Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sousse and Sibu

For one person, living is cheaper in Sousse: $779 a month against $866 in Sibu, rent and utilities included – about $1,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Sibu outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Sousse
🇹🇳 Tunisia
$779
/mo nomad
Sibu
🇲🇾 Malaysia
$866
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sousse and in Sibu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sousse and in Sibu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $779 in Sousse versus $866 in Sibu.

  • Sousse $779
  • Sibu $866

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,261 in Sousse versus $1,293 in Sibu.

  • Sousse $1,261
  • Sibu $1,293

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,743 in Sousse versus $1,720 in Sibu.

  • Sousse $1,743
  • Sibu $1,720

Living in Sousse costs roughly 10% less than in Sibu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities sit below the global median: Sousse 43% lower, Sibu 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.90 TND 14.67
$2.16 MYR 8.82
126.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.60 TND 70.7
$19.47 MYR 79.4
21.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.75 TND 20.22
$4.21 MYR 17.18
60.33%
Cappuccino
$1.10 TND 3.29
$2.38 MYR 9.70
-53.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 TND 2.19
$0.67 MYR 2.74
8.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 TND 1.12
$0.23 MYR 0.93
65.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 TND 5.14
$2.92 MYR 11.92
-41.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 TND 4.98
$4.40 MYR 17.96
-62.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.44 TND 1.32
$1.80 MYR 7.33
-75.56%
White Bread (500g)
$0.13 TND 0.40
$0.89 MYR 3.65
-85.39%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.24 TND 3.71
$1.67 MYR 6.80
-25.75%
Eggs
$1.61 TND 4.82
$2.24 MYR 9.16
-28.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.70 TND 41.05
$11.65 MYR 47.53
17.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.80 TND 17.37
$3.84 MYR 15.66
51.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.98 TND 41.87
$9.69 MYR 39.55
44.27%
Apples (1kg)
$2.02 TND 6.05
$3.72 MYR 15.16
-45.70%
Banana (1kg)
$3.49 TND 10.46
$1.53 MYR 6.26
128.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.02 TND 3.07
$2.34 MYR 9.55
-56.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.69 TND 2.06
$1.38 MYR 5.62
-50.00%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 TND 2.62
$1.12 MYR 4.58
-22.32%
Onion (1kg)
$0.69 TND 2.05
$1.30 MYR 5.29
-46.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.43 TND 1.30
$1.17 MYR 4.76
-63.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33 TND 0.97
$0.54 MYR 2.22
-38.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.76 TND 11.25
$4.53 MYR 18.48
-17.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.98 TND 17.90
$18.28 MYR 74.6
-67.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03 TND 3.08
$2.85 MYR 11.64
-63.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13 TND 3.39
$4.51 MYR 18.38
-74.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 TND 0.99
$0.83 MYR 3.40
-60.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.88 TND 29.60
$13.85 MYR 56.5
-28.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.34 TND 1.03
$1.40 MYR 5.70
-75.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 TND 2.08
$0.54 MYR 2.18
27.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.00 TND 11.98
$8.01 MYR 32.68
-50.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 TND 2.43
$0.80 MYR 3.28
1.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.3K TND 120.6K
$49.1K MYR 200.3K
-18.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8K TND 110.1K
$35.6K MYR 145.4K
3.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.1 TND 225
$49.59 MYR 202
51.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68 TND 40.97
$7.14 MYR 29.14
91.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.58 TND 58.6
$26.47 MYR 108
-26.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.10 TND 84.2
$26.94 MYR 110
4.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30 TND 78.8
$6.44 MYR 26.26
308.39%
Cinema Ticket
$6.54 TND 19.59
$3.74 MYR 15.24
74.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$92.6 TND 277
$181 MYR 739
-48.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,228 TND 9,667
$6,906 MYR 28.2K
-53.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6 TND 158
$55.4 MYR 226
-5.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.9 TND 212
$30.48 MYR 124
132.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$149 TND 447
$89.2 MYR 364
67.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.4 TND 298
$75.2 MYR 307
32.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$241 TND 721
$340 MYR 1,386
-29.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$161 TND 483
$282 MYR 1,150
-42.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$512 TND 1,533
$597 MYR 2,437
-14.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$346 TND 1,037
$451 MYR 1,841
-23.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$978 TND 2,929
$1,782 MYR 7,272
-45.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$621 TND 1,859
$966 MYR 3,941
-35.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sousse
Sibu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$380 TND 1,139
$496 MYR 2,021
-23.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.4
4.06
180.79%

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

Last update for Sousse: October 20, 2026

Last update for Sibu: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Sousse
$197
Sibu
$247 25.4% $50
Clothing & Footwear
Sousse
$167
Sibu
$113 32.7% $55
Accommodation & Living
Sousse
$161
Sibu
$282 75% $121
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sousse
$108
Sibu
$83 23.2% $25
Eating Out
Sousse
$89
Sibu
$85 3.9% $3.5
Sport & Entertainment
Sousse
$41
Sibu
$34 16.5% $6.8
Getting Around
Sousse
$15
Sibu
$21 41.6% $6.3

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $241 in Sousse and $340 in Sibu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Sibu pays 30% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $24.00 in Sousse vs $19.00 in Sibu. Groceries flip the comparison at $197 vs $247, with Sousse cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇹🇳 Sousse
🇲🇾 Sibu
🕒 Local time
11:48 11:48 AM
18:48 6:48 PM
7 h ahead of Sousse
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
221,530
198,239
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MYR, USD, EUR to TND – Tunisian Dinar Converter

Tunisian Dinar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 2.99 TND (1 TND = 0.334 USD). 1 EUR = 3.37 TND (1 TND = 0.297 EUR).

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 4.08 MYR (1 MYR = 0.245 USD). 1 EUR = 4.59 MYR (1 MYR = 0.218 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Sousse Sibu 10,870 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Sousse
  • Sibu

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Sousse vs Sibu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sousse or Sibu?
Sousse wins on cost – living expenses run 11% lower than in Sibu. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Sousse the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Sousse or in Sibu?
On paper, salaries run 30% lower in Sibu. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Sousse compared to Sibu?
Rent for a central apartment: $241 in Sousse versus $340 in Sibu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Sousse compared to Sibu?
All in, you'll spend $779 per month in Sousse versus $866 in Sibu – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Sousse compared to Sibu?
A monthly transit pass in Sousse runs roughly 40% less than in Sibu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Sousse or in Sibu?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Sousse gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Sousse or Sibu?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Sousse compared to Sibu?
Safety-wise, Sousse and Sibu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Sousse gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Sibu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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