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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $555 (excluding rent), and $854 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,129 (excluding rent), and $1,720 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.32 MYR 9.13

$5.09 MYR 20.07

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.10 MYR 75.2

$14.32 MYR 56.4

$35.81 MYR 141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.79 MYR 18.86

$3.83 MYR 15.09

$7.18 MYR 28.30

Cappuccino

$2.64 MYR 10.42

$1.90 MYR 7.49

$3.08 MYR 12.12

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

$0.69 MYR 2.72

$0.49 MYR 1.91

$0.97 MYR 3.82

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MYR 0.99

$0.49 MYR 1.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 MYR 9.40

$3.03 MYR 11.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 MYR 14.19

$3.36 MYR 13.23

$6.11 MYR 24.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 MYR 6.80

$1.54 MYR 6.09

$3.70 MYR 14.60

White Bread (500g)

$1.19 MYR 4.71

$1.04 MYR 4.09

$1.27 MYR 5.02

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.53

$0.62 MYR 2.46

$3.67 MYR 14.48

Eggs

$2.77 MYR 10.93

$1.38 MYR 5.45

$4.99 MYR 19.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.29 MYR 60.3

$3.60 MYR 14.17

$25.18 MYR 99.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.56 MYR 14.04

$2.86 MYR 11.26

$5.00 MYR 19.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.15 MYR 28.18

$4.05 MYR 15.94

$10.73 MYR 42.29

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 MYR 10.26

$2.13 MYR 8.40

$3.32 MYR 13.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.58

$0.95 MYR 3.74

$1.42 MYR 5.61

Oranges (1kg)

$3.20 MYR 12.62

$1.88 MYR 7.41

$5.86 MYR 23.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.90 MYR 7.49

$1.37 MYR 5.39

$2.29 MYR 9.02

Potato (1kg)

$1.20 MYR 4.72

$0.47 MYR 1.83

$2.34 MYR 9.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.00

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$2.30 MYR 9.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 MYR 4.46

$0.97 MYR 3.81

$1.45 MYR 5.72

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.00

$0.36 MYR 1.43

$0.73 MYR 2.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.08 MYR 16.08

$3.68 MYR 14.52

$5.83 MYR 22.99

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 MYR 73.5

$12.43 MYR 48.99

$19.90 MYR 78.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.90 MYR 7.50

$1.42 MYR 5.59

$2.38 MYR 9.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 MYR 6.64

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.68

$0.45 MYR 1.77

$0.90 MYR 3.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.59 MYR 45.68

$9.28 MYR 36.57

$11.59 MYR 45.68

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 MYR 4.74

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$1.44 MYR 5.66

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.04 MYR 4.08

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$1.37 MYR 5.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.80 MYR 22.84

$4.64 MYR 18.27

$6.96 MYR 27.42

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.96

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

$29.1K MYR 114.8K

$28.0K MYR 110.2K

$30.3K MYR 119.4K

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

$27.9K MYR 109.9K

$17.8K MYR 70.1K

$38.0K MYR 149.6K

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

$47.94 MYR 189

$21.57 MYR 85.0

$87.7 MYR 346

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

$3.60 MYR 14.19

$9.59 MYR 37.80

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.43 MYR 92.3

$16.87 MYR 66.5

$50.4 MYR 198

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.62 MYR 144

$19.87 MYR 78.3

$46.76 MYR 184

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.72 MYR 22.53

$3.44 MYR 13.54

$5.72 MYR 22.53

Cinema Ticket

$2.80 MYR 11.03

$5.82 MYR 22.95

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

$95.2 MYR 375

$155 MYR 610

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,471 MYR 17.6K

$3,059 MYR 12.1K

$5,648 MYR 22.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.8 MYR 236

$35.55 MYR 140

$95.8 MYR 377

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.91 MYR 90.3

$14.23 MYR 56.1

$35.57 MYR 140

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.8 MYR 275

$41.67 MYR 164

$163 MYR 642

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.3 MYR 372

$47.17 MYR 186

$142 MYR 558

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$394 MYR 1,553

$240 MYR 946

$444 MYR 1,750

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 MYR 1,043

$139 MYR 547

$298 MYR 1,172

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$651 MYR 2,564

$452 MYR 1,782

$1,047 MYR 4,126

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$467 MYR 1,840

$280 MYR 1,104

$654 MYR 2,577

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,904 MYR 7,501

$1,394 MYR 5,492

$2,185 MYR 8,607

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$993 MYR 3,913

$752 MYR 2,962

$1,513 MYR 5,960

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$757 MYR 2,982

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Sandakan, Sabah Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

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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.