Cost of Living in Kemaman - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $965 per month with rent, or $540 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,381 per month with rent, or $991 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,797 per month with rent, or $1,443 without housing.

Overall, Kemaman is 30–39% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 12% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.67 MYR 10.78
$2.42 MYR 9.79
$4.85 MYR 19.59
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.05 MYR 60.8
$15.05 MYR 60.8
$37.62 MYR 152
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.37 MYR 17.65
$3.89 MYR 15.71
$4.85 MYR 19.63
Cappuccino
$3.04 MYR 12.28
$1.95 MYR 7.89
$3.67 MYR 14.83
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 MYR 2.09
$0.52 MYR 2.09
$1.28 MYR 5.18
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 MYR 1.56
$0.26 MYR 1.05
$0.64 MYR 2.61
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 MYR 13.70
$3.00 MYR 12.15
$7.27 MYR 29.41
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.80 MYR 23.46
$4.94 MYR 19.99
$7.42 MYR 29.98
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 MYR 7.88
$1.24 MYR 5.02
$2.50 MYR 10.13
White Bread (500g)
$1.02 MYR 4.12
$0.73 MYR 2.93
$3.16 MYR 12.77
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 MYR 4.09
$0.89 MYR 3.60
$2.54 MYR 10.26
Eggs
$1.16 MYR 4.67
$1.16 MYR 4.67
$2.88 MYR 11.66
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.03 MYR 40.54
$7.53 MYR 30.44
$15.05 MYR 60.8
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.23 MYR 13.08
$1.94 MYR 7.85
$4.13 MYR 16.68
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.71 MYR 39.25
$3.48 MYR 14.07
$16.44 MYR 66.5
Apples (1kg)
$3.58 MYR 14.48
$1.77 MYR 7.14
$5.03 MYR 20.34
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 MYR 7.57
$1.21 MYR 4.89
$2.06 MYR 8.32
Oranges (1kg)
$2.67 MYR 10.79
$1.46 MYR 5.89
$2.90 MYR 11.74
Tomato (1kg)
$1.82 MYR 7.37
$1.00 MYR 4.05
$3.39 MYR 13.72
Potato (1kg)
$2.10 MYR 8.50
$0.97 MYR 3.93
$2.92 MYR 11.79
Onion (1kg)
$1.96 MYR 7.93
$0.49 MYR 1.96
$2.62 MYR 10.60
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 MYR 5.81
$0.72 MYR 2.90
$1.92 MYR 7.77
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 MYR 2.08
$0.51 MYR 2.08
$0.76 MYR 3.08
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.66 MYR 18.83
$4.53 MYR 18.30
$5.03 MYR 20.35
Wine (Bottle)
$19.50 MYR 78.9
$16.35 MYR 66.1
$25.17 MYR 102
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66 MYR 10.74
$1.93 MYR 7.79
$3.13 MYR 12.67
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66 MYR 18.84
$1.75 MYR 7.08
$5.48 MYR 22.17
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.83 MYR 3.34
$0.52 MYR 2.12
$0.97 MYR 3.93
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.17 MYR 45.16
$11.17 MYR 45.16
$11.17 MYR 45.16
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.21 MYR 4.90
$0.85 MYR 3.44
$1.21 MYR 4.90
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 MYR 1.45
$0.24 MYR 0.98
$0.48 MYR 1.96
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.34 MYR 37.76
$9.34 MYR 37.76
$9.34 MYR 37.76
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.53 MYR 2.14
$0.53 MYR 2.14
$0.99 MYR 4.02
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.5K MYR 171.9K
$42.5K MYR 171.9K
$42.5K MYR 171.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K MYR 131.2K
$32.5K MYR 131.2K
$35.3K MYR 142.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$49.68 MYR 201
$24.70 MYR 99.9
$75.3 MYR 305
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.48 MYR 34.29
$5.05 MYR 20.42
$25.24 MYR 102
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.60 MYR 112
$23.64 MYR 95.6
$37.72 MYR 153
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.53 MYR 164
$24.57 MYR 99.3
$49.13 MYR 199
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.91 MYR 27.95
$1.29 MYR 5.20
$6.91 MYR 27.95
Cinema Ticket
$4.84 MYR 19.55
$3.63 MYR 14.66
$6.04 MYR 24.44
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$123 MYR 495
$123 MYR 495
$368 MYR 1,486
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K MYR 42.3K
$7,357 MYR 29.7K
$12.3K MYR 49.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6 MYR 213
$50.1 MYR 202
$55.1 MYR 223
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.75 MYR 124
$12.60 MYR 50.9
$37.81 MYR 153
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.9 MYR 323
$63.1 MYR 255
$101 MYR 407
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.7 MYR 346
$61.3 MYR 248
$98.0 MYR 396
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$422 MYR 1,707
$292 MYR 1,181
$545 MYR 2,205
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$379 MYR 1,534
$227 MYR 918
$426 MYR 1,721
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$725 MYR 2,931
$538 MYR 2,174
$1,027 MYR 4,154
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$519 MYR 2,098
$363 MYR 1,469
$714 MYR 2,885
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,210 MYR 8,937
$1,441 MYR 5,824
$2,210 MYR 8,937
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,080 MYR 4,365
$760 MYR 3,072
$1,367 MYR 5,528
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.51
4.02
5

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

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $246 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $15.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $11.17 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $34.00).

Cost Highlights

Imported beer is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is cheaper than 94% of cities in Asia

Kemaman Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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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Cost of Living in Kemaman - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kemaman stack up in terms of affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Kemaman offers a straightforward budget with room to roam. Cost of Living in Kemaman, Malaysia tends to be gentler than big-city hubs, especially for housing and daily meals. You will find simple, clean guesthouses and modest apartments, plus family-run eateries serving fresh, affordable dishes. Local markets let you stock up on produce without premium prices. Weekend getaways to the coast or quiet parks provide low-cost leisure. For longer stays, consider neighborhoods a little outside the center to reduce costs while keeping convenience. Tip: Start with a short, refundable trial stay to gauge costs and pace.
What does daily life look like in Kemaman in terms of housing, food options, transport, and workspaces?
In Kemaman, housing comes in modest apartments near town centers and along the coast, with smaller studios offering good base options. Food is diverse and affordable, from hawker stalls to seafood eateries, helping you keep daily meals predictable. For transport, reliable bus routes exist, taxis are common, and a car or scooter rental works well for weekend coastal trips. Co-working spaces are mostly cafes with steady Wi-Fi, so you'll want a place with reliable internet. Overall Kemaman living cost stays moderate, supporting a simple, comfortable routine. Tip: Map neighborhoods by pace and proximity to markets to minimize daily commutes.
What budgeting framework and neighborhood fit help maximize quality of life in Kemaman, considering seasonality and lifestyle?
For a balanced stay, pick a neighborhood that fits your pace – Chukai for everyday conveniences, or the coast for quieter mornings and seafood; choose based on how you want to blend work and downtime. Budgeting wise, prioritize flexible categories: housing, groceries/food, and transport; cook at home several nights a week to cut restaurant costs and explore local markets for seasonal produce. Embrace a lean schedule and use time-saving routines like planning grocery runs with a coop or market trips. Seasonality matters: the tropical climate means more outdoor activity in dry months; plan indoor work or remote work during heavy rains. Tip: set a weekly budget envelope for discretionary treats and errands to keep spending in check.
How much does it cost to live in Kemaman per month?
Plan for roughly $965 a month in Kemaman if you're renting, or around $540 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.
What makes Kemaman a budget-friendly city to live in?
Kemaman is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $965, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Kemaman?
You'll want at least $1,448 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Kemaman. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is the average rent for an apartment in Kemaman?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Kemaman runs about $422 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $379. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Kemaman?
Groceries in Kemaman are cheap – a single person spends about $246 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a monthly transit pass in Kemaman?
Public transport in Kemaman costs about $11.17 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Kemaman?
$1,000 a month in Kemaman? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $965, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What makes Kemaman attractive for remote workers?
Kemaman has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet, low crime rates, clean air. At around $965 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
Is Kemaman a cheap city to live in?
Kemaman is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $965 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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