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

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $836 monthly including rent, or $540 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,280 with rent, or $862 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,723 including rent, or $1,185 for daily expenses alone.

Sandakan, Sabah sits about 40% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 18% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.34 MYR 9.50

$5.15 MYR 20.89

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.98 MYR 77.0

$14.24 MYR 57.7

$35.59 MYR 144

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.65 MYR 18.85

$3.72 MYR 15.09

$6.98 MYR 28.30

Cappuccino

$2.60 MYR 10.55

$1.87 MYR 7.58

$3.03 MYR 12.28

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

$0.69 MYR 2.79

$0.48 MYR 1.95

$0.96 MYR 3.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.49 MYR 2.00

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 MYR 9.33

$2.92 MYR 11.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 MYR 14.09

$3.24 MYR 13.14

$5.89 MYR 23.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 MYR 6.98

$1.54 MYR 6.25

$3.70 MYR 14.99

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 MYR 5.01

$1.07 MYR 4.35

$1.32 MYR 5.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 MYR 4.65

$0.62 MYR 2.52

$3.67 MYR 14.86

Eggs

$2.79 MYR 11.31

$1.39 MYR 5.63

$5.02 MYR 20.34

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.31 MYR 62.1

$3.60 MYR 14.60

$25.20 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.61 MYR 14.66

$2.90 MYR 11.75

$5.07 MYR 20.55

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.90 MYR 27.97

$3.90 MYR 15.83

$10.35 MYR 41.98

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 MYR 10.44

$2.11 MYR 8.55

$3.28 MYR 13.30

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.57

$0.92 MYR 3.73

$1.38 MYR 5.60

Oranges (1kg)

$3.29 MYR 13.35

$1.93 MYR 7.84

$6.02 MYR 24.42

Tomato (1kg)

$2.00 MYR 8.11

$1.44 MYR 5.83

$2.41 MYR 9.77

Potato (1kg)

$1.22 MYR 4.96

$0.47 MYR 1.93

$2.38 MYR 9.67

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 MYR 5.18

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$2.32 MYR 9.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.08 MYR 4.37

$0.92 MYR 3.73

$1.38 MYR 5.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 MYR 2.05

$0.36 MYR 1.47

$0.73 MYR 2.98

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 MYR 17.01

$3.79 MYR 15.36

$6.00 MYR 24.31

Wine (Bottle)

$20.37 MYR 82.6

$13.14 MYR 53.3

$21.02 MYR 85.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 MYR 7.76

$1.43 MYR 5.79

$2.39 MYR 9.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 MYR 6.59

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MYR 2.76

$0.45 MYR 1.82

$0.90 MYR 3.65

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.59 MYR 47.01

$9.28 MYR 37.63

$11.59 MYR 47.01

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.65

$0.69 MYR 2.80

$1.37 MYR 5.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 MYR 4.20

$0.69 MYR 2.78

$1.37 MYR 5.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.86 MYR 23.77

$4.69 MYR 19.01

$7.04 MYR 28.53

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.88

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

$29.0K MYR 117.6K

$27.8K MYR 112.9K

$30.2K MYR 122.3K

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

$28.2K MYR 114.4K

$18.0K MYR 73.0K

$38.4K MYR 155.8K

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

$47.00 MYR 191

$21.15 MYR 85.7

$86.0 MYR 349

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

$3.56 MYR 14.43

$9.48 MYR 38.45

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.54 MYR 95.5

$16.95 MYR 68.7

$50.6 MYR 205

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.45 MYR 152

$20.32 MYR 82.4

$47.82 MYR 194

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.79 MYR 23.50

$3.48 MYR 14.12

$5.79 MYR 23.50

Cinema Ticket

$2.79 MYR 11.33

$5.82 MYR 23.59

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

$93.4 MYR 379

$152 MYR 615

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,465 MYR 18.1K

$3,055 MYR 12.4K

$5,640 MYR 22.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.3 MYR 241

$35.28 MYR 143

$95.0 MYR 385

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.40 MYR 90.8

$13.91 MYR 56.4

$34.77 MYR 141

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.9 MYR 283

$41.71 MYR 169

$163 MYR 661

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.6 MYR 380

$46.80 MYR 190

$140 MYR 569

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$387 MYR 1,571

$236 MYR 957

$436 MYR 1,770

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$274 MYR 1,113

$144 MYR 584

$308 MYR 1,250

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$637 MYR 2,581

$442 MYR 1,794

$1,024 MYR 4,154

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$465 MYR 1,886

$279 MYR 1,132

$651 MYR 2,641

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,042 MYR 8,280

$1,416 MYR 5,742

$2,099 MYR 8,512

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,040 MYR 4,217

$814 MYR 3,303

$1,438 MYR 5,831

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,225 MYR 4,968

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

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

Last update: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $387 for a central one-bedroom, or $274 outside the center. At 32% of the average salary ($1,225), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,225, while typical expenses reach $836. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,254.

Expect to spend about $243 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $19.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $11.59 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 96% of cities in Asia

Eggs is more expensive than 90% of cities in Asia

Sandakan, Sabah Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

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.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Sandakan, Sabah come to around $836 including rent, or roughly $540 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Compared to most cities worldwide, Sandakan, Sabah is just cheap – all-in costs average $836 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.

Earning $1,254 monthly in Sandakan, Sabah means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Sandakan, Sabah range from $274 to $387, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Sandakan, Sabah runs about $11.59, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

Groceries in Sandakan, Sabah cost around $243 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.

$1,200 stretches far in Sandakan, Sabah – all-in monthly costs average only $836. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Living in Sandakan, Sabah means access to fast internet, low crime rates, clean air at about $836 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.

Monthly expenses in Sandakan, Sabah run around $836, so putting money aside takes more than $1,254 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.