Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $578 (excluding rent), and $864 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,494 (excluding rent), and $1,813 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.55 MYR 14.42

$2.84 MYR 11.53

$5.21 MYR 21.15

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.72 MYR 76.0

$14.04 MYR 57.0

$35.10 MYR 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.62 MYR 18.78

$3.70 MYR 15.03

$6.94 MYR 28.18

Cappuccino

$2.60 MYR 10.55

$1.87 MYR 7.58

$3.02 MYR 12.27

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

$0.64 MYR 2.58

$0.45 MYR 1.81

$0.89 MYR 3.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 MYR 1.61

$0.27 MYR 1.10

$0.49 MYR 1.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.40 MYR 9.72

$3.04 MYR 12.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 MYR 13.95

$3.20 MYR 13.01

$5.83 MYR 23.65

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 MYR 6.85

$1.51 MYR 6.13

$3.62 MYR 14.71

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 MYR 4.87

$1.04 MYR 4.23

$1.28 MYR 5.19

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 MYR 6.83

$0.63 MYR 2.56

$3.71 MYR 15.07

Eggs

$2.92 MYR 11.84

$1.44 MYR 5.86

$5.21 MYR 21.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.22 MYR 106

$3.58 MYR 14.54

$26.22 MYR 106

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.57 MYR 14.51

$2.87 MYR 11.63

$5.01 MYR 20.35

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.21 MYR 29.29

$3.99 MYR 16.20

$10.59 MYR 42.98

Apples (1kg)

$2.53 MYR 10.26

$2.07 MYR 8.40

$3.22 MYR 13.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.72

$0.95 MYR 3.86

$1.42 MYR 5.78

Oranges (1kg)

$3.16 MYR 12.81

$1.85 MYR 7.52

$5.77 MYR 23.44

Tomato (1kg)

$2.02 MYR 8.19

$1.45 MYR 5.89

$2.43 MYR 9.86

Potato (1kg)

$1.51 MYR 6.12

$1.19 MYR 4.85

$2.15 MYR 8.71

Onion (1kg)

$1.72 MYR 6.97

$1.17 MYR 4.75

$2.34 MYR 9.50

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 MYR 4.35

$0.92 MYR 3.72

$1.37 MYR 5.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 1.93

$0.34 MYR 1.38

$0.69 MYR 2.80

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.10 MYR 16.66

$3.70 MYR 15.04

$5.87 MYR 23.82

Wine (Bottle)

$19.44 MYR 78.9

$15.80 MYR 64.1

$36.45 MYR 148

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 MYR 7.56

$1.39 MYR 5.64

$2.32 MYR 9.44

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 MYR 6.59

$4.63 MYR 18.80

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.57 MYR 6.39

$1.21 MYR 4.93

$1.95 MYR 7.90

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.90 MYR 166

$9.41 MYR 38.20

$40.90 MYR 166

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 MYR 7.54

$0.70 MYR 2.83

$1.86 MYR 7.54

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.44 MYR 1.78

$0.21 MYR 0.87

$0.65 MYR 2.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.78 MYR 23.48

$4.63 MYR 18.78

$6.94 MYR 28.19

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.89

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

$29.6K MYR 120.3K

$28.4K MYR 115.5K

$30.8K MYR 125.1K

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

$27.3K MYR 110.8K

$17.4K MYR 70.7K

$37.2K MYR 150.9K

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

$52.5 MYR 213

$21.61 MYR 87.7

$87.9 MYR 357

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

$9.04 MYR 36.70

$4.68 MYR 19.02

$9.38 MYR 38.08

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.02 MYR 134

$17.07 MYR 69.3

$51.0 MYR 207

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.82 MYR 174

$9.34 MYR 37.94

$51.4 MYR 209

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.99 MYR 12.14

$1.20 MYR 4.85

$4.77 MYR 19.38

Cinema Ticket

$4.78 MYR 19.42

$4.13 MYR 16.75

$6.06 MYR 24.60

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

$129 MYR 522

$116 MYR 471

$151 MYR 612

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,463 MYR 18.1K

$3,053 MYR 12.4K

$5,637 MYR 22.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.7 MYR 242

$35.47 MYR 144

$95.6 MYR 388

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.57 MYR 91.6

$14.02 MYR 56.9

$35.04 MYR 142

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.7 MYR 291

$42.79 MYR 174

$167 MYR 679

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.7 MYR 385

$47.37 MYR 192

$142 MYR 577

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$376 MYR 1,526

$282 MYR 1,145

$705 MYR 2,862

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$165 MYR 669

$118 MYR 478

$235 MYR 955

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$653 MYR 2,653

$525 MYR 2,130

$1,192 MYR 4,841

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$372 MYR 1,509

$214 MYR 871

$834 MYR 3,386

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,848 MYR 7,502

$1,390 MYR 5,643

$2,077 MYR 8,431

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,092 MYR 4,434

$980 MYR 3,980

$1,395 MYR 5,662

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$580 MYR 2,356

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: January 11, 2026

Kota Kinabalu Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

220

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.