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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $504 (excluding rent), and $855 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,186 (excluding rent), and $1,722 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 MYR 9.6

$5.12 MYR 21.12

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.49 MYR 76.3

$13.87 MYR 57.3

$34.68 MYR 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.82 MYR 19.9

$3.86 MYR 15.93

$7.24 MYR 29.88

Cappuccino

$2.64 MYR 10.9

$1.9 MYR 7.83

$3.07 MYR 12.68

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

$0.7 MYR 2.88

$0.49 MYR 2.02

$0.98 MYR 4.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.23 MYR 0.95

$0.45 MYR 1.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 MYR 9.67

$2.98 MYR 12.29

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.51 MYR 14.48

$3.27 MYR 13.49

$5.95 MYR 24.54

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 MYR 7.16

$1.55 MYR 6.4

$3.72 MYR 15.36

White Bread (500g)

$1.19 MYR 4.93

$1.04 MYR 4.28

$1.27 MYR 5.25

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 MYR 4.78

$0.63 MYR 2.59

$3.7 MYR 15.26

Eggs

$2.75 MYR 11.36

$1.37 MYR 5.66

$4.95 MYR 20.42

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.27 MYR 63

$3.59 MYR 14.82

$25.14 MYR 104

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.58 MYR 14.76

$2.87 MYR 11.84

$5.02 MYR 20.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7 MYR 28.89

$3.96 MYR 16.34

$10.5 MYR 43.35

Apples (1kg)

$2.55 MYR 10.53

$2.09 MYR 8.62

$3.25 MYR 13.42

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.65

$0.92 MYR 3.8

$1.38 MYR 5.7

Oranges (1kg)

$3.26 MYR 13.44

$1.91 MYR 7.89

$5.96 MYR 24.58

Tomato (1kg)

$1.91 MYR 7.88

$1.37 MYR 5.67

$2.3 MYR 9.49

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 5.11

$0.48 MYR 1.99

$2.42 MYR 9.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 MYR 5.52

$0.48 MYR 2

$2.43 MYR 10.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 MYR 4.41

$0.91 MYR 3.77

$1.37 MYR 5.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.1

$0.36 MYR 1.5

$0.74 MYR 3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 MYR 16.67

$3.65 MYR 15.05

$5.77 MYR 23.82

Wine (Bottle)

$19.57 MYR 80.8

$15.91 MYR 65.6

$36.7 MYR 151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.87 MYR 7.72

$1.4 MYR 5.76

$2.34 MYR 9.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 MYR 6.99

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.7 MYR 2.88

$0.46 MYR 1.9

$0.92 MYR 3.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12 MYR 49.54

$9.61 MYR 39.66

$12 MYR 49.54

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.76

$0.69 MYR 2.87

$1.38 MYR 5.69

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 MYR 4.07

$0.65 MYR 2.7

$1.31 MYR 5.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.74 MYR 23.69

$4.59 MYR 18.94

$6.89 MYR 28.43

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.05

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

$28.9K MYR 119.2K

$27.7K MYR 114.5K

$30K MYR 124K

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

$27.5K MYR 113.6K

$17.6K MYR 72.5K

$37.5K MYR 154.6K

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

$47.66 MYR 197

$21.44 MYR 88.5

$87.2 MYR 360

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

$3.52 MYR 14.55

$9.39 MYR 38.75

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.93 MYR 98.8

$17.23 MYR 71.1

$51.4 MYR 212

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.56 MYR 155

$20.38 MYR 84.1

$47.96 MYR 198

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.83 MYR 24.05

$3.5 MYR 14.45

$5.83 MYR 24.05

Cinema Ticket

$2.77 MYR 11.42

$5.76 MYR 23.77

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

$92.5 MYR 382

$150 MYR 621

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,507 MYR 18.6K

$3,084 MYR 12.7K

$5,693 MYR 23.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.5 MYR 246

$35.4 MYR 146

$95.4 MYR 394

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.05 MYR 95.1

$14.31 MYR 59.1

$35.78 MYR 148

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.1 MYR 294

$42.44 MYR 175

$166 MYR 685

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.8 MYR 387

$46.92 MYR 194

$141 MYR 581

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$383 MYR 1,582

$234 MYR 964

$432 MYR 1,783

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$269 MYR 1,110

$141 MYR 582

$302 MYR 1,247

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$656 MYR 2,707

$456 MYR 1,881

$1,056 MYR 4,357

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$463 MYR 1,911

$278 MYR 1,147

$648 MYR 2,675

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,698 MYR 7,009

$1,143 MYR 4,719

$1,723 MYR 7,111

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,244 MYR 5,135

$635 MYR 2,622

$1,470 MYR 6,065

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$730 MYR 3,011

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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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.