Cost of Living in Sandakan, Sabah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $509 (excluding rent), and $830 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,054 (excluding rent), and $1,739 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.42 MYR 9.81

$5.31 MYR 21.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.94 MYR 76.9

$14.21 MYR 57.7

$35.52 MYR 144

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.59 MYR 18.65

$3.68 MYR 14.93

$6.90 MYR 28.00

Cappuccino

$2.64 MYR 10.73

$1.90 MYR 7.71

$3.08 MYR 12.49

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

$0.65 MYR 2.65

$0.46 MYR 1.86

$0.92 MYR 3.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.49 MYR 2.00

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.41 MYR 9.78

$3.06 MYR 12.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 MYR 14.45

$3.32 MYR 13.47

$6.03 MYR 24.49

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 MYR 6.82

$1.50 MYR 6.10

$3.61 MYR 14.64

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 MYR 5.05

$1.08 MYR 4.39

$1.33 MYR 5.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 MYR 4.90

$0.65 MYR 2.66

$3.85 MYR 15.65

Eggs

$2.75 MYR 11.16

$1.37 MYR 5.56

$4.94 MYR 20.06

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.29 MYR 62.1

$3.60 MYR 14.60

$25.18 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.59 MYR 14.57

$2.88 MYR 11.68

$5.03 MYR 20.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.19 MYR 29.19

$4.07 MYR 16.51

$10.79 MYR 43.80

Apples (1kg)

$2.54 MYR 10.29

$2.08 MYR 8.43

$3.23 MYR 13.11

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.71

$0.95 MYR 3.85

$1.42 MYR 5.78

Oranges (1kg)

$3.17 MYR 12.86

$1.86 MYR 7.55

$5.79 MYR 23.51

Tomato (1kg)

$1.92 MYR 7.79

$1.38 MYR 5.61

$2.31 MYR 9.39

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 4.84

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$2.32 MYR 9.43

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 MYR 5.32

$0.47 MYR 1.92

$2.38 MYR 9.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 MYR 4.41

$0.93 MYR 3.77

$1.39 MYR 5.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.07

$0.36 MYR 1.48

$0.74 MYR 3.00

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.15 MYR 16.85

$3.75 MYR 15.21

$5.93 MYR 24.09

Wine (Bottle)

$18.00 MYR 73.1

$12.42 MYR 50.4

$19.87 MYR 80.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.90 MYR 7.72

$1.42 MYR 5.76

$2.38 MYR 9.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 MYR 6.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.75

$0.45 MYR 1.82

$0.90 MYR 3.65

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.80 MYR 47.90

$9.44 MYR 38.34

$11.80 MYR 47.90

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.16 MYR 4.72

$0.70 MYR 2.84

$1.39 MYR 5.65

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 MYR 4.00

$0.65 MYR 2.65

$1.31 MYR 5.30

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.99 MYR 24.33

$4.79 MYR 19.46

$7.19 MYR 29.20

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.87

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

$29.6K MYR 120.0K

$28.4K MYR 115.2K

$30.7K MYR 124.8K

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

$27.2K MYR 110.5K

$17.4K MYR 70.5K

$37.0K MYR 150.4K

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

$46.59 MYR 189

$20.96 MYR 85.1

$85.3 MYR 346

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

$3.64 MYR 14.78

$9.70 MYR 39.38

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.74 MYR 96.4

$17.09 MYR 69.4

$51.0 MYR 207

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.54 MYR 148

$19.82 MYR 80.5

$46.65 MYR 189

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.77 MYR 23.41

$3.47 MYR 14.07

$5.77 MYR 23.41

Cinema Ticket

$2.88 MYR 11.70

$6.00 MYR 24.36

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

$95.3 MYR 387

$155 MYR 629

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,547 MYR 18.5K

$3,111 MYR 12.6K

$5,744 MYR 23.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.0 MYR 240

$35.08 MYR 142

$94.5 MYR 384

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.74 MYR 92.3

$14.12 MYR 57.3

$35.30 MYR 143

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.1 MYR 289

$42.44 MYR 172

$166 MYR 674

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.7 MYR 380

$46.85 MYR 190

$141 MYR 571

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$384 MYR 1,560

$234 MYR 950

$433 MYR 1,758

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,114

$144 MYR 585

$308 MYR 1,252

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$654 MYR 2,657

$455 MYR 1,846

$1,053 MYR 4,276

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MYR 1,899

$281 MYR 1,140

$655 MYR 2,659

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,451 MYR 5,893

$1,081 MYR 4,391

$1,805 MYR 7,329

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$903 MYR 3,667

$590 MYR 2,395

$1,354 MYR 5,499

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$752 MYR 3,052

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

Sandakan, Sabah Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

132

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

191

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Sandakan, Sabah - Frequently Asked Questions

Sandakan offers a relaxed pace and cheaper day-to-day living compared with Malaysia’s metro hubs, making it appealing for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want lower fixed costs. In Cost of Living in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia you’ll notice affordable housing options, fresh market meals, and inexpensive local transport, with comfort achievable on a modest budget. Neighborhoods range from waterfront and town-center flats to hillside quarters; longer leases often unlock better rates. Cultural amenities and nature-based leisure provide a strong value proposition for a balanced lifestyle. Tip: Track a simple monthly budget and adjust as you settle.

Your housing search tends to offer options near the city center and along the coast, from older walk-ups to newer low-rise buildings. For food, local markets and seafood shacks deliver freshness at reasonable prices, while groceries in supermarkets offer familiar brands. Transport is practical: reliable local buses or rideshares, plus bike or scooter options for short hops. If you work remotely, you’ll find small co-working spaces or community hubs with steady internet in town. Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia living cost is typically friendly to budgets, especially if you prioritize locally sourced meals and walking trips. Tip: Start with a short trial to map transit routes and housing viewings.

Quality of life here blends nature, safety, and a slower tempo. You gain easy access to beaches, river walks, and seafood without long daily commutes. To budget effectively, set a simple framework: cover essential housing, food, transport, and utilities first, then allocate for occasional leisure and travel. Seasonal patterns are gentle but the rainy season can influence outdoor plans, so build flex days for errands or hikes. Look for neighborhoods that suit your routine – downtown proximity for amenities or quieter coastal pockets for evenings by the water. Tip: Compare a couple of different areas for a few days to feel out noise, access, and safety before signing a lease.