Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuching and Johor Bahru Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuching and Johor Bahru

😐 Solo nomad: Kuching is 4.6% more expensive than Johor Bahru without rent, and 17.8% cheaper with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Kuching is 5.7% more expensive than Johor Bahru without rent, and 7.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.89 MYR 11.42
$3.50 MYR 13.83
-17.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.78 MYR 78.2
$19.14 MYR 75.6
3.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.76 MYR 18.81
$4.73 MYR 18.67
0.63%
Cappuccino
$2.45 MYR 9.69
$3.02 MYR 11.93
-18.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 MYR 2.77
$0.78 MYR 3.08
-10.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 MYR 1.17
$0.48 MYR 1.91
-37.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.90 MYR 11.44
$3.50 MYR 13.83
-17.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 MYR 14.21
$6.75 MYR 26.68
-46.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.87 MYR 7.40
$1.87 MYR 7.37
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.12 MYR 4.43
$0.96 MYR 3.77
16.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.02 MYR 4.05
$1.30 MYR 5.14
-21.54%
Eggs
$2.19 MYR 8.65
$1.84 MYR 7.26
19.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.74 MYR 38.47
$10.48 MYR 41.42
-7.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.85 MYR 15.23
$3.41 MYR 13.45
12.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.02 MYR 31.69
$8.02 MYR 31.68
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.99 MYR 11.80
$2.78 MYR 11.00
7.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.10 MYR 4.36
$1.52 MYR 6.02
-27.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.53 MYR 10.00
$2.47 MYR 9.77
2.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.82 MYR 7.18
$1.24 MYR 4.91
46.77%
Potato (1kg)
$1.12 MYR 4.42
$1.18 MYR 4.68
-5.08%
Onion (1kg)
$1.24 MYR 4.92
$1.40 MYR 5.53
-11.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.68 MYR 6.62
$0.96 MYR 3.78
75.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 MYR 1.93
$0.51 MYR 2.03
-3.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19 MYR 16.56
$4.18 MYR 16.51
0.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.67 MYR 85.6
$14.68 MYR 58.0
47.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.88 MYR 15.34
$2.66 MYR 10.50
45.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49 MYR 13.77
$3.03 MYR 11.96
15.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 MYR 0.99
$0.72 MYR 2.85
-65.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.85 MYR 46.82
$11.70 MYR 46.22
1.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.93 MYR 3.67
$0.98 MYR 3.88
-5.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.10 MYR 4.34
$1.03 MYR 4.07
6.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.95 MYR 7.69
$9.31 MYR 36.77
-79.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.49 MYR 1.95
$0.46 MYR 1.80
6.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.7K MYR 180.7K
$35.5K MYR 140.3K
28.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.0K MYR 146.0K
$28.3K MYR 111.7K
30.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.74 MYR 165
$41.48 MYR 164
0.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.98 MYR 35.46
$9.13 MYR 36.07
-1.64%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.04 MYR 98.9
$30.95 MYR 122
-19.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.52 MYR 117
$35.11 MYR 139
-15.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.91 MYR 39.14
$6.05 MYR 23.90
63.80%
Cinema Ticket
$4.60 MYR 18.17
$5.08 MYR 20.08
-9.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$140 MYR 555
$187 MYR 740
-25.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,993 MYR 23.7K
$6,960 MYR 27.5K
-13.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 MYR 264
$49.99 MYR 197
33.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.50 MYR 124
$19.17 MYR 75.7
64.32%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.4 MYR 333
$54.3 MYR 215
55.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.2 MYR 281
$39.45 MYR 156
80.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$283 MYR 1,117
$468 MYR 1,849
-39.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$207 MYR 819
$404 MYR 1,597
-48.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$559 MYR 2,207
$827 MYR 3,267
-32.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$390 MYR 1,542
$606 MYR 2,395
-35.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,168 MYR 8,565
$2,142 MYR 8,459
1.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,569 MYR 6,196
$1,192 MYR 4,709
31.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuching
Johor Bahru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$546 MYR 2,159
$1,153 MYR 4,553
-52.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.27
4.07
4.91%

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

Last update for Kuching: March 2, 2026

Last update for Johor Bahru: March 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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