Kuala Lumpur Has More 150m+ Towers Than Tokyo: What 201 Skyscrapers Mean for Condo Buyers in KL
Yes. According to the Skyscraper Center database of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH, the international body that tracks tall buildings), Kuala Lumpur has 201 buildings of 150 metres (about 45 storeys) or more, the most of any capital city, ahead of Tokyo with 179, Bangkok 129, Jakarta 117 and Singapore 102. Counting all cities, KL ranks 8th in the world, behind Hong Kong, Shenzhen, New York, Dubai and four Chinese cities. With about 2 million people against roughly 14 million in Tokyo Metropolis, KL has roughly seven times as many tall towers per person, using the whole of Tokyo Metropolis.
For anyone buying a condo in Kuala Lumpur, that means three things: living high costs more in maintenance (among projects we sell, city-centre condos charge about RM0.67 per square foot a month against about RM0.35 elsewhere in KL); today's view can be blocked by the next tower; and there is plenty of choice in each area, for buyers and tenants alike.
How many tall buildings does KL have compared with other cities?
| City | 150m+ | 200m+ | 300m+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 201 | 74 | 7 |
| Tokyo | 179 | 41 | 1 |
| Bangkok | 129 | 36 | 3 |
| Jakarta | 117 | 51 | 2 |
| Singapore | 102 | 35 | 0 |
| Seoul | 86 | 21 | 2 |
| Beijing | 70 | 27 | 2 |
| London | 43 | 12 | 1 |
The ranking image going round online is broadly right, but a few numbers differ from CTBUH's current data: Tokyo is 179, not 178; Beijing is 70, not 63; and CTBUH counts Manila city on its own, with business districts such as Makati listed separately, so it would not show 61. The database updates as new towers complete, so check it yourself before quoting.
KL has seven buildings above 300 metres, including the Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka 118; Tokyo has one. Tokyo's earthquakes and strict building rules keep most of its towers under 200 metres, while high land prices and high permitted density in central KL push developers upwards.
How much more do you pay each month to live in a tall tower?
Tall buildings need high-speed lifts, fire systems, facade cleaning and more security, and all of it goes into the maintenance fee. We compared the 185 projects currently for sale on PropertySifu that publish a fee:
| Area | Projects | Fee (per sq ft per month) | About per month for 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL city centre (KLCC, Bukit Bintang, KL Sentral, Ampang Hilir) | 28 | RM0.67 | RM670 |
| Rest of Kuala Lumpur | 95 | RM0.35 | RM350 |
| Selangor | 62 | RM0.33 | RM330 |
For the same 1,000 square feet, a city-centre tower costs about RM320 more a month, close to RM3,900 a year, or nearly RM40,000 over ten years. That money is not in the price, but it decides how comfortable the repayments feel and how much rent you actually keep. How fees and sinking funds work: maintenance fee and sinking fund guide.
Buying a high-rise condo in KL: what to check
| Check | Why | How |
|---|---|---|
| Whether the view will be blocked | With so many towers, the empty plot next door may be next | Ask the developer about the surrounding plots; check local council planning records for approved developments |
| Enough lifts | Above 40 storeys, rush-hour waits can run to minutes | Ask how many lifts per block and units per floor; press the button yourself at the show gallery |
| Maintenance fee and sinking fund | Tall buildings are expensive to maintain and fees tend to rise | Look at current charges and ask management whether they have gone up in recent years |
| Supply in the same area | More new towers nearby means more competition when renting or reselling | Count the new projects on the same road or around the same MRT station |
| Residential or commercial title | Many city-centre units are serviced apartments with different utility rates and assessment tax | Check the SPA and title; see serviced apartment vs condo |
Which floor and facing: which condo floor is best. Worried about too much building in one area: oversupply risk.
Our view: the skyline is the city's report card, not a guarantee for your unit
201 towers show that KL has had the capital, demand and skills to build over the past two or three decades, which is good news. But for a buyer, the number of towers in the city does not make your unit worth more. What matters is that building's location, management and fees, and how many similar units nearby are waiting for buyers and tenants.
City-centre high-rise suits people who work nearby, care about walking to the MRT and are willing to pay more in fees for convenience. If you are buying to invest because "KL has the world's best skyline", first work out what the rent leaves after fees. Choosing in the city centre: is KLCC worth buying.
Frequently asked questions
How many storeys is 150 metres?
Residential floors are usually 3 to 3.3 metres, so 150 metres is about 45 to 50 storeys. CTBUH measures height to the architectural top, not antennas.
Are all of KL's tall buildings residential?
No. The 201 include offices, hotels and towers above malls, as well as many condos and serviced apartments. CTBUH ranks by height only, not use.
Why do some posts say Beijing has 63 and you say 70?
We used CTBUH Skyscraper Center data checked on 17 October 2026, which shows 70 for Beijing. The image online may use older data; the database updates as towers complete.
Is higher always better?
Not necessarily. Higher floors have better views and less noise, but fees are charged by area anyway, lift waits are longer, and power cuts or lift maintenance are harder. It depends on how you live.
Do so many towers mean KL has an oversupply of homes?
The tower count alone does not show oversupply; what matters is how many units in an area remain unsold or unlet. Some city-centre serviced apartment areas do face stiff rental and resale competition, so check nearby supply before buying.
Building counts are from the CTBUH Skyscraper Center city ranking (checked 17 October 2026) and change as new towers complete. Population: Kuala Lumpur about 1.98 million (2020 Census), Tokyo Metropolis about 14 million. Maintenance fees are from the 185 projects for sale on PropertySifu that publish a fee (13 October 2026); they reflect new launches only, not all subsale condos. Compiled by Affirm Plus Research.
Send us the two or three projects you are considering. We will compare fees, lifts, nearby new supply, and what the rent leaves after costs.