Cost of Living in Kuching - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $530 (excluding rent), and $781 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,235 (excluding rent), and $1,679 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 MYR 11.64

$2.35 MYR 9.7

$3.99 MYR 16.49

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.15 MYR 83.2

$13.04 MYR 53.8

$59.3 MYR 245

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.58 MYR 18.9

Cappuccino

$2.56 MYR 10.55

$1.2 MYR 4.96

$4.08 MYR 16.86

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

$0.75 MYR 3.09

$0.61 MYR 2.5

$0.84 MYR 3.47

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 MYR 1.34

$0.25 MYR 1.04

$0.49 MYR 2.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.9 MYR 11.95

$1.67 MYR 6.88

$6.75 MYR 27.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 MYR 15.34

$2.88 MYR 11.89

$4.32 MYR 17.82

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 MYR 7.9

$1.52 MYR 6.26

$2.34 MYR 9.66

White Bread (500g)

$1.09 MYR 4.51

$0.93 MYR 3.82

$1.51 MYR 6.22

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.07 MYR 4.41

$0.66 MYR 2.72

$1.45 MYR 5.99

Eggs

$2.15 MYR 8.89

$1.57 MYR 6.46

$2.77 MYR 11.43

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.48 MYR 39.14

$5.9 MYR 24.35

$23.61 MYR 97.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.81 MYR 15.72

$2.82 MYR 11.64

$5.17 MYR 21.35

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.94 MYR 32.79

$5.34 MYR 22.05

$18.12 MYR 74.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.96 MYR 12.23

$2.29 MYR 9.47

$4.12 MYR 17.01

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.78

$0.73 MYR 3

$1.69 MYR 6.98

Oranges (1kg)

$2.54 MYR 10.47

$1.85 MYR 7.64

$4.22 MYR 17.42

Tomato (1kg)

$1.81 MYR 7.47

$1.31 MYR 5.43

$2.86 MYR 11.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.77

$0.73 MYR 3

$2.15 MYR 8.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.86

$0.69 MYR 2.85

$1.84 MYR 7.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.77 MYR 7.3

$0.97 MYR 3.99

$3.15 MYR 12.99

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 MYR 2.02

$0.34 MYR 1.39

$1.14 MYR 4.68

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.32 MYR 17.82

$4.3 MYR 17.74

$4.8 MYR 19.8

Wine (Bottle)

$19.7 MYR 81.3

$14.78 MYR 61

$24.62 MYR 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.8 MYR 15.67

$1.19 MYR 4.89

$4.26 MYR 17.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 MYR 14.03

$2.32 MYR 9.57

$4.17 MYR 17.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.25 MYR 1.03

$0.85 MYR 3.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.57 MYR 47.74

$6.94 MYR 28.65

$34.71 MYR 143

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.93 MYR 3.83

$0.7 MYR 2.89

$1.17 MYR 4.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.1 MYR 4.53

$0.88 MYR 3.64

$1.31 MYR 5.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.92 MYR 7.91

$3.59 MYR 14.82

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.06

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

$44.5K MYR 183.8K

$42.8K MYR 176.6K

$46.3K MYR 191K

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

$36.5K MYR 150.7K

$35.2K MYR 145.2K

$36.5K MYR 150.7K

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

$40.71 MYR 168

$23.13 MYR 95.5

$53.9 MYR 222

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

$9.18 MYR 37.9

$4.79 MYR 19.77

$11.5 MYR 47.47

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.9 MYR 103

$18.08 MYR 74.6

$34.31 MYR 142

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.81 MYR 123

$17.89 MYR 73.8

$42.92 MYR 177

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.72 MYR 40.1

$5.83 MYR 24.05

$11.66 MYR 48.11

Cinema Ticket

$4.79 MYR 19.75

$4.31 MYR 17.78

$4.79 MYR 19.75

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

$145 MYR 597

$95.3 MYR 393

$233 MYR 963

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,005 MYR 24.8K

$4,649 MYR 19.2K

$7,903 MYR 32.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 MYR 268

$46.62 MYR 192

$86 MYR 355

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.85 MYR 131

$11.75 MYR 48.49

$70.3 MYR 290

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.4 MYR 349

$69.5 MYR 287

$92.5 MYR 382

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.3 MYR 298

$23.73 MYR 98

$94.9 MYR 392

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$278 MYR 1,148

$205 MYR 846

$433 MYR 1,788

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$207 MYR 852

$143 MYR 590

$322 MYR 1,328

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$574 MYR 2,369

$359 MYR 1,481

$957 MYR 3,948

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$392 MYR 1,617

$240 MYR 990

$672 MYR 2,772

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,071 MYR 8,545

$1,973 MYR 8,143

$2,124 MYR 8,765

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,530 MYR 6,316

$1,429 MYR 5,899

$1,623 MYR 6,699

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$584 MYR 2,408

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: November 30, 2025

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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.