Cost of Living in Butterworth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $601 (excluding rent), and $873 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,105 (excluding rent), and $1,741 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 MYR 12.32

$2.34 MYR 9.50

$7.01 MYR 28.46

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.40 MYR 86.9

$16.64 MYR 67.6

$47.55 MYR 193

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.63 MYR 18.80

$4.15 MYR 16.84

$4.63 MYR 18.80

Cappuccino

$2.93 MYR 11.91

$1.43 MYR 5.79

$3.58 MYR 14.54

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

$0.73 MYR 2.95

$0.48 MYR 1.95

$1.69 MYR 6.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 MYR 1.35

$0.23 MYR 0.93

$0.89 MYR 3.63

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.30 MYR 17.47

$1.92 MYR 7.79

$5.98 MYR 24.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.36 MYR 17.72

$1.87 MYR 7.58

$5.13 MYR 20.81

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 MYR 7.40

$1.39 MYR 5.64

$2.32 MYR 9.44

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 MYR 4.03

$0.58 MYR 2.36

$1.19 MYR 4.83

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.65 MYR 6.70

$0.58 MYR 2.34

$2.40 MYR 9.75

Eggs

$2.06 MYR 8.37

$1.14 MYR 4.64

$3.34 MYR 13.57

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.39 MYR 58.4

$6.97 MYR 28.29

$32.75 MYR 133

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.66 MYR 18.93

$2.37 MYR 9.63

$7.10 MYR 28.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.60 MYR 38.98

$4.20 MYR 17.06

$14.01 MYR 56.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 MYR 11.29

$1.38 MYR 5.59

$3.68 MYR 14.94

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 MYR 6.06

$0.95 MYR 3.85

$2.38 MYR 9.67

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 MYR 11.00

$1.21 MYR 4.90

$3.69 MYR 14.98

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 6.18

$0.53 MYR 2.16

$3.85 MYR 15.63

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.60

$0.51 MYR 2.06

$2.05 MYR 8.33

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 MYR 4.87

$0.72 MYR 2.91

$2.61 MYR 10.61

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 MYR 3.85

$0.36 MYR 1.45

$1.93 MYR 7.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 1.96

$0.25 MYR 1.00

$0.73 MYR 2.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.33 MYR 17.58

$4.19 MYR 17.00

$4.57 MYR 18.57

Wine (Bottle)

$18.75 MYR 76.1

$8.76 MYR 35.56

$32.01 MYR 130

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 MYR 10.79

$1.88 MYR 7.64

$4.22 MYR 17.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 MYR 13.86

$2.34 MYR 9.48

$6.76 MYR 27.44

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.81

$0.46 MYR 1.86

$0.92 MYR 3.72

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.60 MYR 47.11

$9.29 MYR 37.71

$11.60 MYR 47.11

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.73 MYR 2.95

$2.42 MYR 9.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 MYR 2.16

$0.22 MYR 0.91

$1.37 MYR 5.56

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.66 MYR 18.94

$3.51 MYR 14.23

$7.00 MYR 28.43

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$0.45 MYR 1.83

$0.67 MYR 2.72

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

$33.1K MYR 134.5K

$27.9K MYR 113.3K

$41.9K MYR 169.9K

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

$27.4K MYR 111.1K

$27.0K MYR 109.6K

$34.7K MYR 141.1K

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

$38.24 MYR 155

$23.32 MYR 94.7

$93.3 MYR 379

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

$10.06 MYR 40.86

$5.85 MYR 23.76

$23.42 MYR 95.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.34 MYR 103

$22.38 MYR 90.9

$39.60 MYR 161

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.51 MYR 152

$20.35 MYR 82.6

$47.89 MYR 194

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.96 MYR 24.18

$3.58 MYR 14.53

$5.96 MYR 24.18

Cinema Ticket

$5.02 MYR 20.37

$3.59 MYR 14.57

$8.36 MYR 33.94

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

$234 MYR 949

$139 MYR 564

$463 MYR 1,880

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,297 MYR 25.6K

$3,591 MYR 14.6K

$25.4K MYR 103.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.4 MYR 225

$23.83 MYR 96.8

$95.3 MYR 387

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.79 MYR 117

$16.46 MYR 66.8

$58.8 MYR 239

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.5 MYR 246

$39.55 MYR 161

$116 MYR 472

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.2 MYR 212

$34.96 MYR 142

$117 MYR 473

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$383 MYR 1,553

$233 MYR 946

$431 MYR 1,750

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,111

$144 MYR 583

$307 MYR 1,248

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 MYR 2,666

$456 MYR 1,853

$1,057 MYR 4,290

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MYR 1,901

$281 MYR 1,141

$656 MYR 2,662

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,588 MYR 6,446

$1,183 MYR 4,803

$1,975 MYR 8,017

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$951 MYR 3,861

$621 MYR 2,522

$1,426 MYR 5,790

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$957 MYR 3,884

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Butterworth Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

230

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 Butterworth - Frequently Asked Questions

Butterworth tends to offer solid value for those prioritizing long stays and careful budgeting. You’ll usually find more space for your money than in busier neighboring hubs, and basic services remain affordable if you opt for local options over imported brands. Cost of Living in Butterworth covers essentials like groceries, transit, and dining, with most daily needs accessible at reasonable prices. Personal style matters here: you can skimp on luxuries or splurge on seafood nights depending on where you shop and how you move around. Overall, the balance tilts in favor of steady value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who plan ahead. Tip: test a few neighborhoods with short stays before committing long-term.

Daily life in Butterworth is approachable for a range of budgets. Housing options span compact apartments near the center to more affordable terraces inland, with options that suit different work styles and family needs. Food is plentiful in hawker centers and markets, where you can feed yourself well without overspending. Transport leans on ferries to Penang, reliable local buses, and ride-hailing, which keeps commute flexibility without a premium. For work, you’ll find basic wifi in many cafes and a few coworking spaces to plug in. Shopping and errands run smoothly at local markets and malls. Butterworth living cost varies by neighborhood, so explore before you settle. Tip: map your weekly routes to cut back on trips.

Quality of life here hinges on pacing, community, and how you budget around tropical weather. A simple framework helps: separate essential needs from discretionary wants, assign weekly caps to dining out, and lean on home-cooked meals when you can. Seasonality matters less for temperature than for rain patterns; plan outdoor activities and travel around wetter periods. Neighborhood fit is about access – proximity to ferry terminals for Penang, markets for fresh produce, and quiet spots for work or downtime. Embrace flexible living: shorter leases, shared housing, and culturally rich neighborhoods often offer the best balance of convenience and immersion. Tip: join local expat or hobby groups to learn cost-saving shortcuts and hidden gems.