Cost of Living in Sarawak - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $529 (excluding rent), and $899 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,317 (excluding rent), and $1,657 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 MYR 14.89

$2.41 MYR 9.93

$6 MYR 24.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.23 MYR 79.4

$13.46 MYR 55.6

$48.08 MYR 198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.34 MYR 22.02

$4.74 MYR 19.57

$5.93 MYR 24.48

Cappuccino

$2.83 MYR 11.67

$0.73 MYR 3.01

$3.15 MYR 12.98

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

$0.72 MYR 2.96

$0.57 MYR 2.33

$1.13 MYR 4.66

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 MYR 1.51

$0.23 MYR 0.95

$0.68 MYR 2.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.66 MYR 31.63

$3.71 MYR 15.33

$11.61 MYR 47.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.41 MYR 34.7

$4.97 MYR 20.52

$11.84 MYR 48.84

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 MYR 7.72

$1.43 MYR 5.91

$2.03 MYR 8.39

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 MYR 4.16

$0.73 MYR 3.02

$2.02 MYR 8.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.25 MYR 5.15

$0.58 MYR 2.39

$2.32 MYR 9.58

Eggs

$2.04 MYR 8.41

$1.1 MYR 4.55

$2.65 MYR 10.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.96 MYR 61.7

$3.52 MYR 14.52

$24.63 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.53 MYR 10.44

$2.3 MYR 9.51

$2.76 MYR 11.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.19 MYR 37.91

$4.13 MYR 17.05

$15.19 MYR 62.7

Apples (1kg)

$2.95 MYR 12.16

$1.66 MYR 6.87

$4.28 MYR 17.65

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 MYR 6.1

$0.7 MYR 2.9

$1.87 MYR 7.73

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 MYR 10.43

$1.22 MYR 5.03

$4.2 MYR 17.34

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 MYR 5.71

$0.69 MYR 2.84

$2.32 MYR 9.56

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 4.9

$0.46 MYR 1.9

$2.32 MYR 9.56

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 MYR 5.27

$0.46 MYR 1.9

$2.32 MYR 9.56

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 MYR 4.27

$0.72 MYR 2.97

$1.72 MYR 7.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 MYR 2.57

$0.45 MYR 1.86

$0.79 MYR 3.24

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.2 MYR 17.33

$3.51 MYR 14.47

$5.02 MYR 20.72

Wine (Bottle)

$18.55 MYR 76.6

$10.59 MYR 43.72

$21.2 MYR 87.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 MYR 11.47

$1.66 MYR 6.84

$3.34 MYR 13.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 MYR 11.89

$1.73 MYR 7.13

$4.6 MYR 18.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 MYR 3.07

$0.49 MYR 2.03

$0.99 MYR 4.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.75 MYR 48.48

$9.4 MYR 38.81

$11.75 MYR 48.48

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.74

$0.69 MYR 2.85

$1.37 MYR 5.66

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 MYR 4.05

$0.65 MYR 2.69

$1.3 MYR 5.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.86 MYR 24.19

$4.69 MYR 19.35

$7.04 MYR 29.04

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.93

$0.48 MYR 1.97

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

$35.2K MYR 145.2K

$38.7K MYR 159.8K

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

$31.5K MYR 129.8K

$28.3K MYR 116.9K

$34.9K MYR 144.2K

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

$43.98 MYR 182

$23.8 MYR 98.2

$72 MYR 297

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

$9.08 MYR 37.48

$5.86 MYR 24.18

$14.06 MYR 58

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.08 MYR 120

$22.63 MYR 93.4

$40.04 MYR 165

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.15 MYR 153

$20.16 MYR 83.2

$47.43 MYR 196

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.96 MYR 24.6

$3.58 MYR 14.79

$5.96 MYR 24.6

Cinema Ticket

$5 MYR 20.62

$4.05 MYR 16.71

$5.95 MYR 24.54

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

$185 MYR 765

$116 MYR 480

$256 MYR 1,057

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,950 MYR 28.7K

$3,554 MYR 14.7K

$11.4K MYR 46.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.79 MYR 148

$16.22 MYR 66.9

$55.4 MYR 229

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.37 MYR 162

$19.14 MYR 79

$59.6 MYR 246

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.7 MYR 317

$27.93 MYR 115

$125 MYR 518

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.9 MYR 231

$18.68 MYR 77.1

$93.2 MYR 385

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$330 MYR 1,361

$236 MYR 972

$424 MYR 1,750

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$269 MYR 1,109

$187 MYR 772

$351 MYR 1,447

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$511 MYR 2,111

$357 MYR 1,473

$666 MYR 2,749

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$359 MYR 1,482

$239 MYR 988

$479 MYR 1,976

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,785 MYR 7,365

$1,202 MYR 4,959

$1,811 MYR 7,473

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,092 MYR 4,505

$557 MYR 2,300

$1,289 MYR 5,321

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$410 MYR 1,690

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.07

3.6

4.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Sarawak - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major Malaysian cities and many regional hubs, Sarawak tends to offer a favorable balance of price and quality. You can find comfortable, well-connected neighborhoods in Kuching and smaller towns where rents and utilities feel more affordable than in Peninsular centers. Local markets and hawker stalls deliver flavorful meals at low cost, helping you stretch your budget without sacrificing variety. Transport between towns is practical and often inexpensive, with buses and occasional short domestic flights opening up the region. Services, utilities, and everyday goods stay modest when you opt for local options over imports. The Cost of Living in Sarawak supports a relaxed, value-driven lifestyle. Tip: Start by testing a couple of neighborhoods before committing and track monthly basics.

Housing search tends to hinge on location and access to services. In Kuching and other urban hubs you’ll find more rental options, coworking spaces, and shorter leases; in smaller towns, housing is cheaper but options can be more limited. Begin with local agents, check online listings, and verify in person across several neighborhoods to compare noise, proximity, and light. Food options range from vibrant street stalls to supermarkets; cooking at home helps stretch your budget, while occasional meals out support local culture. For transport, you'll rely on car, motorbike, or buses; errands are easy when a market or mall is nearby. The Sarawak living cost varies by area, so map your plan accordingly. Tip: Build a short trial stay into your search to see how daily life feels.

Quality of life in Sarawak blends easy access to nature, cultural experiences, and a pace that suits many remote workers. Use a simple budgeting framework: allocate housing, groceries, utilities, transport, and leisure, then adjust as you test neighborhoods. Save by cooking at home, choosing local products, and using public transport where practical. Be mindful of seasonality: heavy rains can influence outdoor plans and travel routes, while regional festivals bring lively markets and activities. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: urban cores offer services and coworking; coastal and rural areas provide quieter living and easier nature access. Tip: maintain a flexible routine that balances work, exploration, and rest.