Construction Costs
House Construction Cost Planning: Alor Setar, Malaysia
Alor Setar house cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 44.5, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.
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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736309). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early house construction cost planning in Alor Setar, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Malaysia construction price-level index of 44.5, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Alor Setar MYR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Malaysia in 2021; it does not measure a Alor Setar market basket or current house tenders. GeoNames 1736309 records the locality at 6.1210, 100.3601, with snapshot population 417,800. That ranks Alor Setar 25 of 50 listed places, while Sungai Petani is the nearest listed peer at about 55 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.
What does the 44.5 construction index mean?
The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Malaysia is 44.5, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that house work in Alor Setar costs 0.445 times a current world rate.
Which Alor Setar inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is 6.1210, 100.3601 (GeoNames 1736309). Its snapshot population is 417,800, ranked 25 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a first-order administrative seat in administrative area 02. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a Alor Setar house project, reconcile dwelling size, structural system, envelope specification, kitchens and bathrooms. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.
| Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement |
|---|---|---|
| National context | ICP 2021 PLI 44.5 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local MYR/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date |
| Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route |
| Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation |
| Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review |
Alor Setar comparable-location search screen
This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.
| Listed place | Great-circle km from Alor Setar | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sungai Petani | 55 | 544,851 | 02 |
| Kota Kuala Muda | 59 | 544,984 | 02 |
| Paya Terubong | 84 | 226,712 | 09 |
| Bukit Mertajam | 85 | 212,329 | 09 |
| Taiping | 147 | 217,647 | 07 |
| Taman Petaling | 355 | 423,062 | 14 |
| Kampung Kangkar Teberau | 634 | 412,373 | 01 |
| Kuala Terengganu | 320 | 426,500 | 13 |
Price-level normalization worksheet
For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (44.5 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 0.445; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.
| Input | Recorded value | Release condition |
|---|---|---|
| Target national PLI | 44.5 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only |
| Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country |
| Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope |
| Local Alor Setar adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence |
| Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate |
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all construction costs guidance
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Alor Setar, Malaysia
- School Construction Cost Planning: Alor Setar, Malaysia
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: Alor Setar, Malaysia
- House Construction Cost Planning: Sungai Petani, Malaysia
- All construction costs guidance for Malaysia
- Climate Design Data: Alor Setar, Malaysia
- Sun Path: Alor Setar, Malaysia
Sources and method
National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames MY dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736309). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
Does the 44.5 index give a house cost per m² for Alor Setar?
No. 44.5 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Malaysia, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Alor Setar MYR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a Alor Setar house estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current Alor Setar comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile dwelling size, structural system, envelope specification, kitchens and bathrooms, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.
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