Cost of Living in Bintulu - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $865 monthly including rent, or $707 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,330 with rent, or $1,094 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,795 including rent, or $1,480 for daily expenses alone.

Bintulu sits about 39% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 21% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.87 MYR 15.66

$2.18 MYR 8.79

$6.05 MYR 24.45

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 MYR 76.0

$16.29 MYR 65.9

$37.60 MYR 152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.07 MYR 24.54

$4.55 MYR 18.40

$7.59 MYR 30.69

Cappuccino

$2.89 MYR 11.68

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

$0.69 MYR 2.81

$0.61 MYR 2.47

$0.77 MYR 3.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 MYR 1.68

$0.31 MYR 1.26

$0.52 MYR 2.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 MYR 11.86

$2.20 MYR 8.91

$3.68 MYR 14.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.18 MYR 20.94

$4.93 MYR 19.93

$5.42 MYR 21.90

Milk (1 liter)

$2.10 MYR 8.48

$1.69 MYR 6.82

$2.66 MYR 10.76

White Bread (500g)

$1.36 MYR 5.50

$1.21 MYR 4.87

$1.69 MYR 6.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 MYR 5.41

$0.71 MYR 2.89

$2.46 MYR 9.95

Eggs

$2.27 MYR 9.17

$1.79 MYR 7.25

$2.99 MYR 12.10

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.16 MYR 69.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.54 MYR 14.33

$3.43 MYR 13.85

$3.67 MYR 14.85

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.84 MYR 23.61

$5.35 MYR 21.63

$6.32 MYR 25.55

Apples (1kg)

$1.77 MYR 7.17

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 MYR 4.14

$0.76 MYR 3.09

$1.28 MYR 5.18

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 MYR 6.88

$1.22 MYR 4.93

$2.20 MYR 8.87

Tomato (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.57

$0.73 MYR 2.94

$1.53 MYR 6.20

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 MYR 2.07

$0.47 MYR 1.92

$0.55 MYR 2.23

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.90

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.75 MYR 3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 MYR 1.66

$0.35 MYR 1.43

$0.48 MYR 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 MYR 17.31

Wine (Bottle)

$19.63 MYR 79.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.08 MYR 12.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 MYR 8.23

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.21 MYR 4.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$16.56 MYR 67.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 MYR 3.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.90 MYR 3.63

$0.76 MYR 3.09

$1.02 MYR 4.13

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.55 MYR 10.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 MYR 2.39

$0.52 MYR 2.10

$0.94 MYR 3.80

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

$44.9K MYR 181.4K

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

$40.2K MYR 162.6K

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

$61.2 MYR 247

$42.20 MYR 171

$80.2 MYR 324

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

$32.46 MYR 131

$14.98 MYR 60.6

$49.94 MYR 202

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.07 MYR 126

$24.86 MYR 101

$37.29 MYR 151

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.4 MYR 276

$37.07 MYR 150

$124 MYR 500

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.18 MYR 49.23

$4.87 MYR 19.71

$19.49 MYR 78.8

Cinema Ticket

$4.54 MYR 18.35

$4.04 MYR 16.33

$7.57 MYR 30.60

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

$126 MYR 508

$85.2 MYR 344

$170 MYR 689

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,322 MYR 29.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.3 MYR 268

$32.50 MYR 131

$100 MYR 404

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.73 MYR 144

$22.00 MYR 89.0

$49.44 MYR 200

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.3 MYR 321

$61.0 MYR 247

$97.6 MYR 395

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.0 MYR 380

$37.58 MYR 152

$150 MYR 608

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$226 MYR 914

$151 MYR 609

$377 MYR 1,523

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$158 MYR 637

$124 MYR 500

$223 MYR 900

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$476 MYR 1,926

$440 MYR 1,778

$611 MYR 2,469

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$347 MYR 1,402

$302 MYR 1,219

$503 MYR 2,032

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,726 MYR 6,980

$1,629 MYR 6,584

$1,824 MYR 7,376

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,183 MYR 4,782

$978 MYR 3,953

$1,388 MYR 5,610

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$606 MYR 2,450

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $226 for a central one-bedroom, or $158 outside the center. At 37% of the average salary ($606), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $606, while typical expenses reach $865. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $234 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $19.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $16.56 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $34.00).

Cost Highlights

Local beer is more expensive than 92% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is cheaper 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 $865 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $707. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Bintulu come to around $865 including rent, or roughly $707 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Around $1,298 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 $226; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $158. Overall, the market runs from $158 to $226 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

Fitness in Bintulu is cheap at around $68.4 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 $234, 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 $865. 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 $865 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 $865, so putting money aside takes more than $1,298 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.