Cost of Living in Kuala Terengganu - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $612 (excluding rent), and $711 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,151 (excluding rent), and $1,534 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.32 MYR 9.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.3 MYR 92

$16.43 MYR 67.8

$28.17 MYR 116

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.52 MYR 18.63

$4.28 MYR 17.63

$4.75 MYR 19.59

Cappuccino

$2.84 MYR 11.73

$1.62 MYR 6.67

$3.47 MYR 14.32

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

$0.47 MYR 1.96

$0.46 MYR 1.91

$0.48 MYR 2

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.27 MYR 1.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.57 MYR 14.74

$2.61 MYR 10.78

$7.14 MYR 29.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.92 MYR 20.29

$3.52 MYR 14.51

$7.03 MYR 28.98

Milk (1 liter)

$1.5 MYR 6.2

$1.39 MYR 5.72

$1.62 MYR 6.69

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 MYR 3.97

$0.7 MYR 2.88

$1.92 MYR 7.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.3 MYR 5.36

$0.6 MYR 2.49

$2.41 MYR 9.96

Eggs

$2.15 MYR 8.85

$1.16 MYR 4.79

$2.79 MYR 11.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.94 MYR 61.6

$3.51 MYR 14.49

$24.6 MYR 101

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.32 MYR 17.83

$2.81 MYR 11.57

$6.52 MYR 26.91

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.65 MYR 39.83

$4.34 MYR 17.91

$15.96 MYR 65.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.99 MYR 12.31

$1.69 MYR 6.96

$4.33 MYR 17.88

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 MYR 6.2

$0.72 MYR 2.95

$1.91 MYR 7.86

Oranges (1kg)

$2.5 MYR 10.31

$1.21 MYR 4.97

$4.16 MYR 17.14

Tomato (1kg)

$1.39 MYR 5.72

$0.69 MYR 2.84

$2.32 MYR 9.58

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 4.92

$0.46 MYR 1.91

$2.33 MYR 9.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 MYR 5.44

$0.48 MYR 1.97

$2.4 MYR 9.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$1 MYR 4.11

$0.69 MYR 2.86

$1.66 MYR 6.85

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 MYR 2.29

$0.36 MYR 1.49

$0.73 MYR 3.01

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.36 MYR 17.98

$3.64 MYR 15.01

$5.21 MYR 21.49

Wine (Bottle)

$15.84 MYR 65.3

$9.05 MYR 37.31

$18.1 MYR 74.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 MYR 11.88

$1.72 MYR 7.09

$3.47 MYR 14.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 MYR 11.91

$1.73 MYR 7.15

$4.61 MYR 19.02

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.83

$0.45 MYR 1.87

$0.91 MYR 3.74

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.75 MYR 48.47

$9.41 MYR 38.8

$11.75 MYR 48.47

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.19 MYR 4.93

$0.72 MYR 2.97

$1.43 MYR 5.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 MYR 4.23

$0.68 MYR 2.81

$1.36 MYR 5.62

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.91 MYR 24.37

$4.72 MYR 19.49

$7.09 MYR 29.25

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.07

$0.51 MYR 2.12

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

$34.7K MYR 143.2K

$38.2K MYR 157.5K

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

$31.6K MYR 130.3K

$28.5K MYR 117.4K

$35.1K MYR 144.8K

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

$44.39 MYR 183

$24.02 MYR 99.1

$72.7 MYR 300

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

$9.04 MYR 37.29

$5.83 MYR 24.05

$14 MYR 57.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.84 MYR 119

$22.44 MYR 92.6

$39.7 MYR 164

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.62 MYR 151

$19.87 MYR 82

$46.76 MYR 193

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.81 MYR 23.97

$3.49 MYR 14.41

$5.81 MYR 23.97

Cinema Ticket

$5.04 MYR 20.81

$4.09 MYR 16.86

$6 MYR 24.76

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

$184 MYR 759

$116 MYR 477

$254 MYR 1,049

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,881 MYR 28.4K

$3,519 MYR 14.5K

$11.3K MYR 46.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.6 MYR 250

$35.23 MYR 145

$82.2 MYR 339

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.78 MYR 115

$15.57 MYR 64.2

$44.91 MYR 185

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.4 MYR 303

$37.9 MYR 156

$94.7 MYR 391

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.3 MYR 212

$29.8 MYR 123

$107 MYR 443

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$201 MYR 828

$94.5 MYR 390

$307 MYR 1,266

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$120 MYR 494

$71.9 MYR 297

$168 MYR 692

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 MYR 2,711

$457 MYR 1,884

$1,058 MYR 4,362

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$266 MYR 1,098

$185 MYR 764

$347 MYR 1,433

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,788 MYR 7,377

$1,204 MYR 4,967

$1,815 MYR 7,485

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,098 MYR 4,530

$561 MYR 2,313

$1,297 MYR 5,351

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$479 MYR 1,975

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

3.6

4.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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Cost of Living in Kuala Terengganu - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia tends to be moderate relative to major urban centers in the country and many Southeast Asian coastal towns. The city offers a mix of budget guesthouses, mid-range apartments, and family homes that suit shorter visits or longer stays. Local markets and casual eateries provide affordable meals, while there are some international options in tourist areas. The pace is slower, so you often get more value per day for housing and food than in bigger hubs. Seasonal demand can shift prices modestly, but fundamentals stay friendly for a simple, comfortable life. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to feel out neighborhoods and routines.

Daily life in Kuala Terengganu blends coastal charm with budget-minded options. Housing search centers on central districts near the river, with a range from budget guesthouses to modest apartments; long-term leases are common and negotiation helps. Food is plentiful and affordable; you’ll find fresh seafood markets, Malay and Chinese stalls, and convenient supermarkets for everyday goods. Transport is flexible: local buses cover core routes, ride-hailing is reliable, and many digital nomads bike or scooter short distances. Co-working spaces exist in town and near university areas, good for occasional focused work. Errands such as banks, post offices, and pharmacies are well served. Be mindful of [location] living cost as you shortlist neighborhoods. Tip: Test several areas during a first week to gauge comfort and commute.

Quality of life in Kuala Terengganu leans on the blend of sea breezes, cultural markets, and accessible services. A practical budgeting framework is to split spending into fixed housing, variable food, transport, and leisure, then track weekly changes. Savings come from cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and choosing neighborhoods with easy access to groceries and public transport. Seasons matter; the Northeast Monsoon can affect travel to nearby islands and some outdoor activities, so plan for indoor days in peak rain periods. Neighborhood fit favors central, well-connected areas near the river or waterfront for safety and socializing. Tip: Build a simple monthly framework (housing, food, transport, and leisure) and adjust after your first 4 weeks.