Cost of Living in Butterworth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $500 (excluding rent), and $869 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,283 (excluding rent), and $1,785 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.02 MYR 12.46

$2.33 MYR 9.61

$6.98 MYR 28.79

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.14 MYR 87.2

$16.44 MYR 67.9

$46.98 MYR 194

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.74 MYR 19.54

$4.24 MYR 17.51

$4.74 MYR 19.54

Cappuccino

$2.82 MYR 11.64

$1.37 MYR 5.66

$3.44 MYR 14.21

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

$0.69 MYR 2.85

$0.46 MYR 1.89

$1.61 MYR 6.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 MYR 1.4

$0.23 MYR 0.96

$0.91 MYR 3.75

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.35 MYR 17.95

$1.94 MYR 8

$6.04 MYR 24.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.5 MYR 18.57

$1.92 MYR 7.94

$5.28 MYR 21.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 MYR 7.74

$1.43 MYR 5.9

$2.39 MYR 9.87

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 MYR 4.05

$0.57 MYR 2.37

$1.18 MYR 4.85

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 MYR 6.77

$0.57 MYR 2.36

$2.39 MYR 9.86

Eggs

$2.05 MYR 8.46

$1.14 MYR 4.69

$3.32 MYR 13.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 MYR 59.6

$7 MYR 28.88

$32.89 MYR 136

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.74 MYR 19.55

$2.41 MYR 9.94

$7.22 MYR 29.78

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.43 MYR 38.93

$4.13 MYR 17.04

$13.77 MYR 56.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.9 MYR 11.98

$1.44 MYR 5.93

$3.84 MYR 15.85

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 MYR 6

$0.92 MYR 3.81

$2.32 MYR 9.57

Oranges (1kg)

$2.58 MYR 10.66

$1.15 MYR 4.75

$3.52 MYR 14.52

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 MYR 6.3

$0.53 MYR 2.2

$3.86 MYR 15.94

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.74

$0.51 MYR 2.12

$2.08 MYR 8.58

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MYR 5.02

$0.73 MYR 2.99

$2.65 MYR 10.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 MYR 3.67

$0.33 MYR 1.38

$1.81 MYR 7.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 MYR 1.85

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.68 MYR 2.79

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 MYR 17.61

$4.13 MYR 17.03

$4.51 MYR 18.61

Wine (Bottle)

$16.79 MYR 69.3

$8.4 MYR 34.65

$30.71 MYR 127

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 MYR 11.31

$1.94 MYR 8.01

$4.35 MYR 17.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 MYR 14.47

$2.4 MYR 9.9

$6.94 MYR 28.65

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.81

$0.45 MYR 1.86

$0.9 MYR 3.73

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.68 MYR 48.19

$9.35 MYR 38.58

$11.68 MYR 48.19

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.73 MYR 3.02

$2.43 MYR 10.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.51 MYR 2.1

$0.21 MYR 0.89

$1.31 MYR 5.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.58 MYR 18.88

$3.44 MYR 14.19

$6.87 MYR 28.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.07

$0.49 MYR 2.02

$0.73 MYR 3.02

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

$33.9K MYR 139.8K

$28.5K MYR 117.7K

$42.8K MYR 176.5K

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

$27.2K MYR 112.4K

$26.9K MYR 110.9K

$34.6K MYR 142.7K

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

$38.86 MYR 160

$23.69 MYR 97.8

$94.8 MYR 391

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

$10.22 MYR 42.16

$5.94 MYR 24.51

$23.77 MYR 98.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.48 MYR 105

$22.51 MYR 92.9

$39.81 MYR 164

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.8 MYR 152

$19.96 MYR 82.4

$46.98 MYR 194

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.82 MYR 24

$3.5 MYR 14.43

$5.82 MYR 24

Cinema Ticket

$4.94 MYR 20.37

$3.53 MYR 14.57

$8.23 MYR 33.95

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

$234 MYR 965

$139 MYR 573

$463 MYR 1,911

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,312 MYR 26.1K

$3,600 MYR 14.9K

$25.5K MYR 105.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 MYR 224

$23.39 MYR 96.5

$93.6 MYR 386

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.5 MYR 118

$16.29 MYR 67.2

$58.2 MYR 240

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.6 MYR 254

$40.3 MYR 166

$119 MYR 489

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.3 MYR 220

$35.72 MYR 147

$119 MYR 491

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$390 MYR 1,608

$237 MYR 979

$439 MYR 1,812

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 MYR 1,103

$140 MYR 579

$300 MYR 1,240

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$637 MYR 2,630

$443 MYR 1,827

$1,025 MYR 4,232

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$469 MYR 1,934

$281 MYR 1,160

$656 MYR 2,707

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,810 MYR 7,472

$1,236 MYR 5,099

$1,913 MYR 7,895

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,231 MYR 5,081

$603 MYR 2,487

$1,394 MYR 5,752

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$959 MYR 3,957

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

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

Last update: November 22, 2025

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.