Cost of Living in Sarawak - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $504 (excluding rent), and $892 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,245 (excluding rent), and $1,711 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.60 MYR 14.62

$2.40 MYR 9.75

$5.99 MYR 24.32

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.20 MYR 77.9

$13.44 MYR 54.6

$48.01 MYR 195

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.15 MYR 20.90

$4.57 MYR 18.57

$5.72 MYR 23.22

Cappuccino

$2.73 MYR 11.08

$0.70 MYR 2.86

$3.04 MYR 12.32

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

$0.73 MYR 2.97

$0.58 MYR 2.34

$1.15 MYR 4.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.59

$0.25 MYR 1.00

$0.73 MYR 2.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.87 MYR 31.95

$3.81 MYR 15.48

$11.92 MYR 48.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.15 MYR 33.09

$4.82 MYR 19.57

$11.47 MYR 46.57

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 MYR 7.61

$1.44 MYR 5.84

$2.04 MYR 8.28

White Bread (500g)

$1.00 MYR 4.06

$0.72 MYR 2.94

$2.00 MYR 8.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 MYR 5.23

$0.60 MYR 2.43

$2.39 MYR 9.71

Eggs

$2.10 MYR 8.54

$1.14 MYR 4.62

$2.74 MYR 11.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.27 MYR 62.0

$3.59 MYR 14.58

$25.14 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.61 MYR 10.59

$2.38 MYR 9.65

$2.85 MYR 11.57

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.48 MYR 38.49

$4.26 MYR 17.31

$15.67 MYR 63.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.90 MYR 11.78

$1.64 MYR 6.66

$4.21 MYR 17.11

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MYR 5.98

$0.70 MYR 2.85

$1.87 MYR 7.59

Oranges (1kg)

$2.59 MYR 10.51

$1.25 MYR 5.07

$4.31 MYR 17.48

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 MYR 5.62

$0.69 MYR 2.79

$2.32 MYR 9.41

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.77

$0.46 MYR 1.85

$2.29 MYR 9.31

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.14

$0.46 MYR 1.86

$2.30 MYR 9.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.24

$0.73 MYR 2.95

$1.74 MYR 7.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 MYR 2.59

$0.46 MYR 1.87

$0.81 MYR 3.27

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 MYR 17.65

$3.63 MYR 14.73

$5.20 MYR 21.10

Wine (Bottle)

$15.49 MYR 62.9

$10.69 MYR 43.38

$17.09 MYR 69.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 MYR 11.45

$1.68 MYR 6.83

$3.39 MYR 13.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 MYR 11.74

$1.73 MYR 7.04

$4.62 MYR 18.74

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.79

$0.46 MYR 1.85

$0.91 MYR 3.70

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.95 MYR 48.51

$9.56 MYR 38.83

$11.95 MYR 48.51

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 MYR 4.75

$0.70 MYR 2.86

$1.40 MYR 5.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 MYR 4.00

$0.65 MYR 2.65

$1.31 MYR 5.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.03 MYR 24.48

$4.82 MYR 19.58

$7.24 MYR 29.39

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.47 MYR 1.90

$0.48 MYR 1.94

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

$34.8K MYR 141.3K

$38.3K MYR 155.4K

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

$31.8K MYR 128.9K

$28.6K MYR 116.1K

$35.3K MYR 143.2K

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

$44.29 MYR 180

$23.96 MYR 97.3

$72.5 MYR 294

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

$9.01 MYR 36.57

$5.81 MYR 23.59

$13.95 MYR 56.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.01 MYR 118

$22.57 MYR 91.7

$39.93 MYR 162

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.22 MYR 151

$20.19 MYR 82.0

$47.53 MYR 193

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.76 MYR 23.39

$3.46 MYR 14.06

$5.76 MYR 23.39

Cinema Ticket

$5.05 MYR 20.50

$4.09 MYR 16.61

$6.01 MYR 24.40

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

$187 MYR 760

$118 MYR 478

$259 MYR 1,051

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,860 MYR 27.9K

$3,508 MYR 14.2K

$11.2K MYR 45.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.75 MYR 149

$16.66 MYR 67.6

$56.9 MYR 231

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.20 MYR 159

$19.06 MYR 77.4

$59.3 MYR 241

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.9 MYR 316

$28.36 MYR 115

$127 MYR 517

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.3 MYR 229

$18.80 MYR 76.4

$93.8 MYR 381

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$336 MYR 1,365

$240 MYR 975

$432 MYR 1,754

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$270 MYR 1,095

$188 MYR 762

$352 MYR 1,428

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$505 MYR 2,051

$352 MYR 1,431

$658 MYR 2,671

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$353 MYR 1,433

$235 MYR 955

$471 MYR 1,910

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,620 MYR 6,578

$1,207 MYR 4,902

$2,015 MYR 8,182

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$879 MYR 3,571

$574 MYR 2,332

$1,319 MYR 5,354

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$425 MYR 1,726

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: January 13, 2026

Sarawak Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

224

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 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.