Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $784 monthly including rent, or $590 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,232 with rent, or $1,039 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,681 including rent, or $1,488 for daily expenses alone.

Bintulu sits about 42% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 25% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.74 MYR 14.82

$2.10 MYR 8.33

$5.84 MYR 23.15

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.52 MYR 69.5

$15.18 MYR 60.2

$35.03 MYR 139

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.71 MYR 22.64

$4.28 MYR 16.96

$7.13 MYR 28.28

Cappuccino

$2.91 MYR 11.55

$1.21 MYR 4.82

$3.64 MYR 14.45

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

$0.66 MYR 2.62

$0.59 MYR 2.33

$0.73 MYR 2.90

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 MYR 1.57

$0.29 MYR 1.16

$0.49 MYR 1.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 MYR 10.89

$2.06 MYR 8.16

$3.44 MYR 13.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.00 MYR 19.84

$4.76 MYR 18.88

$5.25 MYR 20.80

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 MYR 6.84

$1.61 MYR 6.38

$1.84 MYR 7.31

White Bread (500g)

$1.36 MYR 5.41

$1.20 MYR 4.77

$1.68 MYR 6.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 MYR 5.06

$0.67 MYR 2.67

$2.34 MYR 9.26

Eggs

$2.19 MYR 8.70

$1.74 MYR 6.91

$2.90 MYR 11.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.56 MYR 65.7

$3.55 MYR 14.09

$24.87 MYR 98.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.34 MYR 13.26

$3.23 MYR 12.79

$3.45 MYR 13.68

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.74 MYR 22.75

$5.26 MYR 20.86

$6.21 MYR 24.64

Apples (1kg)

$1.69 MYR 6.70

$4.34 MYR 17.23

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 MYR 3.83

$0.73 MYR 2.89

$1.21 MYR 4.80

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 MYR 6.48

$1.17 MYR 4.63

$2.10 MYR 8.32

Tomato (1kg)

$1.12 MYR 4.45

$0.72 MYR 2.86

$1.52 MYR 6.04

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 MYR 2.07

$0.48 MYR 1.91

$0.55 MYR 2.19

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.56

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$2.30 MYR 9.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$1.75 MYR 6.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.56

$0.33 MYR 1.33

$0.45 MYR 1.78

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 MYR 15.64

$3.48 MYR 13.81

$4.99 MYR 19.78

Wine (Bottle)

$19.24 MYR 76.3

$12.41 MYR 49.22

$19.86 MYR 78.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 MYR 11.01

$1.62 MYR 6.43

$3.27 MYR 12.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 MYR 7.70

$1.82 MYR 7.21

$4.84 MYR 19.19

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.15 MYR 4.56

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$1.15 MYR 4.56

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.56 MYR 61.7

$9.34 MYR 37.03

$15.56 MYR 61.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.97 MYR 3.86

$0.73 MYR 2.91

$1.46 MYR 5.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.86 MYR 3.42

$0.64 MYR 2.55

$1.07 MYR 4.26

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.34 MYR 9.29

$7.02 MYR 27.83

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.51 MYR 2.02

$0.46 MYR 1.83

$0.59 MYR 2.33

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

$41.9K MYR 166.3K

$34.9K MYR 138.6K

$41.9K MYR 166.3K

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

$37.5K MYR 148.8K

$28.1K MYR 111.6K

$37.5K MYR 148.8K

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

$57.1 MYR 226

$39.37 MYR 156

$74.8 MYR 297

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

$9.31 MYR 36.93

$6.01 MYR 23.83

$14.43 MYR 57.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.85 MYR 118

$23.88 MYR 94.7

$35.82 MYR 142

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.7 MYR 256

$35.06 MYR 139

$117 MYR 463

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.79 MYR 22.97

$3.48 MYR 13.80

$5.79 MYR 22.97

Cinema Ticket

$4.18 MYR 16.57

$3.71 MYR 14.73

$6.97 MYR 27.62

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

$121 MYR 479

$81.8 MYR 324

$164 MYR 648

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,933 MYR 27.5K

$3,467 MYR 13.7K

$11.1K MYR 44.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.3 MYR 243

$30.09 MYR 119

$92.6 MYR 367

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.41 MYR 132

$20.58 MYR 81.6

$46.23 MYR 183

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.1 MYR 309

$60.0 MYR 238

$96.1 MYR 381

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.8 MYR 344

$34.72 MYR 138

$139 MYR 551

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$209 MYR 830

$140 MYR 553

$349 MYR 1,383

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$153 MYR 606

$120 MYR 475

$216 MYR 856

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$465 MYR 1,845

$429 MYR 1,703

$596 MYR 2,365

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$321 MYR 1,272

$285 MYR 1,131

$356 MYR 1,413

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,779 MYR 7,054

$1,678 MYR 6,654

$1,880 MYR 7,454

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,201 MYR 4,762

$993 MYR 3,937

$1,409 MYR 5,587

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 MYR 2,474

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: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $209 for a central one-bedroom, or $153 outside the center. At 34% of the average salary ($624), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $624, while typical expenses reach $784. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $223 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $18.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $15.56 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 92% of cities in Asia

Local beer is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Bintulu Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.

A single person in Bintulu typically spends $784 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $590. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Bintulu come to around $784 including rent, or roughly $590 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Around $1,176 take-home puts you in a comfortable spot in Bintulu – enough for rent, food, bills, and a bit of savings. Drop below that and you'll probably need to share a flat, stick to cooking at home, or pick a neighborhood further out.

Where you live in Bintulu makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $209; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $153. Overall, the market runs from $153 to $209 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

Fitness in Bintulu is cheap at around $64.7 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.

Bintulu is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $223, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.

$800 stretches far in Bintulu – all-in monthly costs average only $784. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Bintulu draws remote workers with fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $784 per month all-in, the price-to-lifestyle ratio is hard to beat. A growing international community makes networking and social life easy for newcomers.

Monthly expenses in Bintulu run around $784, so putting money aside takes more than $1,176 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.