Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $647 (excluding rent), and $806 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,179 (excluding rent), and $1,755 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.72 MYR 15.35

$2.09 MYR 8.63

$5.81 MYR 23.98

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 MYR 73

$15.34 MYR 63.3

$35.4 MYR 146

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.73 MYR 23.66

$4.3 MYR 17.72

$7.16 MYR 29.55

Cappuccino

$2.77 MYR 11.42

$1.15 MYR 4.76

$3.46 MYR 14.29

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

$0.63 MYR 2.58

$0.56 MYR 2.3

$0.69 MYR 2.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.49

$0.27 MYR 1.1

$0.45 MYR 1.84

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.85 MYR 11.74

$2.13 MYR 8.79

$3.56 MYR 14.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.1 MYR 21.03

$4.85 MYR 20.01

$5.35 MYR 22.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 MYR 7.14

$1.61 MYR 6.65

$1.85 MYR 7.62

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 MYR 5.65

$1.21 MYR 4.98

$1.69 MYR 6.96

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.25 MYR 5.17

$0.66 MYR 2.73

$2.29 MYR 9.46

Eggs

$2.17 MYR 8.95

$1.72 MYR 7.11

$2.87 MYR 11.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.56 MYR 68.3

$3.55 MYR 14.66

$24.88 MYR 103

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.44 MYR 14.18

$3.32 MYR 13.68

$3.55 MYR 14.64

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.51 MYR 22.74

$5.05 MYR 20.85

$5.97 MYR 24.62

Apples (1kg)

$1.66 MYR 6.86

$4.27 MYR 17.62

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 MYR 4.07

$0.74 MYR 3.07

$1.24 MYR 5.11

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 MYR 6.68

$1.16 MYR 4.77

$2.08 MYR 8.58

Tomato (1kg)

$1.1 MYR 4.54

$0.71 MYR 2.92

$1.5 MYR 6.17

Potato (1kg)

$0.49 MYR 2

$0.45 MYR 1.85

$0.51 MYR 2.12

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.75

$0.46 MYR 1.89

$2.3 MYR 9.51

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 MYR 2.98

$1.76 MYR 7.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.4 MYR 1.64

$0.34 MYR 1.4

$0.46 MYR 1.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 MYR 16.63

$3.56 MYR 14.68

$5.1 MYR 21.02

Wine (Bottle)

$19.6 MYR 80.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 MYR 12.15

$1.72 MYR 7.09

$3.47 MYR 14.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 MYR 7.7

$1.75 MYR 7.21

$4.65 MYR 19.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.2 MYR 4.94

$0.48 MYR 1.97

$1.2 MYR 4.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.94 MYR 65.8

$9.57 MYR 39.48

$15.94 MYR 65.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.92 MYR 3.81

$0.7 MYR 2.87

$1.38 MYR 5.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.92 MYR 3.78

$0.68 MYR 2.81

$1.14 MYR 4.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.29 MYR 9.46

$6.87 MYR 28.35

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.08

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$0.58 MYR 2.39

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

$42.9K MYR 176.8K

$35.7K MYR 147.3K

$42.9K MYR 176.8K

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

$37.6K MYR 155K

$28.2K MYR 116.3K

$37.6K MYR 155K

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

$57 MYR 235

$39.31 MYR 162

$74.7 MYR 308

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

$30.84 MYR 127

$14.23 MYR 58.7

$47.45 MYR 196

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.17 MYR 120

$23.34 MYR 96.3

$35 MYR 144

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.3 MYR 269

$35.4 MYR 146

$118 MYR 487

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.87 MYR 48.95

$4.74 MYR 19.57

$18.99 MYR 78.3

Cinema Ticket

$4.19 MYR 17.3

$3.73 MYR 15.38

$6.99 MYR 28.84

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

$123 MYR 508

$83.4 MYR 344

$167 MYR 688

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,190 MYR 29.7K

$3,595 MYR 14.8K

$11.5K MYR 47.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.4 MYR 253

$30.14 MYR 124

$92.7 MYR 383

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.39 MYR 138

$20.57 MYR 84.9

$46.22 MYR 191

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.8 MYR 321

$59.8 MYR 247

$95.7 MYR 395

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.9 MYR 359

$34.77 MYR 143

$139 MYR 574

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$208 MYR 858

$139 MYR 572

$347 MYR 1,429

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 MYR 624

$119 MYR 489

$213 MYR 881

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$455 MYR 1,876

$420 MYR 1,732

$583 MYR 2,405

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$316 MYR 1,305

$281 MYR 1,160

$352 MYR 1,450

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,703 MYR 7,025

$1,607 MYR 6,627

$1,800 MYR 7,424

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,128 MYR 4,654

$933 MYR 3,848

$1,324 MYR 5,461

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$612 MYR 2,524

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: November 30, 2025

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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.