Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu - Updated Prices & Insights

40.95

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $628 (excluding rent), and $857 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,392 (excluding rent), and $1,844 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 MYR 15.21

$2.88 MYR 12.16

$5.29 MYR 22.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.67 MYR 78.7

$14.01 MYR 59.1

$35.02 MYR 148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.67 MYR 19.69

$3.74 MYR 15.76

$7.01 MYR 29.56

Cappuccino

$2.65 MYR 11.19

$1.91 MYR 8.04

$3.09 MYR 13.02

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

$0.65 MYR 2.76

$0.46 MYR 1.93

$0.92 MYR 3.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 MYR 1.54

$0.25 MYR 1.05

$0.45 MYR 1.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 MYR 10.06

$3.03 MYR 12.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.62 MYR 15.26

$3.37 MYR 14.23

$6.13 MYR 25.87

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 MYR 7.14

$1.52 MYR 6.39

$3.64 MYR 15.33

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 MYR 5.1

$1.05 MYR 4.43

$1.29 MYR 5.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.72 MYR 7.27

$0.64 MYR 2.72

$3.8 MYR 16.02

Eggs

$2.89 MYR 12.18

$1.43 MYR 6.03

$5.16 MYR 21.75

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.61 MYR 108

$3.5 MYR 14.74

$25.61 MYR 108

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.59 MYR 15.14

$2.88 MYR 12.14

$5.04 MYR 21.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.06 MYR 29.77

$3.91 MYR 16.47

$10.36 MYR 43.69

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 MYR 11.08

$2.15 MYR 9.07

$3.35 MYR 14.12

Banana (1kg)

$1.12 MYR 4.71

$0.91 MYR 3.85

$1.37 MYR 5.77

Oranges (1kg)

$3.27 MYR 13.79

$1.92 MYR 8.09

$5.98 MYR 25.23

Tomato (1kg)

$1.9 MYR 8.03

$1.37 MYR 5.78

$2.29 MYR 9.67

Potato (1kg)

$1.53 MYR 6.46

$1.21 MYR 5.11

$2.18 MYR 9.19

Onion (1kg)

$1.7 MYR 7.15

$1.16 MYR 4.88

$2.31 MYR 9.75

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.08 MYR 4.54

$0.92 MYR 3.88

$1.38 MYR 5.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 2

$0.34 MYR 1.43

$0.69 MYR 2.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.24 MYR 17.86

$3.82 MYR 16.13

$6.06 MYR 25.54

Wine (Bottle)

$17.43 MYR 73.5

$8.13 MYR 34.3

$34.85 MYR 147

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 MYR 8.1

$1.43 MYR 6.04

$2.4 MYR 10.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 MYR 6.86

$4.64 MYR 19.58

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.55 MYR 6.52

$1.19 MYR 5.03

$1.91 MYR 8.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.3 MYR 170

$9.27 MYR 39.09

$40.3 MYR 170

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.93 MYR 8.14

$0.73 MYR 3.06

$1.93 MYR 8.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 MYR 1.97

$0.23 MYR 0.96

$0.69 MYR 2.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.1 MYR 25.74

$4.88 MYR 20.59

$7.33 MYR 30.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.97

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

$29.3K MYR 123.7K

$28.2K MYR 118.8K

$30.5K MYR 128.7K

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

$28K MYR 118.1K

$17.9K MYR 75.4K

$38.1K MYR 160.8K

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

$51.4 MYR 217

$21.16 MYR 89.3

$86.1 MYR 363

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

$9.27 MYR 39.1

$4.8 MYR 20.26

$9.62 MYR 40.57

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.9 MYR 139

$17.01 MYR 71.7

$50.8 MYR 214

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.11 MYR 182

$9.41 MYR 39.68

$51.7 MYR 218

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.89 MYR 12.2

$1.16 MYR 4.88

$4.62 MYR 19.49

Cinema Ticket

$4.67 MYR 19.71

$4.03 MYR 17

$5.92 MYR 24.97

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

$131 MYR 551

$118 MYR 496

$153 MYR 645

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,396 MYR 18.5K

$3,008 MYR 12.7K

$5,553 MYR 23.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.9 MYR 253

$35.61 MYR 150

$95.9 MYR 404

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.95 MYR 96.8

$14.25 MYR 60.1

$35.63 MYR 150

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.4 MYR 297

$42.01 MYR 177

$164 MYR 693

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.4 MYR 402

$47.69 MYR 201

$143 MYR 603

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$375 MYR 1,580

$281 MYR 1,185

$702 MYR 2,962

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$164 MYR 691

$117 MYR 494

$234 MYR 988

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$655 MYR 2,764

$526 MYR 2,219

$1,196 MYR 5,043

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$362 MYR 1,525

$209 MYR 880

$811 MYR 3,421

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,312 MYR 5,531

$1,217 MYR 5,131

$1,411 MYR 5,951

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,130 MYR 4,765

$931 MYR 3,926

$1,325 MYR 5,586

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$540 MYR 2,277

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.8

4.5

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

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.