Last update: Oct 2026 Malaysia 215.6K

Cost of Living in Kemaman

For one person, living costs in Kemaman are estimated at $877 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $18 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kemaman

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

A single person spends around $877 per month with rent, or $561 for everyday expenses alone.

$877 /mo

A couple spends around $1,352 per month with rent, or $903 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,352 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,827 per month with rent, or $1,246 without housing.

$1,827 /mo

Overall, Kemaman is about 35% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 17% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Kemaman? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.62 MYR 10.70
$2.39 MYR 9.74
$4.78 MYR 19.48
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.65 MYR 59.8
$14.65 MYR 59.8
$36.62 MYR 149
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.38 MYR 17.89
$3.90 MYR 15.90
$4.87 MYR 19.87
Cappuccino
$3.01 MYR 12.29
$1.94 MYR 7.92
$3.64 MYR 14.83
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 MYR 2.08
$0.51 MYR 2.08
$1.27 MYR 5.17
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 MYR 1.44
$0.23 MYR 0.93
$0.58 MYR 2.37
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.21 MYR 13.10
$2.86 MYR 11.67
$6.91 MYR 28.18
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.79 MYR 23.61
$4.93 MYR 20.12
$7.39 MYR 30.14
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 MYR 7.70
$1.21 MYR 4.95
$2.43 MYR 9.93
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 MYR 4.14
$0.72 MYR 2.93
$3.13 MYR 12.77
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.96 MYR 3.92
$0.84 MYR 3.44
$2.40 MYR 9.79
Eggs
$1.14 MYR 4.64
$1.14 MYR 4.64
$2.86 MYR 11.67
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.82 MYR 40.04
$7.36 MYR 30.02
$14.73 MYR 60.1
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.28 MYR 13.39
$1.97 MYR 8.05
$4.19 MYR 17.09
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.63 MYR 39.27
$3.44 MYR 14.05
$16.30 MYR 66.5
Apples (1kg)
$3.53 MYR 14.41
$1.73 MYR 7.06
$4.96 MYR 20.23
Banana (1kg)
$1.88 MYR 7.66
$1.21 MYR 4.92
$2.06 MYR 8.39
Oranges (1kg)
$2.66 MYR 10.86
$1.45 MYR 5.93
$2.91 MYR 11.86
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 MYR 7.05
$0.95 MYR 3.88
$3.20 MYR 13.06
Potato (1kg)
$2.15 MYR 8.78
$1.00 MYR 4.06
$2.99 MYR 12.18
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 MYR 8.23
$0.49 MYR 2.02
$2.69 MYR 10.99
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.43 MYR 5.82
$0.71 MYR 2.91
$1.92 MYR 7.81
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 MYR 1.95
$0.48 MYR 1.95
$0.71 MYR 2.90
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.66 MYR 18.99
$4.53 MYR 18.49
$5.04 MYR 20.55
Wine (Bottle)
$19.79 MYR 80.8
$18.56 MYR 75.7
$24.75 MYR 101
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.72 MYR 11.08
$1.98 MYR 8.07
$3.21 MYR 13.10
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 MYR 18.79
$3.95 MYR 16.12
$5.43 MYR 22.17
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.73 MYR 2.98
$0.47 MYR 1.92
$0.86 MYR 3.51
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.09 MYR 49.32
$9.67 MYR 39.45
$12.09 MYR 49.32
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.23 MYR 5.02
$0.87 MYR 3.54
$1.23 MYR 5.02
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 MYR 1.56
$0.25 MYR 1.01
$0.51 MYR 2.07
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.88 MYR 36.22
$8.88 MYR 36.22
$8.88 MYR 36.22
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.52 MYR 2.14
$0.52 MYR 2.14
$1.18 MYR 4.79
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.1K MYR 171.6K
$42.1K MYR 171.6K
$42.1K MYR 171.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K MYR 134.4K
$32.9K MYR 134.4K
$35.8K MYR 146.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$48.98 MYR 200
$24.35 MYR 99.3
$74.3 MYR 303
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.30 MYR 33.87
$4.95 MYR 20.19
$24.73 MYR 101
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.03 MYR 110
$23.15 MYR 94.4
$36.94 MYR 151
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.79 MYR 170
$19.18 MYR 78.3
$46.03 MYR 188
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.05 MYR 28.75
$1.22 MYR 4.98
$7.05 MYR 28.75
Cinema Ticket
$4.87 MYR 19.88
$3.65 MYR 14.89
$6.09 MYR 24.83
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$124 MYR 507
$124 MYR 507
$373 MYR 1,520
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.4K MYR 42.5K
$7,332 MYR 29.9K
$12.2K MYR 49.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5 MYR 210
$49.02 MYR 200
$53.9 MYR 220
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.07 MYR 123
$12.33 MYR 50.3
$36.98 MYR 151
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.7 MYR 313
$60.7 MYR 247
$96.8 MYR 395
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.5 MYR 349
$61.1 MYR 249
$97.7 MYR 399
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$450 MYR 1,837
$273 MYR 1,115
$574 MYR 2,341
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$267 MYR 1,090
$173 MYR 705
$312 MYR 1,273
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$772 MYR 3,148
$585 MYR 2,385
$1,125 MYR 4,591
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$532 MYR 2,169
$349 MYR 1,425
$672 MYR 2,741
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,748 MYR 7,129
$1,115 MYR 4,547
$1,748 MYR 7,129
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,220 MYR 4,978
$882 MYR 3,600
$1,558 MYR 6,357
💵 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: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Kemaman $877
Accommodation & Living
$267
Groceries & Markets
$245
Clothing & Footwear
$110
Eating Out
$101
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$84
Sport & Entertainment
$52
Getting Around
$18

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $245 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 $12.09 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33.00).

Cost Highlights

Imported beer is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is cheaper than 93% of cities in Asia

Good to know
🕒 Local time
07:25 7:25 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
215,582
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MYR – Malaysian Ringgit Converter

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 4.08 MYR (1 MYR = 0.245 USD). 1 EUR = 4.59 MYR (1 MYR = 0.218 EUR).

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Kemaman Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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 $877 a month in Kemaman if you're renting, or around $561 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.
Does Kemaman offer good value for money?
Kemaman is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $877. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Kemaman?
You'll want at least $1,315 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 $450 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $267. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How much should I budget for food per month in Kemaman?
Groceries in Kemaman run about $245 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
What is a monthly transit pass in Kemaman?
Public transport in Kemaman costs about $12.09 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 $1,500 a month enough for Kemaman?
$1,500 is below the $877 average in Kemaman, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
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 $877 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 neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $877, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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