Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $613 (excluding rent), and $802 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,360 (excluding rent), and $1,684 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.81 MYR 15.46

$2.14 MYR 8.70

$5.95 MYR 24.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.35 MYR 70.4

$15.03 MYR 61.0

$34.69 MYR 141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.73 MYR 23.27

$4.29 MYR 17.43

$7.16 MYR 29.07

Cappuccino

$2.79 MYR 11.34

$1.16 MYR 4.73

$3.49 MYR 14.19

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

$0.67 MYR 2.71

$0.60 MYR 2.42

$0.74 MYR 3.01

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.60

$0.29 MYR 1.18

$0.49 MYR 1.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 MYR 11.18

$2.06 MYR 8.37

$3.44 MYR 13.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.86 MYR 19.73

$4.62 MYR 18.78

$5.10 MYR 20.69

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 MYR 6.99

$1.60 MYR 6.51

$1.84 MYR 7.46

White Bread (500g)

$1.36 MYR 5.52

$1.20 MYR 4.86

$1.67 MYR 6.80

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 MYR 5.38

$0.70 MYR 2.84

$2.43 MYR 9.85

Eggs

$2.11 MYR 8.56

$1.67 MYR 6.80

$2.79 MYR 11.32

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.67 MYR 67.7

$3.58 MYR 14.52

$25.03 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.32 MYR 13.48

$3.20 MYR 13.01

$3.43 MYR 13.91

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.75 MYR 23.34

$5.27 MYR 21.40

$6.23 MYR 25.28

Apples (1kg)

$1.61 MYR 6.55

$4.15 MYR 16.84

Banana (1kg)

$0.92 MYR 3.75

$0.70 MYR 2.83

$1.16 MYR 4.71

Oranges (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 6.79

$1.20 MYR 4.85

$2.15 MYR 8.72

Tomato (1kg)

$1.07 MYR 4.33

$0.69 MYR 2.78

$1.45 MYR 5.89

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 MYR 2.12

$0.48 MYR 1.95

$0.55 MYR 2.24

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.69

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$2.31 MYR 9.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 MYR 2.98

$1.78 MYR 7.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 MYR 1.61

$0.34 MYR 1.37

$0.45 MYR 1.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.93 MYR 15.96

$3.47 MYR 14.09

$4.97 MYR 20.18

Wine (Bottle)

$17.83 MYR 72.4

$12.30 MYR 49.95

$19.68 MYR 79.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 MYR 11.79

$1.70 MYR 6.89

$3.42 MYR 13.90

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 MYR 7.74

$1.78 MYR 7.25

$4.75 MYR 19.28

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.15 MYR 4.67

$0.46 MYR 1.86

$1.15 MYR 4.67

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.49 MYR 62.9

$9.30 MYR 37.75

$15.49 MYR 62.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 MYR 3.67

$0.68 MYR 2.77

$1.36 MYR 5.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.86 MYR 3.50

$0.64 MYR 2.60

$1.07 MYR 4.35

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 MYR 9.76

$7.20 MYR 29.24

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 MYR 2.24

$0.50 MYR 2.03

$0.64 MYR 2.58

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

$43.0K MYR 174.6K

$35.8K MYR 145.5K

$43.0K MYR 174.6K

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

$37.8K MYR 153.5K

$28.4K MYR 115.1K

$37.8K MYR 153.5K

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

$58.1 MYR 236

$40.11 MYR 163

$76.2 MYR 309

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

$8.96 MYR 36.39

$5.78 MYR 23.48

$13.88 MYR 56.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.76 MYR 121

$23.81 MYR 96.7

$35.71 MYR 145

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.9 MYR 263

$35.17 MYR 143

$117 MYR 476

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.01 MYR 24.39

$3.61 MYR 14.66

$6.01 MYR 24.39

Cinema Ticket

$4.16 MYR 16.88

$3.70 MYR 15.01

$6.93 MYR 28.15

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

$122 MYR 497

$82.9 MYR 337

$166 MYR 673

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,100 MYR 28.8K

$3,550 MYR 14.4K

$11.4K MYR 46.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 MYR 258

$31.13 MYR 126

$95.8 MYR 389

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.09 MYR 138

$21.00 MYR 85.3

$47.18 MYR 192

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.9 MYR 312

$59.2 MYR 240

$94.7 MYR 384

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.2 MYR 358

$35.29 MYR 143

$141 MYR 573

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$208 MYR 846

$139 MYR 564

$347 MYR 1,410

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 MYR 614

$119 MYR 482

$213 MYR 867

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$460 MYR 1,866

$424 MYR 1,723

$589 MYR 2,393

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$320 MYR 1,299

$284 MYR 1,154

$355 MYR 1,443

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,754 MYR 7,120

$1,654 MYR 6,716

$1,853 MYR 7,523

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,160 MYR 4,710

$959 MYR 3,894

$1,361 MYR 5,526

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 MYR 2,515

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: January 11, 2026

Bintulu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

237

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.