Cost of Living in Kuching - Updated Prices & Insights

35.36

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $528 (excluding rent), and $777 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,241 (excluding rent), and $1,658 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.77 MYR 11.68

$2.31 MYR 9.74

$3.92 MYR 16.54

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.88 MYR 83.8

$12.86 MYR 54.2

$58.5 MYR 247

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.61 MYR 19.44

Cappuccino

$2.49 MYR 10.48

$1.17 MYR 4.93

$3.97 MYR 16.75

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

$0.7 MYR 2.94

$0.56 MYR 2.37

$0.78 MYR 3.3

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.3 MYR 1.26

$0.23 MYR 0.98

$0.45 MYR 1.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.78 MYR 11.73

$1.6 MYR 6.76

$6.49 MYR 27.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 MYR 15.55

$2.86 MYR 12.06

$4.28 MYR 18.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 MYR 8.37

$1.57 MYR 6.64

$2.43 MYR 10.24

White Bread (500g)

$1.13 MYR 4.77

$0.96 MYR 4.04

$1.56 MYR 6.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 MYR 4.28

$0.62 MYR 2.63

$1.38 MYR 5.8

Eggs

$2.17 MYR 9.16

$1.58 MYR 6.66

$2.79 MYR 11.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.74 MYR 41.05

$6.06 MYR 25.53

$24.23 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.88 MYR 16.36

$2.87 MYR 12.12

$5.27 MYR 22.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.16 MYR 34.42

$5.49 MYR 23.15

$18.61 MYR 78.5

Apples (1kg)

$3.08 MYR 13

$2.38 MYR 10.06

$4.28 MYR 18.07

Banana (1kg)

$1.1 MYR 4.63

$0.69 MYR 2.91

$1.6 MYR 6.76

Oranges (1kg)

$2.62 MYR 11.04

$1.91 MYR 8.05

$4.35 MYR 18.36

Tomato (1kg)

$1.76 MYR 7.42

$1.28 MYR 5.39

$2.78 MYR 11.73

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.9

$0.73 MYR 3.08

$2.16 MYR 9.11

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 MYR 5.19

$0.72 MYR 3.05

$1.92 MYR 8.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.7 MYR 7.16

$0.93 MYR 3.91

$3.02 MYR 12.73

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 MYR 2.22

$0.36 MYR 1.52

$1.22 MYR 5.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.2 MYR 17.71

$4.18 MYR 17.63

$4.67 MYR 19.67

Wine (Bottle)

$18 MYR 75.9

$12 MYR 50.6

$36 MYR 152

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.88 MYR 16.37

$1.21 MYR 5.11

$4.35 MYR 18.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 MYR 14.79

$2.39 MYR 10.09

$4.3 MYR 18.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.23 MYR 0.97

$0.78 MYR 3.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.56 MYR 48.75

$6.94 MYR 29.26

$34.69 MYR 146

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.98 MYR 4.14

$0.74 MYR 3.12

$1.23 MYR 5.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.1 MYR 4.64

$0.88 MYR 3.72

$1.32 MYR 5.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.87 MYR 7.9

$3.51 MYR 14.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.93

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

$45.6K MYR 192.3K

$43.8K MYR 184.8K

$47.4K MYR 199.8K

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

$36.1K MYR 152K

$34.7K MYR 146.5K

$36.1K MYR 152K

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

$41.77 MYR 176

$23.74 MYR 100

$55.3 MYR 233

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

$8.94 MYR 37.72

$4.67 MYR 19.67

$11.2 MYR 47.24

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.53 MYR 108

$18.54 MYR 78.2

$35.18 MYR 148

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.7 MYR 125

$17.82 MYR 75.2

$42.76 MYR 180

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.7 MYR 40.92

$5.82 MYR 24.54

$11.64 MYR 49.08

Cinema Ticket

$4.63 MYR 19.5

$4.16 MYR 17.56

$4.63 MYR 19.5

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

$146 MYR 615

$96 MYR 405

$235 MYR 992

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,124 MYR 25.8K

$4,741 MYR 20K

$8,059 MYR 34K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.7 MYR 281

$47.95 MYR 202

$88.5 MYR 373

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.3 MYR 132

$11.55 MYR 48.69

$69.1 MYR 291

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.7 MYR 366

$71.4 MYR 301

$95 MYR 400

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.1 MYR 304

$23.64 MYR 99.7

$94.6 MYR 399

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,157

$202 MYR 852

$427 MYR 1,802

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$205 MYR 865

$142 MYR 599

$320 MYR 1,348

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$569 MYR 2,399

$356 MYR 1,499

$948 MYR 3,999

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$382 MYR 1,611

$234 MYR 987

$655 MYR 2,762

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,017 MYR 8,506

$1,537 MYR 6,483

$2,441 MYR 10.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,323 MYR 5,578

$955 MYR 4,029

$1,559 MYR 6,575

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$581 MYR 2,448

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.27

4.5

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

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.