Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

39.12

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $619 (excluding rent), and $827 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,344 (excluding rent), and $1,754 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.72 MYR 15.71

$2.09 MYR 8.83

$5.82 MYR 24.54

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.02 MYR 76

$15.61 MYR 65.8

$36.02 MYR 152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.54 MYR 23.36

$4.15 MYR 17.5

$6.92 MYR 29.18

Cappuccino

$2.89 MYR 12.2

$1.21 MYR 5.09

$3.62 MYR 15.26

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

$0.62 MYR 2.61

$0.55 MYR 2.32

$0.69 MYR 2.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.65

$0.29 MYR 1.22

$0.49 MYR 2.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.79 MYR 11.75

$2.09 MYR 8.8

$3.49 MYR 14.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5 MYR 21.07

$4.75 MYR 20.05

$5.24 MYR 22.09

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 MYR 7.33

$1.62 MYR 6.83

$1.86 MYR 7.83

White Bread (500g)

$1.36 MYR 5.74

$1.2 MYR 5.06

$1.68 MYR 7.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.36

$0.67 MYR 2.82

$2.32 MYR 9.8

Eggs

$2.15 MYR 9.08

$1.71 MYR 7.22

$2.85 MYR 12.01

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.38 MYR 69.1

$3.51 MYR 14.82

$24.59 MYR 104

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.44 MYR 14.52

$3.32 MYR 14.01

$3.55 MYR 14.99

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.56 MYR 23.44

$5.1 MYR 21.49

$6.02 MYR 25.38

Apples (1kg)

$1.68 MYR 7.1

$4.33 MYR 18.26

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 MYR 4.16

$0.75 MYR 3.14

$1.24 MYR 5.22

Oranges (1kg)

$1.7 MYR 7.15

$1.21 MYR 5.12

$2.18 MYR 9.19

Tomato (1kg)

$1.11 MYR 4.68

$0.71 MYR 3

$1.51 MYR 6.35

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 MYR 2.24

$0.49 MYR 2.07

$0.56 MYR 2.37

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.9

$0.46 MYR 1.95

$2.32 MYR 9.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 MYR 3.08

$1.77 MYR 7.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.4 MYR 1.67

$0.34 MYR 1.43

$0.45 MYR 1.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 MYR 16.67

$3.49 MYR 14.71

$5 MYR 21.07

Wine (Bottle)

$19.17 MYR 80.8

$10.78 MYR 45.46

$21.57 MYR 91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.8 MYR 11.83

$1.64 MYR 6.91

$3.3 MYR 13.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 MYR 8.04

$1.79 MYR 7.53

$4.75 MYR 20.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.21 MYR 5.11

$0.48 MYR 2.03

$1.21 MYR 5.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.4 MYR 64.9

$9.24 MYR 38.97

$15.4 MYR 64.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 MYR 4.01

$0.72 MYR 3.03

$1.43 MYR 6.02

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.93 MYR 3.94

$0.69 MYR 2.93

$1.16 MYR 4.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.38 MYR 10.04

$7.13 MYR 30.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.52 MYR 2.18

$0.47 MYR 1.97

$0.59 MYR 2.51

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

$42.4K MYR 178.9K

$35.4K MYR 149.1K

$42.4K MYR 178.9K

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

$37.8K MYR 159.4K

$28.3K MYR 119.5K

$37.8K MYR 159.4K

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

$58.9 MYR 248

$40.6 MYR 171

$77.1 MYR 325

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

$31.16 MYR 131

$14.38 MYR 60.6

$47.94 MYR 202

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.9 MYR 126

$23.92 MYR 101

$35.88 MYR 151

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.3 MYR 271

$34.87 MYR 147

$116 MYR 490

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.75 MYR 49.55

$4.7 MYR 19.81

$18.8 MYR 79.3

Cinema Ticket

$4.26 MYR 17.97

$3.79 MYR 15.97

$7.1 MYR 29.96

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

$121 MYR 511

$82.1 MYR 346

$164 MYR 692

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,093 MYR 29.9K

$3,546 MYR 15K

$11.3K MYR 47.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.2 MYR 262

$30.53 MYR 129

$93.9 MYR 396

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.61 MYR 142

$20.7 MYR 87.3

$46.52 MYR 196

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.8 MYR 328

$59.9 MYR 252

$95.8 MYR 404

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.8 MYR 370

$35.11 MYR 148

$140 MYR 592

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$213 MYR 900

$142 MYR 600

$356 MYR 1,500

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$149 MYR 628

$117 MYR 492

$210 MYR 886

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$460 MYR 1,940

$425 MYR 1,791

$590 MYR 2,487

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$315 MYR 1,327

$280 MYR 1,180

$350 MYR 1,475

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,645 MYR 6,935

$1,551 MYR 6,542

$1,738 MYR 7,329

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,114 MYR 4,699

$921 MYR 3,885

$1,308 MYR 5,514

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$593 MYR 2,501

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.

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.