Cost of Living in Kuala Terengganu - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $696 monthly including rent, or $494 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,142 with rent, or $916 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,588 including rent, or $1,339 for daily expenses alone.

Kuala Terengganu sits 44–48% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are well below average (31% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.41 MYR 9.88

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.12 MYR 90.5

$16.30 MYR 66.7

$27.93 MYR 114

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.58 MYR 18.73

$4.33 MYR 17.73

$4.81 MYR 19.69

Cappuccino

$2.92 MYR 11.97

$1.66 MYR 6.81

$3.57 MYR 14.61

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

$0.48 MYR 1.96

$0.47 MYR 1.92

$0.49 MYR 2.01

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MYR 1.11

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.29 MYR 1.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.60 MYR 14.72

$2.63 MYR 10.77

$7.18 MYR 29.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.00 MYR 20.46

$3.58 MYR 14.63

$7.14 MYR 29.23

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 MYR 6.34

$1.43 MYR 5.84

$1.67 MYR 6.83

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 MYR 3.91

$0.69 MYR 2.83

$1.91 MYR 7.83

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 MYR 5.35

$0.61 MYR 2.49

$2.43 MYR 9.94

Eggs

$2.12 MYR 8.68

$1.15 MYR 4.69

$2.76 MYR 11.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.02 MYR 61.5

$3.53 MYR 14.46

$24.74 MYR 101

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.43 MYR 18.13

$2.88 MYR 11.77

$6.69 MYR 27.36

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.49 MYR 38.82

$4.27 MYR 17.46

$15.68 MYR 64.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.90 MYR 11.86

$1.64 MYR 6.70

$4.21 MYR 17.21

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 MYR 6.16

$0.72 MYR 2.93

$1.91 MYR 7.81

Oranges (1kg)

$2.52 MYR 10.31

$1.22 MYR 4.97

$4.19 MYR 17.15

Tomato (1kg)

$1.42 MYR 5.82

$0.71 MYR 2.89

$2.38 MYR 9.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.82

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$2.30 MYR 9.41

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.20

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$2.31 MYR 9.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 MYR 4.23

$0.72 MYR 2.94

$1.72 MYR 7.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.15

$0.34 MYR 1.39

$0.69 MYR 2.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.31 MYR 17.62

$3.60 MYR 14.71

$5.15 MYR 21.07

Wine (Bottle)

$18.63 MYR 76.2

$12.01 MYR 49.16

$19.22 MYR 78.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.83 MYR 11.60

$1.69 MYR 6.92

$3.41 MYR 13.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 MYR 12.34

$1.81 MYR 7.41

$4.82 MYR 19.71

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 MYR 3.02

$0.49 MYR 2.00

$0.98 MYR 4.00

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.55 MYR 47.25

$9.24 MYR 37.83

$11.55 MYR 47.25

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.72

$0.69 MYR 2.84

$1.38 MYR 5.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 MYR 4.02

$0.65 MYR 2.67

$1.30 MYR 5.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.96 MYR 24.40

$4.77 MYR 19.51

$7.16 MYR 29.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 MYR 2.02

$0.50 MYR 2.06

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

$34.9K MYR 142.7K

$38.3K MYR 156.9K

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

$31.3K MYR 128.2K

$28.2K MYR 115.4K

$34.8K MYR 142.4K

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

$43.18 MYR 177

$23.36 MYR 95.6

$70.7 MYR 289

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

$8.96 MYR 36.65

$5.78 MYR 23.64

$13.87 MYR 56.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.00 MYR 119

$22.56 MYR 92.3

$39.92 MYR 163

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.41 MYR 153

$20.29 MYR 83.1

$47.76 MYR 195

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.73 MYR 23.46

$3.45 MYR 14.10

$5.73 MYR 23.46

Cinema Ticket

$4.85 MYR 19.83

$3.93 MYR 16.07

$5.77 MYR 23.60

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

$187 MYR 763

$117 MYR 480

$258 MYR 1,055

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,827 MYR 27.9K

$3,491 MYR 14.3K

$11.2K MYR 45.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.3 MYR 251

$35.67 MYR 146

$83.2 MYR 341

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.14 MYR 111

$15.21 MYR 62.2

$43.86 MYR 180

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.5 MYR 301

$37.94 MYR 155

$94.8 MYR 388

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.8 MYR 208

$29.50 MYR 121

$106 MYR 435

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 MYR 821

$94.4 MYR 386

$307 MYR 1,255

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$116 MYR 474

$69.5 MYR 285

$162 MYR 664

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$648 MYR 2,653

$450 MYR 1,843

$1,043 MYR 4,269

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$273 MYR 1,116

$190 MYR 777

$356 MYR 1,456

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,050 MYR 8,388

$1,364 MYR 5,582

$2,050 MYR 8,388

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,138 MYR 4,656

$773 MYR 3,163

$1,300 MYR 5,320

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$490 MYR 2,004

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: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $200 for a central one-bedroom, or $116 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($490), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $490, while typical expenses reach $696. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $249 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $22.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $11.55 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 94% of cities in Asia

Local beer is more expensive than 92% of cities in Asia

Kuala Terengganu Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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 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.

All in, Kuala Terengganu runs about $696 monthly with rent, or $494 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Kuala Terengganu come to around $696 including rent, or roughly $494 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Around $1,044 take-home puts you in a comfortable spot in Kuala Terengganu – enough for rent, food, bills, and a bit of savings. Drop below that and you'll probably need to share a flat, stick to cooking at home, or pick a neighborhood further out.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Kuala Terengganu range from $116 to $200, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Kuala Terengganu runs about $11.55, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

Groceries in Kuala Terengganu cost around $249 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.

$1,200 stretches far in Kuala Terengganu – all-in monthly costs average only $696. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Kuala Terengganu draws remote workers with fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $696 per month all-in, the price-to-lifestyle ratio is hard to beat. A growing international community makes networking and social life easy for newcomers.

Monthly expenses in Kuala Terengganu run around $696, so putting money aside takes more than $1,044 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.