Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $524 (excluding rent), and $802 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,262 (excluding rent), and $1,708 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.80 MYR 15.02

$2.14 MYR 8.45

$5.94 MYR 23.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 MYR 70.0

$15.34 MYR 60.6

$35.41 MYR 140

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.69 MYR 22.46

$4.26 MYR 16.82

$7.10 MYR 28.05

Cappuccino

$2.91 MYR 11.51

$1.21 MYR 4.80

$3.64 MYR 14.40

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

$0.61 MYR 2.43

$0.55 MYR 2.16

$0.68 MYR 2.69

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.55

$0.29 MYR 1.15

$0.49 MYR 1.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.77 MYR 10.95

$2.08 MYR 8.20

$3.47 MYR 13.70

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.81 MYR 18.99

$4.57 MYR 18.07

$5.04 MYR 19.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 MYR 7.19

$1.70 MYR 6.71

$1.94 MYR 7.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 MYR 5.19

$1.16 MYR 4.57

$1.62 MYR 6.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 MYR 5.19

$0.69 MYR 2.73

$2.40 MYR 9.49

Eggs

$2.17 MYR 8.59

$1.73 MYR 6.82

$2.88 MYR 11.36

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 MYR 64.0

$3.47 MYR 13.72

$24.32 MYR 96.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.50 MYR 13.83

$3.38 MYR 13.34

$3.61 MYR 14.27

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.61 MYR 22.15

$5.14 MYR 20.31

$6.07 MYR 23.99

Apples (1kg)

$1.69 MYR 6.67

$4.34 MYR 17.15

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 MYR 3.59

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$1.14 MYR 4.51

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 MYR 6.68

$1.21 MYR 4.78

$2.17 MYR 8.59

Tomato (1kg)

$1.12 MYR 4.42

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$1.52 MYR 6.01

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 MYR 2.07

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$0.55 MYR 2.19

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.53

$0.46 MYR 1.80

$2.29 MYR 9.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 MYR 2.86

$1.76 MYR 6.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.54

$0.33 MYR 1.32

$0.45 MYR 1.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 MYR 16.27

$3.64 MYR 14.36

$5.21 MYR 20.57

Wine (Bottle)

$18.53 MYR 73.2

$12.35 MYR 48.79

$19.75 MYR 78.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 MYR 11.01

$1.63 MYR 6.43

$3.28 MYR 12.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 MYR 7.68

$1.82 MYR 7.19

$4.85 MYR 19.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.21 MYR 4.77

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$1.21 MYR 4.77

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.85 MYR 62.6

$9.52 MYR 37.59

$15.85 MYR 62.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 MYR 3.55

$0.68 MYR 2.68

$1.35 MYR 5.33

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.94 MYR 3.72

$0.70 MYR 2.77

$1.17 MYR 4.63

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.31 MYR 9.12

$6.92 MYR 27.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.54 MYR 2.14

$0.49 MYR 1.93

$0.62 MYR 2.46

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

$41.7K MYR 164.7K

$34.7K MYR 137.3K

$41.7K MYR 164.7K

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

$37.5K MYR 148.2K

$28.1K MYR 111.2K

$37.5K MYR 148.2K

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

$57.5 MYR 227

$39.65 MYR 157

$75.3 MYR 298

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

$9.18 MYR 36.27

$5.92 MYR 23.40

$14.22 MYR 56.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.96 MYR 114

$23.17 MYR 91.5

$34.75 MYR 137

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.3 MYR 254

$34.85 MYR 138

$116 MYR 459

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.77 MYR 22.79

$3.47 MYR 13.70

$5.77 MYR 22.79

Cinema Ticket

$4.12 MYR 16.28

$3.66 MYR 14.47

$6.87 MYR 27.14

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

$119 MYR 472

$80.9 MYR 320

$162 MYR 639

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,154 MYR 28.3K

$3,577 MYR 14.1K

$11.4K MYR 45.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 MYR 249

$30.94 MYR 122

$95.2 MYR 376

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.61 MYR 133

$20.70 MYR 81.8

$46.51 MYR 184

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 MYR 305

$59.4 MYR 234

$95.0 MYR 375

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.9 MYR 355

$35.94 MYR 142

$144 MYR 568

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$215 MYR 849

$143 MYR 566

$358 MYR 1,415

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$152 MYR 600

$119 MYR 471

$215 MYR 848

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 MYR 1,845

$431 MYR 1,703

$599 MYR 2,365

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$321 MYR 1,266

$285 MYR 1,125

$356 MYR 1,407

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,817 MYR 7,176

$1,714 MYR 6,769

$1,920 MYR 7,583

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,180 MYR 4,663

$976 MYR 3,855

$1,385 MYR 5,471

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$622 MYR 2,456

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: April 13, 2026

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.