Cost of Living in Bukit Mertajam - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $671 (excluding rent), and $679 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,197 (excluding rent), and $1,847 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 MYR 8

$4.83 MYR 19.94

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.4 MYR 84.2

$13.45 MYR 55.5

$60 MYR 248

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.87 MYR 15.95

$3.63 MYR 14.98

$4.83 MYR 19.93

Cappuccino

$2.25 MYR 9.3

$1.87 MYR 7.71

$2.8 MYR 11.54

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

$0.73 MYR 3

$0.48 MYR 1.98

$1.21 MYR 4.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 MYR 1.38

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.45 MYR 1.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.14 MYR 12.95

$1.94 MYR 8

$13.29 MYR 54.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 MYR 18.95

$1.84 MYR 7.6

$7.35 MYR 30.34

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 MYR 6.99

$2.16 MYR 8.89

White Bread (500g)

$1.08 MYR 4.47

$0.79 MYR 3.25

$1.62 MYR 6.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.62 MYR 2.55

$2.96 MYR 12.23

Eggs

$1.82 MYR 7.53

$1.29 MYR 5.32

$2.76 MYR 11.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.65 MYR 93.5

$4.76 MYR 19.66

$35.76 MYR 148

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.92 MYR 20.29

$3.56 MYR 14.69

$6.16 MYR 25.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.45 MYR 43.13

$4.18 MYR 17.24

$16.72 MYR 69

Apples (1kg)

$3.96 MYR 16.36

$2.84 MYR 11.72

$4.73 MYR 19.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.7 MYR 7.02

$1.61 MYR 6.65

$1.85 MYR 7.62

Oranges (1kg)

$3.32 MYR 13.7

$2.08 MYR 8.59

$4.63 MYR 19.09

Tomato (1kg)

$2.64 MYR 10.91

$0.48 MYR 1.98

$4.81 MYR 19.84

Potato (1kg)

$1.78 MYR 7.34

$0.48 MYR 2

$2.43 MYR 10.02

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 MYR 4.16

$0.46 MYR 1.92

$1.63 MYR 6.73

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 MYR 4.59

$0.72 MYR 2.96

$1.19 MYR 4.92

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.37 MYR 1.52

$0.74 MYR 3.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.21 MYR 17.38

$4.02 MYR 16.6

$7.02 MYR 28.98

Wine (Bottle)

$30.4 MYR 125

$24.32 MYR 100

$36.48 MYR 151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.37 MYR 18.04

$1.19 MYR 4.93

$5.96 MYR 24.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63 MYR 10.86

$7.19 MYR 29.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.83

$0.45 MYR 1.87

$0.91 MYR 3.75

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.96 MYR 49.35

$9.57 MYR 39.5

$11.96 MYR 49.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 MYR 4.83

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.13 MYR 4.68

$0.91 MYR 3.76

$1.36 MYR 5.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.19 MYR 17.27

$2.3 MYR 9.48

$6.08 MYR 25.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.9

$0.49 MYR 2.02

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

$43.7K MYR 180.5K

$40.3K MYR 166.2K

$47.2K MYR 194.9K

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

$31.7K MYR 130.7K

$28.5K MYR 117.7K

$33.2K MYR 137.1K

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

$27.07 MYR 112

$155 MYR 641

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

$9.78 MYR 40.38

$9.49 MYR 39.17

$10.68 MYR 44.07

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.91 MYR 119

$23.99 MYR 99

$47.99 MYR 198

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.1 MYR 153

$20.13 MYR 83.1

$47.36 MYR 195

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.83 MYR 24.08

$3.51 MYR 14.47

$5.83 MYR 24.08

Cinema Ticket

$4.28 MYR 17.66

$5.94 MYR 24.53

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

$118 MYR 488

$94.7 MYR 391

$142 MYR 586

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,240 MYR 17.5K

$3,469 MYR 14.3K

$4,625 MYR 19.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.92 MYR 49.21

$119 MYR 492

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.3 MYR 257

$18.48 MYR 76.3

$116 MYR 477

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.23 MYR 95.9

$86.8 MYR 358

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80 MYR 330

$47.98 MYR 198

$120 MYR 495

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$392 MYR 1,618

$239 MYR 985

$442 MYR 1,823

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$57.8 MYR 238

$297 MYR 1,226

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$647 MYR 2,670

$449 MYR 1,855

$1,041 MYR 4,296

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$469 MYR 1,935

$281 MYR 1,161

$656 MYR 2,709

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$947 MYR 3,910

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.96

2.75

5.39

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Bukit Mertajam - Frequently Asked Questions

Bukit Mertajam offers a comfortable balance between affordability and quality compared with larger urban centers in Malaysia and Penang. You can expect affordable but pleasant housing in several neighborhoods, and a rich street-food scene and markets that help daily meals stay budget-friendly. Utilities, internet, and general services are reliable without the urban premium seen in big cities. The pace is calmer, which suits families, remote workers, and long-term travelers who want lower living costs without sacrificing access to amenities. Cost of Living in Bukit Mertajam captures this value-driven mix. Tip: Budget by grouping errands, walk where possible, and mix hawker meals with home cooking to stretch your stay.

Daily life in Bukit Mertajam centers on practical convenience. Housing options range from quiet, leafy streets to newer developments within easy reach of markets and schools. You’ll find affordable meals at hawker centers and local eateries, plus reliable supermarkets for weekly groceries. Transport works well with bus routes, ride-hailing, and riding a scooter or car; traffic remains manageable and parking easier than in major metro areas. For errands and work, community spaces, libraries, and small coworking hubs are accessible from most neighborhoods. Bukit Mertajam living cost stays approachable if you plan around local rhythms. Tip: Align your week with market days to stock up on fresh produce.

For a solid quality of life, frame your budget around three anchors: housing, groceries, and transport. In Bukit Mertajam, you can find neighborhoods that fit different vibes – from quiet residential streets to central, transit-accessible areas – without paying premium urban rents. Seasonality affects outdoor plans more than prices, so plan indoor activities during heavier monsoon periods. A neighborhood fit means easy access to markets, green spaces, and coworking options that suit your working style. Practical saving strategies include cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and using public transport or bicycles for short trips. Tip: map out a simple monthly budget with flexible categories to adapt to changing plans.