Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $502 (excluding rent), and $804 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,424 (excluding rent), and $1,706 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.85 MYR 15.15

$2.17 MYR 8.52

$6.02 MYR 23.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.70 MYR 69.6

$15.33 MYR 60.3

$35.38 MYR 139

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.51 MYR 21.65

$4.13 MYR 16.22

$6.88 MYR 27.04

Cappuccino

$2.86 MYR 11.26

$1.19 MYR 4.69

$3.58 MYR 14.08

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 MYR 2.42

$0.55 MYR 2.16

$0.68 MYR 2.69

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.55

$0.29 MYR 1.14

$0.49 MYR 1.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 MYR 10.82

$2.06 MYR 8.11

$3.44 MYR 13.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.93 MYR 19.39

$4.69 MYR 18.45

$5.17 MYR 20.33

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 MYR 6.78

$1.61 MYR 6.32

$1.84 MYR 7.24

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 MYR 5.12

$1.15 MYR 4.51

$1.60 MYR 6.31

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 MYR 5.21

$0.70 MYR 2.75

$2.43 MYR 9.54

Eggs

$2.09 MYR 8.19

$1.66 MYR 6.51

$2.76 MYR 10.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.41 MYR 64.5

$3.52 MYR 13.84

$24.64 MYR 96.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.32 MYR 13.04

$3.20 MYR 12.58

$3.43 MYR 13.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.53 MYR 21.75

$5.07 MYR 19.94

$5.99 MYR 23.55

Apples (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 6.58

$4.30 MYR 16.91

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 MYR 3.58

$0.69 MYR 2.70

$1.14 MYR 4.49

Oranges (1kg)

$1.60 MYR 6.29

$1.15 MYR 4.50

$2.06 MYR 8.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.07 MYR 4.21

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$1.46 MYR 5.72

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 MYR 2.09

$0.49 MYR 1.92

$0.56 MYR 2.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.55

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$2.32 MYR 9.10

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 MYR 2.86

$1.77 MYR 6.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.55

$0.34 MYR 1.32

$0.45 MYR 1.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.02 MYR 15.80

$3.55 MYR 13.95

$5.08 MYR 19.98

Wine (Bottle)

$19.29 MYR 75.8

$12.86 MYR 50.5

$20.58 MYR 80.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 MYR 11.06

$1.64 MYR 6.46

$3.32 MYR 13.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 MYR 7.49

$1.78 MYR 7.01

$4.75 MYR 18.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.16 MYR 4.54

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$1.16 MYR 4.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.74 MYR 61.9

$9.45 MYR 37.14

$15.74 MYR 61.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.92 MYR 3.60

$0.69 MYR 2.72

$1.38 MYR 5.40

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.86 MYR 3.38

$0.64 MYR 2.52

$1.07 MYR 4.21

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.38 MYR 9.37

$7.14 MYR 28.06

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 MYR 2.16

$0.50 MYR 1.95

$0.63 MYR 2.48

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$42.7K MYR 167.9K

$35.6K MYR 139.9K

$42.7K MYR 167.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$37.2K MYR 146.2K

$27.9K MYR 109.6K

$37.2K MYR 146.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$58.0 MYR 228

$40.02 MYR 157

$76.0 MYR 299

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.95 MYR 35.16

$5.77 MYR 22.68

$13.86 MYR 54.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.66 MYR 117

$23.73 MYR 93.3

$35.59 MYR 140

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.7 MYR 258

$35.60 MYR 140

$119 MYR 466

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.92 MYR 23.27

$3.56 MYR 13.98

$5.92 MYR 23.27

Cinema Ticket

$4.19 MYR 16.45

$3.72 MYR 14.62

$6.98 MYR 27.43

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$120 MYR 470

$81.0 MYR 318

$162 MYR 636

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,950 MYR 27.3K

$3,475 MYR 13.7K

$11.1K MYR 43.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.6 MYR 246

$30.73 MYR 121

$94.5 MYR 372

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.76 MYR 133

$20.79 MYR 81.7

$46.72 MYR 184

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.3 MYR 304

$59.5 MYR 234

$95.1 MYR 374

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.1 MYR 354

$36.05 MYR 142

$144 MYR 567

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 MYR 843

$143 MYR 562

$357 MYR 1,405

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$152 MYR 598

$119 MYR 469

$215 MYR 844

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$458 MYR 1,799

$423 MYR 1,661

$587 MYR 2,307

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$320 MYR 1,259

$285 MYR 1,119

$356 MYR 1,399

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,806 MYR 7,099

$1,704 MYR 6,696

$1,909 MYR 7,501

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,174 MYR 4,613

$970 MYR 3,814

$1,377 MYR 5,413

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 MYR 2,452

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

3.6

4.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: February 28, 2026

Bintulu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Bintulu - Frequently Asked Questions

For many travelers and expats, Cost of Living in Bintulu offers a practical balance of comfort and value compared with larger Malaysian cities. You will find affordable options for housing in older or quieter neighborhoods, while modern apartments near town centers can still feel reasonable. Local markets and street food deliver flavorful meals at low cost, and dining out is possible without stretching your budget. Utilities and internet run reliably, with cost influenced by season and usage. It is easy to scale your stay up or down by mixing short-term stays with longer leases. Tip: Start in a neighborhood close to markets and transit to learn the rhythm.

Your daily rhythm shapes the Bintulu living cost you experience. Housing options range from simple apartments to larger houses in suburban lanes, and you will often find sensible deals by negotiating leases or choosing older buildings with practical layouts. Look for neighborhoods with easy access to markets, waterfront paths, and reliable internet for remote work. Groceries emphasize local produce, seafood, and steam-cooked meals; cooking at home generally keeps expenses predictable. Public buses and ride-hailing are available, while scooters or cars add freedom for errands beyond town centers. Tip: use a buyers' or rental guide to compare areas before committing to a long stay.

Quality of life in Bintulu comes from smart budgeting, neighborhood fit, and seasonal rhythm. Try a simple monthly framework: housing, food, transport, utilities, and leisure, with small buffers for misc. Choose a neighborhood that balances walkability, market access, and quiet evenings; central zones save time, while suburban lanes offer space. Seasonality matters: expect heavier rain during monsoon months, which affects outdoor plans and laundry routines, but it can also lower outdoor activity costs. Save by cooking from scratch, shopping at local markets, and sharing coworking spaces or cafes with reliable Wi-Fi. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during different weeks to see where you feel most at home.