Cost of Living in Kuching - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $534 (excluding rent), and $791 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,207 (excluding rent), and $1,622 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.89 MYR 11.72

$2.41 MYR 9.77

$4.09 MYR 16.61

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.39 MYR 82.8

$13.20 MYR 53.6

$60.0 MYR 244

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.82 MYR 19.55

Cappuccino

$2.45 MYR 9.96

$1.15 MYR 4.68

$3.92 MYR 15.91

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

$0.75 MYR 3.05

$0.61 MYR 2.47

$0.84 MYR 3.43

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 MYR 1.22

$0.23 MYR 0.94

$0.45 MYR 1.84

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.77 MYR 11.26

$1.60 MYR 6.49

$6.47 MYR 26.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 MYR 14.99

$2.86 MYR 11.62

$4.29 MYR 17.41

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 MYR 7.75

$1.51 MYR 6.15

$2.33 MYR 9.48

White Bread (500g)

$1.12 MYR 4.55

$0.95 MYR 3.85

$1.54 MYR 6.27

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.06 MYR 4.30

$0.65 MYR 2.65

$1.44 MYR 5.83

Eggs

$2.24 MYR 9.10

$1.63 MYR 6.62

$2.88 MYR 11.70

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.49 MYR 38.52

$5.90 MYR 23.96

$23.61 MYR 95.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.75 MYR 15.21

$2.78 MYR 11.27

$5.09 MYR 20.67

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.15 MYR 33.10

$5.48 MYR 22.26

$18.59 MYR 75.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.97 MYR 12.07

$2.30 MYR 9.34

$4.13 MYR 16.78

Banana (1kg)

$1.14 MYR 4.65

$0.72 MYR 2.92

$1.67 MYR 6.78

Oranges (1kg)

$2.58 MYR 10.49

$1.88 MYR 7.65

$4.29 MYR 17.43

Tomato (1kg)

$1.82 MYR 7.38

$1.32 MYR 5.36

$2.87 MYR 11.67

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.66

$0.72 MYR 2.93

$2.13 MYR 8.66

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 MYR 5.01

$0.72 MYR 2.94

$1.93 MYR 7.83

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 MYR 7.16

$0.96 MYR 3.91

$3.14 MYR 12.74

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 MYR 2.00

$0.34 MYR 1.37

$1.14 MYR 4.63

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.14 MYR 16.80

$4.12 MYR 16.73

$4.60 MYR 18.67

Wine (Bottle)

$19.30 MYR 78.4

$14.48 MYR 58.8

$24.13 MYR 98.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.69 MYR 14.97

$1.15 MYR 4.67

$4.13 MYR 16.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 MYR 13.92

$2.34 MYR 9.49

$4.20 MYR 17.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.86 MYR 3.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.82 MYR 47.98

$7.09 MYR 28.80

$35.47 MYR 144

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.97 MYR 3.93

$0.73 MYR 2.97

$1.22 MYR 4.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.09 MYR 4.41

$0.87 MYR 3.55

$1.30 MYR 5.28

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.87 MYR 7.58

$3.50 MYR 14.21

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 2.04

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

$46.1K MYR 187.0K

$44.3K MYR 179.7K

$47.9K MYR 194.3K

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

$36.2K MYR 146.8K

$34.8K MYR 141.5K

$36.2K MYR 146.8K

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

$40.95 MYR 166

$23.27 MYR 94.5

$54.2 MYR 220

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

$9.21 MYR 37.40

$4.81 MYR 19.51

$11.54 MYR 46.85

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.22 MYR 102

$18.31 MYR 74.4

$34.75 MYR 141

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.30 MYR 119

$17.58 MYR 71.4

$42.19 MYR 171

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.80 MYR 39.80

$5.88 MYR 23.87

$11.76 MYR 47.75

Cinema Ticket

$4.58 MYR 18.61

$4.13 MYR 16.75

$4.58 MYR 18.61

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

$141 MYR 572

$92.8 MYR 377

$227 MYR 923

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,166 MYR 25.0K

$4,774 MYR 19.4K

$8,115 MYR 32.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.8 MYR 263

$46.59 MYR 189

$86.0 MYR 349

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.43 MYR 128

$11.60 MYR 47.08

$69.4 MYR 282

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.7 MYR 352

$71.4 MYR 290

$95.0 MYR 385

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.5 MYR 294

$23.79 MYR 96.6

$95.1 MYR 386

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$281 MYR 1,142

$207 MYR 842

$438 MYR 1,780

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$204 MYR 827

$141 MYR 572

$317 MYR 1,288

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$561 MYR 2,276

$350 MYR 1,422

$934 MYR 3,793

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$380 MYR 1,543

$233 MYR 945

$651 MYR 2,645

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,054 MYR 8,340

$1,957 MYR 7,947

$2,107 MYR 8,554

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,526 MYR 6,195

$1,425 MYR 5,786

$1,618 MYR 6,571

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$588 MYR 2,387

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.27

4.5

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Kuching Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

224

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 Kuching - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Kuching tends to be more affordable than in larger Malaysian cities, with a relaxed vibe that suits travelers and longer stays. The cost gap shows up in housing choices, from simple apartments near the river to modern units in busier corridors, but even central locations stay reasonable by regional standards. Daily needs, street-food lunches, and groceries offer good value, and you can manage transport by walking, cycling, or limited rideshares. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods in a week to balance convenience with price before committing.

Navigating housing, groceries, and transit in Kuching can be straightforward with a few strategies. Start by listing neighborhoods by vibe: riverside paths and historic streets for walkable living, or broader suburbs for more space. Look for furnished options with flexible terms and check for utilities included. For food, you’ll find abundant markets, cafe menus, and affordable local eats close to residential pockets. For transport, a mix of walking, short rideshares, and occasional taxi work well; bike-friendly routes are growing. Kuching living cost varies by area and lifestyle. Tip: map out a 1-hour radius from work or coworking to compare daily commutes, and use slow, steady trials to find your best balance between comfort and cost.

Quality of life in Kuching can feel comfortable for many budgets if you plan around local rhythms. Create a simple budgeting framework: track essentials (housing, utilities, groceries, transport) and set a cushion for occasional splurges. Seasonality affects leisure choices more than daily costs – wet season can reshape outdoor plans, while festivals add unique experiences and markets. Choose a neighborhood that matches your pace, whether you want cafe culture near Padungan-like streets or quieter riverside pockets. Practical savings come from cooking at home, buying fresh produce at markets, and using public transit or bike sharing for short trips. Tip: start with a one-month test of a few neighborhoods before committing long-term.