tanjung Aru, Sabah	$570	179	$63	31.8%	Low
19	Malacca, Malacca	$565	375	$98	24.0%	Low
20	Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur	$562	15,969	$73	33.9%	Low
21	Putrajaya, Putrajaya	$551	155	$85	27.5%	Low
22	Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malacca	$542	58	$127	17.6%	Low
23	Brinchang, Pahang	$539	135	$70	29.9%	Low
24	Balok, Pahang	$530	41	$85	21.4%	Low
25	Bandar Penawar, Johor	$524	251	$126	18.2%	Low
26	Malacca City, Malacca	$518	2,738	$94	21.7%	Low
27	Kulai, Johor	$509	120	$100	25.5%	Low
28	Api-Api Center, Sabah	$509	42	$71	27.9%	Low
29	Cameron Highlands, Pahang	$502	672	$80	23.7%	Low
30	Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam	$491	79	$128	16.7%	Low
31	Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan	$486	669	$112	17.7%	Low
32	Klang City, Klang	$486	158	$89	25.1%	Low
33	Selayang Municipal Council, Selangor	$480	217	$107	19.6%	Low
34	Bayan Lepas, Penang	$469	41	$56	35.4%	Low
35	Pangkor Island, Perak	$462	89	$108	17.4%	Low
36	Tanah Rata, Pahang	$460	50	$91	25.0%	Low
37	Plentong, Johor	$452	46	$84	22.3%	Low
38	Semporna, Sabah	$449	215	$80	24.0%	Low
39	Genting Highlands, Pahang	$438	1,096	$124	18.1%	Low
40	Fraser's Hill, Pahang	$436	64	$109	17.1%	Low
41	Tebrau, Johor	$435	198	$65	26.2%	Low
42	Iskandar Puteri, Johor	$428	1,922	$66	26.8%	Low
43	Ayer Keroh, Malacca	$428	172	$96	18.0%	Low
44	Kampung Sembulan Lama, Sabah	$426	147	$93	25.6%	Low
45	Masjid Tanah, Malacca	$426	32	$106	16.8%	Low
46	Butterworth, Penang	$423	101	$63	29.7%	Low
47	Subang Jaya, Selangor	$423	881	$63	31.0%	Low
48	Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Gombak	$410	551	$75	29.3%	Low
49	Ipoh, Perak	$409	1,951	$77	22.7%	Low
50	Taiping, Perak	$403	234	$80	20.0%	Low
51	Muar, Johor	$388	117	$94	16.5%	Low
52	Subang Jaya City Council, Selangor	$387	245	$57	30.5%	Low
53	Batu Pahat, Johor	$382	127	$97	17.5%	Low
54	Cenang Beach, Kedah	$380	150	$87	25.9%	Low
55	Alor Setar, Kedah	$374	93	$76	21.9%	Low
56	Kuantan, Pahang	$372	607	$80	20.6%	Low
57	Kajang Municipal Council, Selangor	$370	1,159	$65	25.3%	Low
58	Kuching, Sarawak	$370	1,141	$54	29.2%	Low
59	Puchong, Selangor	$364	44	$99	23.3%	Low
60	Mersing, Johor	$363	72	$76	24.3%	Low
61	Seremban, Negeri Sembilan	$362	235	$98	18.0%	Low
62	Kluang, Johor	$360	152	$89	20.5%	Low
63	Kuala Selangor, Selangor	$358	61	$103	14.9%	Low
64	Pasir Gudang, Johor	$357	153	$71	24.8%	Low
65	Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu	$351	359	$77	20.6%	Low
66	Cheras, Selangor	$349	135	$47	34.3%	Low
67	Sibu, Sarawak	$349	139	$62	23.2%	Low
68	Masai, Johor	$348	67	$65	24.8%	Low
69	Kampung Sungai Karang Darat, Pahang	$341	217	$78	18.3%	Low
70	Sungai Petani, Kedah	$338	96	$75	21.7%	Low
71	Petaling Jaya, Selangor	$338	2,037	$51	28.7%	Low
72	Tioman, Pahang	$314	59	$68	25.2%	Low
73	Miri, Sarawak	$312	98	$62	21.7%	Low
74	Sandakan, Sabah	$311	152	$58	24.2%	Low
75	Bukit Mertajam, Penang	$307	409	$64	21.3%	Low
76	Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang	$304	32	$69	18.1%	Low
77	Kampung Masjid Lama, Kedah	$301	39	$63	20.8%	Low
78	Tawau, Sabah	$296	77	$62	22.6%	Low
79	Seri Kembangan, Selangor	$289	56	$43	31.9%	Low
80	Teluk Intan, Perak	$284	81	$77	17.0%	Low
81	Shah Alam, Selangor	$281	1,560	$52	24.8%	Low
82	Batu Caves, Selangor	$274	72	$45	28.1%	Low
83	Chukai, Terengganu	$266	54	$59	21.9%	Low
84	Seri Manjung, Perak	$260	41	$71	18.1%	Low
85	Kangar, Perlis	$260	68	$56	21.4%	Low
86	Dungun, Terengganu	$259	87	$62	18.6%	Low
87	Nilai, Negeri Sembilan	$256	263	$45	27.3%	Low
88	Sepang, Selangor	$254	1,658	$47	24.3%	Low
89	Tanjung Kling, Malacca	$253	46	$82	14.0%	Low
90	Seri Iskandar, Perak	$243	56	$91	19.9%	Low
91	Kota Bharu, Kelantan	$231	439	$55	20.0%	Low
92	Kuala Kangsar, Perak	$229	33	$59	19.4%	Low
93	Sitiawan, Perak	$214	148	$74	16.8%	Low
94	Donggongon, Sabah	$205	166	$57	19.5%	Low
95	Jitra, Kedah	$191	31	$50	17.9%	Low
96	Banting, Selangor	$186	90	$77	14.5%	Low
97	Dengkil, Selangor	$184	70	$51	15.9%	Low
98	Cyberjaya, Selangor	$162	63	$30	26.7%	Low
99	Kampar, Perak	$154	105	$45	15.8%	Low
100	Lumut, Perak	$140	68	$71	15.6%	Low

Most Expensive Airbnb Markets in Malaysia by Nightly Rate

The average daily rate (ADR) measures how much guests pay per night in each market, making it the clearest indicator of a city's short-term rental pricing power. Pulau Sebang, Malacca commands the highest Airbnb nightly rate in Malaysia at $208/night, generating $914/month at 18.7% occupancy. Markets with premium nightly pricing typically feature high-demand destinations where travelers pay a significant premium over hotel alternatives.

#	Market	ADR	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Pulau Sebang, Malacca	$208	89	$914	18.7%	Low
2	Tengah Island, Kedah	$186	79	$1,721	32.0%	Low
3	Bentong, Pahang	$178	97	$841	18.1%	Low
4	Bukit Tinggi, Pahang	$174	86	$1,272	21.7%	Low
5	Alor Gajah, Malacca	$153	95	$703	18.4%	Low
6	Kampung Mesilau, Sabah	$132	39	$1,306	29.8%	Low
7	Langkawi, Kedah	$130	203	$1,077	32.4%	Low
8	Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor	$129	42	$858	20.9%	Low
9	Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam	$128	79	$491	16.7%	Low
10	Jasin, Malacca	$127	40	$624	17.7%	Low
11	Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malacca	$127	58	$542	17.6%	Low
12	Bandar Penawar, Johor	$126	251	$524	18.2%	Low
13	Genting Highlands, Pahang	$124	1,096	$438	18.1%	Low
14	Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan	$112	669	$486	17.7%	Low
15	Fraser's Hill, Pahang	$109	64	$436	17.1%	Low
16	Pangkor Island, Perak	$108	89	$462	17.4%	Low
17	Selayang Municipal Council, Selangor	$107	217	$480	19.6%	Low
18	Masjid Tanah, Malacca	$106	32	$426	16.8%	Low
19	Kampung Siru Melayu, Sarawak	$106	33	$698	22.6%	Low
20	Kuala Selangor, Selangor	$103	61	$358	14.9%	Low
21	Kuala Muda Village, Kedah	$103	52	$664	29.3%	Low
22	Kulai, Johor	$100	120	$509	25.5%	Low
23	Puchong, Selangor	$99	44	$364	23.3%	Low
24	Seremban, Negeri Sembilan	$98	235	$362	18.0%	Low
25	Malacca, Malacca	$98	375	$565	24.0%	Low
26	Batu Pahat, Johor	$97	127	$382	17.5%	Low
27	Ayer Keroh, Malacca	$96	172	$428	18.0%	Low
28	Malacca City, Malacca	$94	2,738	$518	21.7%	Low
29	Muar, Johor	$94	117	$388	16.5%	Low
30	Kampung Sembulan Lama, Sabah	$93	147	$426	25.6%	Low
31	Kuah, Kedah	$91	313	$776	31.9%	Low
32	Tanah Rata, Pahang	$91	50	$460	25.0%	Low
33	Seri Iskandar, Perak	$91	56	$243	19.9%	Low
34	Kampung Padang Gaong, Kedah	$89	46	$931	39.4%	Low
35	Klang City, Klang	$89	158	$486	25.1%	Low
36	Kluang, Johor	$89	152	$360	20.5%	Low
37	Cenang Beach, Kedah	$87	150	$380	25.9%	Low
38	George Town, Penang	$87	3,678	$706	33.0%	Low
39	Putrajaya, Putrajaya	$85	155	$551	27.5%	Low
40	Balok, Pahang	$85	41	$530	21.4%	Low
41	Plentong, Johor	$84	46	$452	22.3%	Low
42	Johor Bahru, Johor	$83	4,446	$582	28.5%	Low
43	Kota Kinabalu, Sabah	$83	1,547	$604	30.8%	Low
44	Paya Mempelam Village, Kedah	$83	64	$660	29.5%	Low
45	Tanjung Kling, Malacca	$82	46	$253	14.0%	Low
46	Cameron Highlands, Pahang	$80	672	$502	23.7%	Low
47	Kuantan, Pahang	$80	607	$372	20.6%	Low
48	Taiping, Perak	$80	234	$403	20.0%	Low
49	Semporna, Sabah	$80	215	$449	24.0%	Low
50	Kampung Sungai Karang Darat, Pahang	$78	217	$341	18.3%	Low
51	Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu	$77	359	$351	20.6%	Low
52	Ipoh, Perak	$77	1,951	$409	22.7%	Low
53	Banting, Selangor	$77	90	$186	14.5%	Low
54	Teluk Intan, Perak	$77	81	$284	17.0%	Low
55	Alor Setar, Kedah	$76	93	$374	21.9%	Low
56	Mersing, Johor	$76	72	$363	24.3%	Low
57	Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Gombak	$75	551	$410	29.3%	Low
58	Sungai Petani, Kedah	$75	96	$338	21.7%	Low
59	Sitiawan, Perak	$74	148	$214	16.8%	Low
60	Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur	$73	15,969	$562	33.9%	Low
61	Lumut, Perak	$71	68	$140	15.6%	Low
62	Pasir Gudang, Johor	$71	153	$357	24.8%	Low
63	Api-Api Center, Sabah	$71	42	$509	27.9%	Low
64	Seri Manjung, Perak	$71	41	$260	18.1%	Low
65	Brinchang, Pahang	$70	135	$539	29.9%	Low
66	Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang	$69	32	$304	18.1%	Low
67	Tioman, Pahang	$68	59	$314	25.2%	Low
68	Iskandar Puteri, Johor	$66	1,922	$428	26.8%	Low
69	Masai, Johor	$65	67	$348	24.8%	Low
70	Tebrau, Johor	$65	198	$435	26.2%	Low
71	Kajang Municipal Council, Selangor	$65	1,159	$370	25.3%	Low
72	Bukit Mertajam, Penang	$64	409	$307	21.3%	Low
73	Kampung Masjid Lama, Kedah	$63	39	$301	20.8%	Low
74	Tanjung Aru, Sabah	$63	179	$570	31.8%	Low
75	Butterworth, Penang	$63	101	$423	29.7%	Low
76	Subang Jaya, Selangor	$63	881	$423	31.0%	Low
77	Dungun, Terengganu	$62	87	$259	18.6%	Low
78	Sibu, Sarawak	$62	139	$349	23.2%	Low
79	Tawau, Sabah	$62	77	$296	22.6%	Low
80	Miri, Sarawak	$62	98	$312	21.7%	Low
81	Kuala Kangsar, Perak	$59	33	$229	19.4%	Low
82	Chukai, Terengganu	$59	54	$266	21.9%	Low
83	Sandakan, Sabah	$58	152	$311	24.2%	Low
84	Donggongon, Sabah	$57	166	$205	19.5%	Low
85	Subang Jaya City Council, Selangor	$57	245	$387	30.5%	Low
86	Bayan Lepas, Penang	$56	41	$469	35.4%	Low
87	Kangar, Perlis	$56	68	$260	21.4%	Low
88	Kota Bharu, Kelantan	$55	439	$231	20.0%	Low
89	Kuching, Sarawak	$54	1,141	$370	29.2%	Low
90	Shah Alam, Selangor	$52	1,560	$281	24.8%	Low
91	Petaling Jaya, Selangor	$51	2,037	$338	28.7%	Low
92	Dengkil, Selangor	$51	70	$184	15.9%	Low
93	Jitra, Kedah	$50	31	$191	17.9%	Low
94	Sepang, Selangor	$47	1,658	$254	24.3%	Low
95	Cheras, Selangor	$47	135	$349	34.3%	Low
96	Batu Caves, Selangor	$45	72	$274	28.1%	Low
97	Nilai, Negeri Sembilan	$45	263	$256	27.3%	Low
98	Kampar, Perak	$45	105	$154	15.8%	Low
99	Seri Kembangan, Selangor	$43	56	$289	31.9%	Low
100	Cyberjaya, Selangor	$30	63	$162	26.7%	Low

Highest Occupancy Airbnb Markets in Malaysia

Airbnb occupancy rate measures the percentage of available nights actually booked — the most telling indicator of short-term rental demand in a market. Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur leads Malaysia with 33.9% occupancy, $562/month revenue, and 15,969 active listings. Markets with the highest STR occupancy rates reflect strong, sustained guest demand — a critical signal for investors evaluating where properties will stay consistently booked year-round. This ranking is filtered to markets with 300+ listings to ensure statistical reliability.

#	Market	Occupancy	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Regulation
1	Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur	33.9%	15,969	$562	$73	Low
2	George Town, Penang	33.0%	3,678	$706	$87	Low
3	Kuah, Kedah	31.9%	313	$776	$91	Low
4	Subang Jaya, Selangor	31.0%	881	$423	$63	Low
5	Kota Kinabalu, Sabah	30.8%	1,547	$604	$83	Low
6	Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Gombak	29.3%	551	$410	$75	Low
7	Kuching, Sarawak	29.2%	1,141	$370	$54	Low
8	Petaling Jaya, Selangor	28.7%	2,037	$338	$51	Low
9	Johor Bahru, Johor	28.5%	4,446	$582	$83	Low
10	Iskandar Puteri, Johor	26.8%	1,922	$428	$66	Low
11	Kajang Municipal Council, Selangor	25.3%	1,159	$370	$65	Low
12	Shah Alam, Selangor	24.8%	1,560	$281	$52	Low
13	Sepang, Selangor	24.3%	1,658	$254	$47	Low
14	Malacca, Malacca	24.0%	375	$565	$98	Low
15	Cameron Highlands, Pahang	23.7%	672	$502	$80	Low
16	Ipoh, Perak	22.7%	1,951	$409	$77	Low
17	Malacca City, Malacca	21.7%	2,738	$518	$94	Low
18	Bukit Mertajam, Penang	21.3%	409	$307	$64	Low
19	Kuantan, Pahang	20.6%	607	$372	$80	Low
20	Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu	20.6%	359	$351	$77	Low
21	Kota Bharu, Kelantan	20.0%	439	$231	$55	Low
22	Genting Highlands, Pahang	18.1%	1,096	$438	$124	Low
23	Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan	17.7%	669	$486	$112	Low

How to Choose an Airbnb Investment Market in Malaysia

No single ranking tells the full story. The best Airbnb market for a given investor depends on their capital, risk tolerance, operating model, and income goals. The four ranking dimensions on this page — market depth, revenue, ADR, and occupancy — serve different investor profiles.

If you prioritize predictable cash flow, start with the occupancy rankings. Markets where occupancy exceeds 55% offer consistent bookings and lower vacancy risk. High-occupancy markets may not have the highest nightly rates, but their revenue stability makes them better suited for mortgage-backed investments where monthly debt coverage matters more than peak earnings.

If you're targeting maximum income per property, use the revenue rankings. Revenue is the product of nightly rate and occupancy — it captures the combined effect of both. The highest-revenue Airbnb markets in Malaysia tend to be destination cities where travelers stay longer and pay a premium for entire-home listings.

If you're evaluating luxury or premium positioning, the ADR rankings show where guests are willing to pay top dollar per night. High-ADR markets reward property upgrades, professional photography, and amenity investments. However, a high nightly rate with low occupancy may generate less income than a moderately priced listing that stays booked consistently.

If you want the deepest market data, the active listings rankings identify cities with the largest short-term rental supply. More listings mean more comparable properties for pricing, more data points for revenue projections, and typically a more liquid resale market if your investment thesis changes.

In all cases, check the regulation column before committing capital. A profitable market with high regulation may require permits, annual caps on rental days, or costly compliance steps that erode returns. Markets with low regulation offer faster time-to-market but may tighten rules as STR supply grows.

Short-Term Rental Regulation in Malaysia

Understanding the regulatory environment is critical for any Airbnb investment in Malaysia. Regulation affects licensing costs, annual operating limits, tax obligations, and the long-term viability of a short-term rental strategy.

Across the 100 markets ranked on this page: 100 have a low regulation profile (generally operator-friendly with minimal licensing requirements), 0 have medium regulation (some permit or registration requirements), and 0 have high regulation (strict licensing, annual rental day caps, or active enforcement). Markets with low regulation offer the lowest barrier to entry, while high-regulation markets may still be profitable — but require careful compliance planning and often limit the number of properties a single operator can manage.

AirROI classifies regulation as a market-level signal based on available ordinance data and platform registration patterns. This is not legal advice — always verify current local ordinances, as short-term rental rules can change rapidly, especially in high-growth markets where municipalities are actively responding to STR expansion.

How We Rank the Best Airbnb Investment Markets in Malaysia

This page ranks Airbnb markets in Malaysia across four dimensions that matter most to short-term rental investors and operators: market depth (active listings), revenue potential (monthly income per listing), pricing power (average daily rate), and booking demand (occupancy rate). Each ranking uses the same underlying dataset but sorts by a different metric, giving you multiple lenses to evaluate where to invest in Airbnb in Malaysia.

No single metric tells the full story. A market with high ADR but low occupancy may underperform one with moderate pricing and strong demand. Revenue captures the combined effect of rate and occupancy, while active listings signal whether a market has enough depth for reliable benchmarking and a liquid resale environment. We include regulation data alongside every ranking so you can weigh compliance risk before committing capital.

Ranking Methodology & Data Sources

Active Listings (TTM): The count of active short-term rental listings in each market over the trailing twelve months — a proxy for market maturity, data reliability, and investor confidence in Malaysia.
Monthly Revenue: Average gross revenue per listing per month — the bottom-line metric for evaluating Airbnb profitability in Malaysia and projecting cash flow.
Average Daily Rate (ADR): The mean nightly booking price across all active listings — the clearest measure of a market's short-term rental pricing power.
Occupancy Rate: Percentage of available nights booked — the demand signal that determines how much of your nightly rate converts to actual income. Occupancy rankings are filtered to markets with 300+ listings to exclude small markets with unreliable averages.
Regulation: An indicator of the local regulatory climate in Malaysia, from low (operator-friendly) to high (strict licensing and enforcement) — essential for assessing compliance risk.

All data is sourced from AirROI's proprietary analytics pipeline, which tracks 20,000,000+ properties across 190+ countries. Metrics are recalculated on a rolling basis using trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Airbnb Markets in Malaysia

These quick answers summarize the most common investor and operator questions using AirROI's latest market data for Malaysia.

What are the best places to invest in Airbnb in Malaysia?

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur leads this ranking for Malaysia with 15,969 active listings — the largest market by depth. Markets are ranked by listing count because deeper markets offer more comparable data, more pricing benchmarks, and a more predictable operating environment for investors. Each row also shows revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation so investors can evaluate based on what matters most to them.

Which market has the highest Airbnb revenue in Malaysia?

Tengah Island, Kedah posts the highest average monthly revenue in this ranking at $1,721. Revenue leaders often combine healthy rates, solid occupancy, and enough listing scale to support repeatable operations rather than one-off outliers.

Which market has the strongest Airbnb occupancy in Malaysia?

Kampung Padang Gaong, Kedah has the highest occupancy rate in this comparison at 39.4%. High occupancy can signal resilient demand, but investors still need to balance it against nightly rates, regulation, and supply depth before deciding where to buy or operate.

Which market has the highest Airbnb nightly rate in Malaysia?

Pulau Sebang, Malacca commands the highest average daily rate at $208 per night. A high ADR does not automatically translate to the highest revenue — occupancy and seasonality determine how much of that rate converts to realized income.

Which Airbnb markets in Malaysia have the lowest regulation?

Kuala Lumpur (Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur), Johor Bahru (Johor), George Town (Penang) currently show low regulation profiles in this ranking. Lower regulation can reduce compliance costs and time-to-market for new hosts, but investors should always verify local ordinances before purchasing — rules can change quickly as short-term rental markets grow.

Is short-term rental investing still profitable in Malaysia in 2026?

The markets ranked here average 23.3% occupancy, and the top performer posts $1,721 in monthly revenue. Profitability depends on property acquisition cost, local operating expenses, and regulation compliance — but the data shows active, performing markets exist across Malaysia for well-researched investors.

How often are AirROI's top Airbnb market rankings updated?

AirROI updates these rankings using the latest market snapshot available in the dataset, which for this page is anchored to 2026. Rankings should be treated as current market intelligence rather than permanent truths because pricing, demand, regulation, and supply can all shift over time.

What metrics should I use to evaluate Airbnb investments in Malaysia?

The most important metrics for comparing short-term rental markets are active listing count (market depth and data reliability), occupancy rate (demand consistency), average daily rate (pricing power), monthly revenue (income potential), and regulation level (compliance cost and risk). This ranking sorts by market depth first; use the other columns to filter for the profile that fits your investment strategy.

What makes a good Airbnb market for first-time investors in Malaysia?

First-time investors in Malaysia should prioritize markets with high occupancy (55%+) and low regulation, which reduce the risk of empty calendars and compliance surprises. Markets with 200+ active listings also provide better benchmarking data and a more predictable operating environment. Revenue is important, but consistent demand is more forgiving for operators still learning pricing and guest management.

What is a good Airbnb occupancy rate in Malaysia?

Across the markets ranked here, the average occupancy rate in Malaysia is 23.3%. Occupancy above 50% is generally considered healthy for short-term rentals, and above 65% signals strong, sustained demand. However, the best occupancy rate depends on pricing strategy — some hosts maximize revenue by targeting fewer bookings at higher nightly rates rather than maximizing booking volume.

How does regulation affect Airbnb investment returns in Malaysia?

Regulation is one of the most overlooked risks in short-term rental investing. In Malaysia, 100 of 100 ranked markets have low regulation, 0 have medium, and 0 have high. High-regulation markets often require permits, limit annual rental days, or impose occupancy taxes — all of which reduce net returns. Low-regulation markets offer faster time-to-market and lower compliance costs, but rules can tighten as STR supply grows.

What is the difference between ADR and RevPAR for Airbnb investing?

ADR (Average Daily Rate) is the average nightly price guests pay, while RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Rental night) factors in both price and occupancy. A market with $200 ADR and 50% occupancy has $100 RevPAR — the same as a market with $125 ADR and 80% occupancy. RevPAR is a better single-number benchmark for comparing markets because it captures how effectively nightly rates convert to realized income. AirROI's city-level reports include RevPAR with percentile breakdowns for deeper analysis.

How many Airbnb listings does a market need to be investable in Malaysia?

Markets with fewer than 100 active listings can show volatile averages that do not predict future performance. The median market in this Malaysia ranking has about 117 listings. Larger markets (500+) offer more reliable data, more comparable properties for pricing, and typically a more liquid exit if you decide to sell. Smaller markets can still be profitable, but investors should treat the data as directional rather than precise.

How do seasonal and year-round Airbnb markets differ in Malaysia?

Seasonal markets in Malaysia experience dramatic swings in booking demand — often earning 60-70% of annual revenue in just 3-4 peak months. Year-round markets deliver steadier cash flow with lower peak-to-trough variation. Investors who need predictable monthly income should prioritize high-occupancy markets with low seasonal variance, while those comfortable with cash-flow timing can target seasonal markets where peak rates compensate for off-season softness.

About AirROI Market Data

AirROI tracks over 20 million properties across 190+ countries and maintains 15+ years of historical performance data, making it one of the deepest Airbnb and STR intelligence platforms available. The analytics pipeline aggregates listing-level data monthly — revenue, occupancy, nightly rates, RevPAR, guest demographics, booking patterns, and competitive supply — so investors and operators can benchmark any market against its own history and against neighboring destinations.

Real estate investors, property managers, financial institutions, hospitality consultants, and academic researchers rely on AirROI data to underwrite acquisitions, optimize pricing, model macro trends, and conduct peer-reviewed research. Data is available through in-depth market reports, the data portal for bulk downloads, the Airbnb API with 22 endpoints, and an Airbnb MCP Server for AI agents.

All metrics reflect trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings as of 2026-04-08. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

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What Other Airbnb Markets Are in Malaysia?

Gombak Johor Kedah Kelantan Klang Malacca Negeri Sembilan Pahang Penang Perak Perlis Pulau Pinang Putrajaya Sabah Sabak Bernam Sarawak Selangor Terengganu Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur