Cost of Living in Butterworth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $546 (excluding rent), and $855 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,248 (excluding rent), and $1,746 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.12 MYR 13.17

$2.41 MYR 10.16

$7.22 MYR 30.43

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.55 MYR 90.9

$16.77 MYR 70.7

$47.9 MYR 202

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.68 MYR 19.72

$4.19 MYR 17.67

$4.68 MYR 19.72

Cappuccino

$2.88 MYR 12.15

$1.4 MYR 5.91

$3.52 MYR 14.83

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

$0.73 MYR 3.09

$0.49 MYR 2.05

$1.71 MYR 7.19

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.53

$0.25 MYR 1.05

$0.97 MYR 4.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.26 MYR 17.95

$1.9 MYR 8

$5.91 MYR 24.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.53 MYR 19.1

$1.94 MYR 8.17

$5.32 MYR 22.42

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 MYR 7.72

$1.4 MYR 5.88

$2.34 MYR 9.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 MYR 4.31

$0.6 MYR 2.52

$1.22 MYR 5.16

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.73 MYR 7.28

$0.6 MYR 2.54

$2.51 MYR 10.6

Eggs

$2.07 MYR 8.71

$1.15 MYR 4.84

$3.35 MYR 14.13

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.7 MYR 62

$7.12 MYR 30.01

$33.45 MYR 141

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.51 MYR 19.04

$2.3 MYR 9.68

$6.88 MYR 29.01

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.57 MYR 40.38

$4.19 MYR 17.67

$13.97 MYR 58.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.8 MYR 11.8

$1.38 MYR 5.84

$3.7 MYR 15.61

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 6.17

$0.93 MYR 3.92

$2.33 MYR 9.83

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 MYR 11.44

$1.21 MYR 5.09

$3.7 MYR 15.59

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 MYR 6.44

$0.53 MYR 2.25

$3.86 MYR 16.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 MYR 4.95

$0.53 MYR 2.22

$2.13 MYR 8.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 5.11

$0.72 MYR 3.05

$2.64 MYR 11.12

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 MYR 3.84

$0.34 MYR 1.45

$1.85 MYR 7.81

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 2.03

$0.25 MYR 1.04

$0.73 MYR 3.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.2 MYR 17.73

$4.06 MYR 17.14

$4.44 MYR 18.73

Wine (Bottle)

$14.04 MYR 59.2

$4.21 MYR 17.75

$28.07 MYR 118

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 MYR 11.47

$1.93 MYR 8.12

$4.32 MYR 18.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 MYR 14.7

$2.38 MYR 10.06

$6.9 MYR 29.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 3.07

$0.48 MYR 2.03

$0.96 MYR 4.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.7 MYR 53.6

$10.17 MYR 42.88

$12.7 MYR 53.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.7 MYR 2.94

$2.32 MYR 9.78

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 MYR 2.26

$0.23 MYR 0.96

$1.38 MYR 5.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.69 MYR 19.76

$3.52 MYR 14.85

$7.03 MYR 29.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.1

$0.49 MYR 2.06

$0.73 MYR 3.07

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

$34.1K MYR 143.9K

$28.7K MYR 121.2K

$43.1K MYR 181.8K

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

$27.3K MYR 114.9K

$26.9K MYR 113.4K

$34.6K MYR 146K

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

$38.25 MYR 161

$23.32 MYR 98.3

$93.3 MYR 393

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

$10.17 MYR 42.87

$5.91 MYR 24.93

$23.66 MYR 99.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.22 MYR 106

$22.28 MYR 93.9

$39.41 MYR 166

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.98 MYR 135

$17.35 MYR 73.2

$40.83 MYR 172

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.84 MYR 24.62

$3.51 MYR 14.79

$5.84 MYR 24.62

Cinema Ticket

$4.83 MYR 20.35

$3.45 MYR 14.55

$8.04 MYR 33.92

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

$234 MYR 985

$139 MYR 585

$462 MYR 1,950

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,286 MYR 26.5K

$3,585 MYR 15.1K

$25.4K MYR 107K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55 MYR 232

$23.64 MYR 99.7

$94.5 MYR 399

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.54 MYR 120

$16.31 MYR 68.8

$58.2 MYR 246

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.3 MYR 254

$39.39 MYR 166

$116 MYR 489

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.6 MYR 226

$35.91 MYR 151

$120 MYR 505

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$418 MYR 1,764

$255 MYR 1,075

$471 MYR 1,988

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,154

$144 MYR 605

$307 MYR 1,296

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$741 MYR 3,123

$515 MYR 2,170

$1,192 MYR 5,026

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$451 MYR 1,901

$270 MYR 1,140

$631 MYR 2,661

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,730 MYR 7,294

$1,345 MYR 5,673

$2,019 MYR 8,514

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,067 MYR 4,500

$725 MYR 3,056

$1,221 MYR 5,150

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$902 MYR 3,803

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

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

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.