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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $515 (excluding rent), and $828 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,212 (excluding rent), and $1,742 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.34 MYR 9.89

$5.16 MYR 21.74

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.89 MYR 79.7

$14.17 MYR 59.8

$35.42 MYR 149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.58 MYR 19.29

$3.66 MYR 15.44

$6.87 MYR 28.96

Cappuccino

$2.68 MYR 11.32

$1.93 MYR 8.14

$3.12 MYR 13.17

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

$0.65 MYR 2.73

$0.45 MYR 1.91

$0.91 MYR 3.83

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.23 MYR 0.97

$0.45 MYR 1.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 MYR 10.07

$3.04 MYR 12.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 MYR 15.05

$3.33 MYR 14.03

$6.05 MYR 25.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 MYR 7.41

$1.57 MYR 6.63

$3.77 MYR 15.91

White Bread (500g)

$1.19 MYR 5

$1.03 MYR 4.34

$1.26 MYR 5.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 5.03

$0.65 MYR 2.73

$3.81 MYR 16.06

Eggs

$2.78 MYR 11.73

$1.39 MYR 5.85

$5 MYR 21.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.79 MYR 62.4

$3.48 MYR 14.67

$24.34 MYR 103

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.63 MYR 15.29

$2.91 MYR 12.26

$5.08 MYR 21.44

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.96 MYR 29.34

$3.94 MYR 16.6

$10.44 MYR 44.02

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 MYR 11.03

$2.14 MYR 9.03

$3.33 MYR 14.05

Banana (1kg)

$1.14 MYR 4.79

$0.93 MYR 3.91

$1.39 MYR 5.87

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 MYR 13.72

$1.91 MYR 8.05

$5.95 MYR 25.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.98 MYR 8.36

$1.43 MYR 6.02

$2.39 MYR 10.07

Potato (1kg)

$1.22 MYR 5.16

$0.47 MYR 2

$2.38 MYR 10.06

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 MYR 5.57

$0.48 MYR 2.01

$2.4 MYR 10.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.08 MYR 4.53

$0.92 MYR 3.87

$1.38 MYR 5.81

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 2.01

$0.34 MYR 1.44

$0.69 MYR 2.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.21 MYR 17.75

$3.8 MYR 16.02

$6.02 MYR 25.37

Wine (Bottle)

$17.83 MYR 75.2

$8.32 MYR 35.08

$35.64 MYR 150

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 MYR 7.83

$1.38 MYR 5.84

$2.32 MYR 9.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 MYR 6.78

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.62 MYR 2.59

$0.41 MYR 1.72

$0.81 MYR 3.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.06 MYR 55.1

$10.46 MYR 44.1

$13.06 MYR 55.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.84

$0.69 MYR 2.92

$1.37 MYR 5.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.01 MYR 4.25

$0.67 MYR 2.82

$1.34 MYR 5.64

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.73 MYR 24.16

$4.58 MYR 19.32

$6.88 MYR 29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.1

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

$29.1K MYR 122.6K

$27.9K MYR 117.6K

$30.2K MYR 127.5K

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

$27.4K MYR 115.4K

$17.5K MYR 73.7K

$37.3K MYR 157.2K

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

$46.32 MYR 195

$20.84 MYR 87.9

$84.8 MYR 357

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

$3.59 MYR 15.16

$9.57 MYR 40.37

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.36 MYR 98.5

$16.82 MYR 70.9

$50.2 MYR 212

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.48 MYR 154

$19.79 MYR 83.5

$46.58 MYR 196

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.3 MYR 26.57

$3.79 MYR 15.97

$6.3 MYR 26.57

Cinema Ticket

$2.77 MYR 11.69

$5.77 MYR 24.33

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

$96.1 MYR 405

$156 MYR 658

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,447 MYR 18.8K

$3,043 MYR 12.8K

$5,618 MYR 23.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.3 MYR 250

$35.25 MYR 149

$95 MYR 400

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.01 MYR 97

$14.29 MYR 60.3

$35.73 MYR 151

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.6 MYR 302

$42.71 MYR 180

$167 MYR 704

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$96.2 MYR 405

$48.08 MYR 203

$144 MYR 608

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$386 MYR 1,626

$235 MYR 990

$435 MYR 1,832

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$273 MYR 1,152

$143 MYR 604

$307 MYR 1,294

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 MYR 2,769

$456 MYR 1,924

$1,057 MYR 4,456

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$470 MYR 1,982

$282 MYR 1,189

$658 MYR 2,775

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,994 MYR 8,407

$1,551 MYR 6,539

$2,327 MYR 9,813

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,050 MYR 4,427

$713 MYR 3,007

$1,202 MYR 5,067

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$699 MYR 2,947

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

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.