Cost of Living in Sarawak - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $596 (excluding rent), and $907 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,353 (excluding rent), and $1,663 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 MYR 14.08

$2.38 MYR 9.39

$5.95 MYR 23.43

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.50 MYR 72.9

$12.96 MYR 51.1

$46.28 MYR 182

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.32 MYR 20.95

$4.73 MYR 18.62

$5.91 MYR 23.28

Cappuccino

$2.72 MYR 10.73

$0.70 MYR 2.77

$3.03 MYR 11.94

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

$0.76 MYR 3.01

$0.60 MYR 2.37

$1.20 MYR 4.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 MYR 1.44

$0.23 MYR 0.91

$0.68 MYR 2.70

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.76 MYR 30.58

$3.76 MYR 14.82

$11.75 MYR 46.30

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.62 MYR 33.95

$5.10 MYR 20.08

$12.13 MYR 47.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 MYR 7.17

$1.39 MYR 5.49

$1.98 MYR 7.79

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 MYR 3.73

$0.69 MYR 2.70

$1.89 MYR 7.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.25 MYR 4.94

$0.58 MYR 2.29

$2.33 MYR 9.17

Eggs

$2.07 MYR 8.17

$1.12 MYR 4.42

$2.70 MYR 10.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.13 MYR 59.6

$3.56 MYR 14.02

$24.90 MYR 98.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.60 MYR 10.26

$2.37 MYR 9.35

$2.85 MYR 11.21

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.27 MYR 36.54

$4.17 MYR 16.43

$15.33 MYR 60.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 MYR 11.29

$1.62 MYR 6.38

$4.16 MYR 16.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 5.99

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$1.93 MYR 7.60

Oranges (1kg)

$2.62 MYR 10.32

$1.26 MYR 4.98

$4.35 MYR 17.16

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 MYR 5.44

$0.69 MYR 2.70

$2.31 MYR 9.10

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.67

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$2.31 MYR 9.10

Onion (1kg)

$1.29 MYR 5.07

$0.47 MYR 1.83

$2.34 MYR 9.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.08

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$1.73 MYR 6.80

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 MYR 2.67

$0.49 MYR 1.93

$0.86 MYR 3.37

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.15 MYR 16.34

$3.46 MYR 13.64

$4.96 MYR 19.54

Wine (Bottle)

$21.77 MYR 85.8

$14.51 MYR 57.2

$23.22 MYR 91.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 MYR 10.85

$1.64 MYR 6.47

$3.31 MYR 13.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 MYR 11.38

$1.73 MYR 6.83

$4.61 MYR 18.17

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.70 MYR 2.75

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$0.92 MYR 3.63

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.84 MYR 46.64

$9.48 MYR 37.33

$11.84 MYR 46.64

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 MYR 4.71

$0.72 MYR 2.83

$1.43 MYR 5.63

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 MYR 3.91

$0.66 MYR 2.60

$1.32 MYR 5.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.95 MYR 23.44

$4.76 MYR 18.74

$7.14 MYR 28.13

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.98

$0.51 MYR 2.03

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

$35.2K MYR 138.7K

$38.7K MYR 152.6K

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

$32.0K MYR 126.2K

$28.8K MYR 113.6K

$35.6K MYR 140.2K

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

$43.22 MYR 170

$23.39 MYR 92.1

$70.7 MYR 279

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

$8.98 MYR 35.37

$5.79 MYR 22.82

$13.90 MYR 54.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.36 MYR 116

$22.84 MYR 90.0

$40.41 MYR 159

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.52 MYR 148

$20.35 MYR 80.2

$47.90 MYR 189

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.82 MYR 22.93

$3.50 MYR 13.78

$5.82 MYR 22.93

Cinema Ticket

$4.89 MYR 19.27

$3.96 MYR 15.61

$5.82 MYR 22.93

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

$191 MYR 753

$120 MYR 473

$264 MYR 1,041

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,812 MYR 26.8K

$3,484 MYR 13.7K

$11.1K MYR 43.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.39 MYR 143

$16.49 MYR 65.0

$56.3 MYR 222

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.41 MYR 155

$19.16 MYR 75.5

$59.7 MYR 235

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.4 MYR 305

$28.18 MYR 111

$127 MYR 499

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.1 MYR 221

$18.72 MYR 73.8

$93.4 MYR 368

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$335 MYR 1,319

$239 MYR 942

$430 MYR 1,695

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 MYR 1,053

$186 MYR 733

$349 MYR 1,374

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$510 MYR 2,008

$356 MYR 1,401

$664 MYR 2,616

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$357 MYR 1,408

$238 MYR 939

$476 MYR 1,877

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,750 MYR 6,896

$1,282 MYR 5,049

$2,008 MYR 7,913

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$882 MYR 3,475

$668 MYR 2,631

$1,343 MYR 5,292

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$432 MYR 1,701

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: March 3, 2026

Sarawak Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 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.