Many would have thought renting is a cheaper option than owning a house, especially in a big city like Kuala Lumpur. Drawing on the salary/wage data, this article argues that the cost of renting an apartment/condominium and a serviced apartment, which are likely the most available units for rent, is generally not affordable. An average-salaried individual in Kuala Lumpur is likely to face significant challenges in securing an affordable rental housing unit in the city.