Cost of Living in Batu Kawan - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $590 (excluding rent), and $929 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,425 (excluding rent), and $1,968 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.78 MYR 20.16
$2.39 MYR 10.1
$7.17 MYR 30.25
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.8 MYR 117
$16.22 MYR 68.4
$46.33 MYR 195
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.76 MYR 20.09
$4.29 MYR 18.08
$5.96 MYR 25.12
Cappuccino
$2.96 MYR 12.5
$1.37 MYR 5.78
$4.12 MYR 17.38
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 MYR 3.63
$0.58 MYR 2.43
$1.61 MYR 6.8
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 MYR 2.21
$0.36 MYR 1.52
$0.97 MYR 4.08
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.21 MYR 17.73
$2.57 MYR 10.83
$7.01 MYR 29.57
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.03 MYR 25.44
$4.11 MYR 17.32
$8.45 MYR 35.64
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.43 MYR 6.04
$1.43 MYR 6.04
$2.63 MYR 11.09
White Bread (500g)
$1 MYR 4.21
$0.69 MYR 2.9
$2.29 MYR 9.66
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.72 MYR 3.04
$0.72 MYR 3.04
$2.63 MYR 11.1
Eggs
$2.04 MYR 8.6
$1.36 MYR 5.73
$3.49 MYR 14.72
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.35 MYR 60.5
$6.95 MYR 29.31
$32.67 MYR 138
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.54 MYR 19.13
$2.77 MYR 11.67
$6.91 MYR 29.15
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.66 MYR 40.72
$4.22 MYR 17.82
$14.09 MYR 59.4
Apples (1kg)
$2.87 MYR 12.12
$1.39 MYR 5.85
$3.71 MYR 15.64
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 MYR 6.81
$0.95 MYR 4
$2.38 MYR 10.04
Oranges (1kg)
$2.64 MYR 11.13
$1.17 MYR 4.94
$3.58 MYR 15.11
Tomato (1kg)
$1.5 MYR 6.33
$0.52 MYR 2.21
$2.38 MYR 10.02
Potato (1kg)
$1.22 MYR 5.15
$0.51 MYR 2.14
$2.3 MYR 9.72
Onion (1kg)
$1.4 MYR 5.89
$0.72 MYR 3.05
$2.41 MYR 10.15
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 MYR 4.97
$0.7 MYR 2.97
$1.87 MYR 7.89
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62 MYR 2.63
$0.34 MYR 1.42
$1.02 MYR 4.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 MYR 18.11
$4.17 MYR 17.59
$5.28 MYR 22.27
Wine (Bottle)
$17.53 MYR 73.9
$11.68 MYR 49.26
$28.04 MYR 118
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.34 MYR 14.07
$1.91 MYR 8.04
$4.27 MYR 18.03
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.3 MYR 18.15
$2.35 MYR 9.89
$6.79 MYR 28.64
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.68 MYR 2.86
$0.45 MYR 1.89
$0.9 MYR 3.79
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.86 MYR 50
$9.49 MYR 40.04
$11.86 MYR 50
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.74 MYR 3.14
$0.74 MYR 3.14
$1.48 MYR 6.24
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.1 MYR 4.64
$0.88 MYR 3.73
$1.32 MYR 5.55
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.59 MYR 19.34
$3.45 MYR 14.53
$5.05 MYR 21.31
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.5 MYR 2.13
$0.48 MYR 2.04
$0.72 MYR 3.04
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K MYR 128K
$30.3K MYR 128K
$42K MYR 177.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.2K MYR 140K
$31.4K MYR 132.6K
$35.5K MYR 149.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$64.8 MYR 273
$37.89 MYR 160
$94.7 MYR 399
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.42 MYR 48.18
$5.86 MYR 24.72
$23.46 MYR 98.9
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.8 MYR 96.2
$22.36 MYR 94.3
$34.9 MYR 147
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.43 MYR 141
$18.14 MYR 76.5
$42.68 MYR 180
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.87 MYR 24.77
$3.53 MYR 14.89
$5.87 MYR 24.77
Cinema Ticket
$3.63 MYR 15.3
$3.63 MYR 15.3
$7.25 MYR 30.56
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$262 MYR 1,106
$139 MYR 585
$463 MYR 1,951
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,280 MYR 39.1K
$5,568 MYR 23.5K
$18.6K MYR 78.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.4 MYR 259
$35.74 MYR 151
$83.4 MYR 352
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.65 MYR 155
$16.19 MYR 68.3
$57.8 MYR 244
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87 MYR 367
$59.7 MYR 252
$119 MYR 503
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.2 MYR 334
$46.37 MYR 196
$116 MYR 489
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$394 MYR 1,662
$240 MYR 1,012
$444 MYR 1,873
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$270 MYR 1,138
$142 MYR 597
$303 MYR 1,279
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$647 MYR 2,730
$450 MYR 1,897
$1,042 MYR 4,393
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$470 MYR 1,983
$282 MYR 1,190
$658 MYR 2,776
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,733 MYR 7,307
$1,348 MYR 5,683
$2,023 MYR 8,529
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,122 MYR 4,730
$762 MYR 3,213
$1,284 MYR 5,414
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,799 MYR 7,588
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4
3.6
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Batu Kawan - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Batu Kawan generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other Malaysian cities in terms of value?
Compared with major urban hubs, Batu Kawan tends to offer a practical balance of value and convenience. Cost of Living in Batu Kawan, Malaysia sits lower in some everyday categories like dining out, groceries, and basic services, while still delivering modern amenities, reliable internet, and convenient access to parks and shopping centers. You’ll find a mix of mid-range housing and newer developments that feel comfortable for longer stays without the city-center price tag. The trade-off is a quieter pace and fewer nightlife options, which many nomads appreciate for focus, routine, and a slower rhythm. Tip: Plan a two-week pilot stay to feel the rhythm before committing.
What does daily life look like in Batu Kawan for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Your housing search will surface a mix of modern apartments, townhouses, and newer gated communities near amenities. Local markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce, while cafes and hawker stalls provide affordable meals. For getting around, car or scooter is common, with ride-hailing options and a developing road network linking to Penang Island. Co-working spaces plus private studios are workable if you need a steady work setup; many cafes with Wi-Fi are also viable. Run errands by foot in small-town pockets or short drives to malls. Batu Kawan, Malaysia living cost tends to feel manageable when you cluster daily life around transit hubs. Tip: Start with short stays near a transit hub to test comfort and costs.
What should you consider for quality of life, budgeting frameworks, and tips to save while living here?
Quality of life in Batu Kawan hinges on safe neighborhoods, accessible green spaces, and dependable Wi-Fi for remote work. Frame your budget with a simple plan that splits housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure, then adjust as you go. Save by cooking at home, favoring local markets, and choosing housing with energy-efficient features. Expect seasonality in outdoor activities and travel plans, but food markets and community events keep life lively year-round. Neighborhood fit is about proximity to parks, malls, or coworking spaces, plus a walkable core for errands. Tip: set a monthly review date to rebalance spending and cravings.
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