Cost of Living Comparison Between Penang and Sibu Cost of Living Comparison Between Penang and Sibu

😐 Solo nomad: Penang is 17.7% more expensive than Sibu without rent, and 3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Penang is 10.9% more expensive than Sibu without rent, and 20.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.03 MYR 11.95
$2.08 MYR 8.23
45.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.49 MYR 84.9
$8.70 MYR 34.37
147.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.15 MYR 16.37
$4.05 MYR 16.00
2.47%
Cappuccino
$2.85 MYR 11.25
$2.13 MYR 8.43
33.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 MYR 2.68
$0.59 MYR 2.35
15.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 MYR 1.32
$0.23 MYR 0.90
43.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.42 MYR 17.48
$2.85 MYR 11.26
55.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33 MYR 17.09
$4.93 MYR 19.46
-12.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 MYR 7.48
$1.38 MYR 5.43
36.96%
White Bread (500g)
$1.04 MYR 4.10
$1.32 MYR 5.22
-21.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.98 MYR 7.81
$1.17 MYR 4.60
69.23%
Eggs
$2.13 MYR 8.42
$1.52 MYR 6.02
40.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.65 MYR 69.7
$15.19 MYR 60.0
16.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.99 MYR 19.72
$4.67 MYR 18.45
6.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.67 MYR 57.9
$5.82 MYR 22.98
152.06%
Apples (1kg)
$2.79 MYR 11.03
$3.10 MYR 12.25
-10.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 MYR 5.90
$1.15 MYR 4.55
29.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.70 MYR 10.68
$1.95 MYR 7.69
38.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.15 MYR 8.51
$3.64 MYR 14.37
-40.93%
Potato (1kg)
$1.19 MYR 4.72
$1.23 MYR 4.87
-3.25%
Onion (1kg)
$1.18 MYR 4.65
$2.42 MYR 9.55
-51.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 MYR 3.59
$1.00 MYR 3.95
-9.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 MYR 1.95
$1.20 MYR 4.74
-59.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15 MYR 16.39
$3.99 MYR 15.77
4.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.76 MYR 78.1
$19.35 MYR 76.4
2.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.69 MYR 10.62
$1.22 MYR 4.84
120.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49 MYR 13.78
$3.95 MYR 15.60
-11.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Penang
Sibu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.48 MYR 1.91
$0.68 MYR 2.68
-29.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.54 MYR 69.3
$11.70 MYR 46.22
49.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.74 MYR 2.94
$1.15 MYR 4.55
-35.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.54 MYR 2.15
$0.99 MYR 3.90
-45.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.14 MYR 28.21
$5.97 MYR 23.58
19.60%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.47 MYR 1.84
$0.47 MYR 1.85
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0K MYR 130.5K
$35.8K MYR 141.4K
-7.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K MYR 108.0K
$32.0K MYR 126.4K
-14.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$38.95 MYR 154
$44.01 MYR 174
-11.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.22 MYR 40.37
$5.20 MYR 20.55
96.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.73 MYR 125
$18.79 MYR 74.2
68.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.71 MYR 129
$23.41 MYR 92.5
39.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.51 MYR 21.78
$6.06 MYR 23.93
-9.08%
Cinema Ticket
$4.91 MYR 19.40
$3.09 MYR 12.22
58.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$234 MYR 925
$187 MYR 738
25.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,126 MYR 24.2K
$6,878 MYR 27.2K
-10.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.2 MYR 218
$61.6 MYR 243
-10.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.37 MYR 116
$27.86 MYR 110
5.42%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.3 MYR 238
$72.3 MYR 286
-16.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.8 MYR 205
$51.5 MYR 203
0.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Penang
Sibu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$389 MYR 1,537
$388 MYR 1,533
0.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$227 MYR 897
$267 MYR 1,056
-15.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$640 MYR 2,527
$637 MYR 2,515
0.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$526 MYR 2,078
$470 MYR 1,855
12.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,321 MYR 9,167
$1,563 MYR 6,173
48.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,188 MYR 4,691
$847 MYR 3,345
40.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Penang
Sibu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$949 MYR 3,749
$497 MYR 1,963
90.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.16
4.25
-2.12%

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

Last update for Penang: April 11, 2026

Last update for Sibu: April 12, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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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