Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $633 (excluding rent), and $843 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,276 (excluding rent), and $1,855 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.48 MYR 14.36

$2.78 MYR 11.48

$5.1 MYR 21.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.55 MYR 76.5

$13.91 MYR 57.4

$34.79 MYR 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.85 MYR 20.01

$3.88 MYR 16.02

$7.28 MYR 30.04

Cappuccino

$2.59 MYR 10.7

$1.86 MYR 7.69

$3.02 MYR 12.44

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 MYR 2.68

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$0.91 MYR 3.76

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 MYR 1.64

$0.27 MYR 1.12

$0.49 MYR 2.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 MYR 9.58

$2.95 MYR 12.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 MYR 14.96

$3.38 MYR 13.94

$6.15 MYR 25.35

Milk (1 liter)

$1.67 MYR 6.87

$1.49 MYR 6.15

$3.58 MYR 14.75

White Bread (500g)

$1.2 MYR 4.95

$1.04 MYR 4.3

$1.28 MYR 5.27

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 6.88

$0.62 MYR 2.57

$3.68 MYR 15.16

Eggs

$2.91 MYR 12.01

$1.44 MYR 5.94

$5.2 MYR 21.45

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.34 MYR 109

$3.6 MYR 14.83

$26.34 MYR 109

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.44 MYR 14.21

$2.76 MYR 11.39

$4.83 MYR 19.92

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.42 MYR 30.6

$4.1 MYR 16.93

$10.89 MYR 44.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 MYR 10.8

$2.14 MYR 8.84

$3.34 MYR 13.77

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.66

$0.92 MYR 3.81

$1.39 MYR 5.72

Oranges (1kg)

$3.27 MYR 13.47

$1.92 MYR 7.91

$5.97 MYR 24.64

Tomato (1kg)

$1.92 MYR 7.93

$1.38 MYR 5.71

$2.32 MYR 9.55

Potato (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 6.01

$1.15 MYR 4.76

$2.07 MYR 8.56

Onion (1kg)

$1.72 MYR 7.08

$1.17 MYR 4.83

$2.34 MYR 9.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 MYR 4.5

$0.93 MYR 3.84

$1.4 MYR 5.76

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.5 MYR 2.06

$0.36 MYR 1.47

$0.72 MYR 2.99

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 MYR 16.62

$3.64 MYR 15

$5.76 MYR 23.76

Wine (Bottle)

$19.37 MYR 79.9

$15.74 MYR 64.9

$36.32 MYR 150

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 MYR 7.65

$1.38 MYR 5.71

$2.32 MYR 9.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 MYR 6.61

$4.58 MYR 18.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.57 MYR 6.49

$1.21 MYR 5

$1.94 MYR 8.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.78 MYR 172

$9.61 MYR 39.65

$41.78 MYR 172

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.84 MYR 7.6

$0.69 MYR 2.86

$1.84 MYR 7.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 MYR 1.92

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.69 MYR 2.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.03 MYR 24.87

$4.82 MYR 19.89

$7.24 MYR 29.85

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.9

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30K MYR 123.6K

$28.8K MYR 118.6K

$31.2K MYR 128.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28K MYR 115.5K

$17.9K MYR 73.7K

$38.1K MYR 157.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$50.9 MYR 210

$20.97 MYR 86.5

$85.3 MYR 352

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.23 MYR 38.08

$4.78 MYR 19.73

$9.58 MYR 39.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.78 MYR 135

$16.95 MYR 69.9

$50.6 MYR 209

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.48 MYR 175

$9.27 MYR 38.24

$51 MYR 210

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.92 MYR 12.06

$1.17 MYR 4.83

$4.67 MYR 19.26

Cinema Ticket

$4.72 MYR 19.46

$4.07 MYR 16.78

$5.98 MYR 24.65

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$133 MYR 549

$120 MYR 495

$156 MYR 643

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,469 MYR 18.4K

$3,058 MYR 12.6K

$5,645 MYR 23.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.5 MYR 245

$35.38 MYR 146

$95.3 MYR 393

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.46 MYR 92.6

$13.95 MYR 57.5

$34.86 MYR 144

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72 MYR 297

$42.96 MYR 177

$168 MYR 693

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.2 MYR 388

$47.09 MYR 194

$141 MYR 583

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$372 MYR 1,535

$279 MYR 1,151

$698 MYR 2,878

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$164 MYR 677

$117 MYR 483

$234 MYR 967

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$634 MYR 2,615

$509 MYR 2,100

$1,157 MYR 4,772

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$362 MYR 1,493

$209 MYR 861

$812 MYR 3,349

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,379 MYR 5,690

$1,280 MYR 5,279

$1,484 MYR 6,123

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,143 MYR 4,716

$942 MYR 3,886

$1,340 MYR 5,529

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$569 MYR 2,349

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.8

4.5

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger hubs in the region, Kota Kinabalu tends to feel more affordable for everyday life, especially if you favor local eateries, grocery stores, and shorter commutes. You will find a range of housing options, from modest apartments near the waterfront to family-friendly units inland, with prices that typically suit a budget-conscious traveler or expat. For work needs, reliable internet and a growing number of coworking spaces support remote work without the high rents of urban giants. Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia sets a practical baseline for planning your stay and evaluating other destinations. Tip: Start with a flexible base to test neighborhoods before committing.

Day-to-day life revolves around a few steady pivots: choosing a walkable neighborhood, pacing your meals with local groceries and street food, and selecting a comfortable spot to work. Housing search benefits from starting in central areas near the Jesselton Point waterfront or in quieter inland pockets, then expanding to nearby towns as needed. Food options range from casual eateries to markets offering fresh produce. For transport, you can rely on buses, taxis, ride-hailing, or a scooter depending on distance. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia living cost patterns encourage budgeting around meals, utilities, and internet access. Tip: Sign up for short-term stays first to gauge commute times and neighborhood vibe.

Quality of life in Kota Kinabalu tends to favor outdoor activity and a slower pace, with mountain and sea escapes close by. For budgeting, adopt a simple framework: categorize expenses into housing, food, transport, and personal costs, then set flexible targets that adapt with seasons. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and choosing public transit or bikes for short hops. Neighborhood fit depends on your routine: waterfront strolls near the city center suit you if you value cafes and coworking; inland areas may offer quieter mornings and lower rents. Tip: join expat or digital nomad groups to swap up-to-date neighborhood tips.