Cost of Living in Sarawak - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $512 (excluding rent), and $882 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,206 (excluding rent), and $1,725 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 MYR 13.62

$2.30 MYR 9.08

$5.74 MYR 22.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.62 MYR 73.6

$13.04 MYR 51.5

$46.57 MYR 184

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.38 MYR 21.27

$4.78 MYR 18.90

$5.98 MYR 23.63

Cappuccino

$2.81 MYR 11.12

$0.73 MYR 2.87

$3.13 MYR 12.37

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

$0.78 MYR 3.09

$0.62 MYR 2.43

$1.23 MYR 4.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.44

$0.23 MYR 0.91

$0.68 MYR 2.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 MYR 31.36

$3.85 MYR 15.19

$12.02 MYR 47.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.32 MYR 32.87

$4.92 MYR 19.44

$11.71 MYR 46.26

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 MYR 7.41

$1.44 MYR 5.68

$2.04 MYR 8.06

White Bread (500g)

$0.94 MYR 3.72

$0.68 MYR 2.69

$1.88 MYR 7.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 MYR 5.15

$0.61 MYR 2.39

$2.42 MYR 9.57

Eggs

$2.12 MYR 8.38

$1.15 MYR 4.53

$2.76 MYR 10.91

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.95 MYR 59.1

$3.52 MYR 13.89

$24.62 MYR 97.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.66 MYR 10.51

$2.43 MYR 9.58

$2.91 MYR 11.49

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.25 MYR 36.56

$4.16 MYR 16.44

$15.30 MYR 60.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.90 MYR 11.44

$1.64 MYR 6.47

$4.21 MYR 16.62

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MYR 5.80

$0.70 MYR 2.76

$1.86 MYR 7.36

Oranges (1kg)

$2.61 MYR 10.30

$1.26 MYR 4.97

$4.34 MYR 17.12

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 5.69

$0.72 MYR 2.83

$2.41 MYR 9.53

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 MYR 4.84

$0.48 MYR 1.88

$2.39 MYR 9.44

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 MYR 5.24

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$2.41 MYR 9.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.00 MYR 3.96

$0.70 MYR 2.76

$1.67 MYR 6.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 MYR 2.50

$0.46 MYR 1.81

$0.80 MYR 3.16

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.37 MYR 17.25

$3.65 MYR 14.40

$5.22 MYR 20.63

Wine (Bottle)

$18.48 MYR 73.0

$12.32 MYR 48.65

$19.70 MYR 77.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.83 MYR 11.17

$1.69 MYR 6.66

$3.40 MYR 13.44

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 MYR 11.69

$1.78 MYR 7.02

$4.73 MYR 18.67

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.72

$0.46 MYR 1.80

$0.91 MYR 3.60

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.62 MYR 45.89

$9.30 MYR 36.74

$11.62 MYR 45.89

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.20 MYR 4.73

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$1.43 MYR 5.65

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 MYR 4.08

$0.68 MYR 2.71

$1.37 MYR 5.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.88 MYR 23.21

$4.70 MYR 18.56

$7.05 MYR 27.86

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 MYR 1.95

$0.50 MYR 1.99

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

$35.0K MYR 138.2K

$38.5K MYR 152.0K

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

$31.7K MYR 125.0K

$28.5K MYR 112.6K

$35.2K MYR 138.9K

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

$44.25 MYR 175

$23.95 MYR 94.6

$72.4 MYR 286

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

$9.29 MYR 36.71

$6.00 MYR 23.68

$14.39 MYR 56.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.60 MYR 113

$22.26 MYR 87.9

$39.37 MYR 156

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.40 MYR 144

$19.75 MYR 78.0

$46.48 MYR 184

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.92 MYR 23.38

$3.56 MYR 14.05

$5.92 MYR 23.38

Cinema Ticket

$4.90 MYR 19.35

$3.97 MYR 15.67

$5.83 MYR 23.02

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

$187 MYR 738

$117 MYR 464

$258 MYR 1,020

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,828 MYR 27.0K

$3,491 MYR 13.8K

$11.2K MYR 44.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.59 MYR 145

$16.58 MYR 65.5

$56.6 MYR 224

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.99 MYR 154

$18.96 MYR 74.9

$59.0 MYR 233

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.3 MYR 301

$27.78 MYR 110

$125 MYR 493

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.3 MYR 226

$19.12 MYR 75.5

$95.4 MYR 377

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$328 MYR 1,297

$235 MYR 926

$422 MYR 1,668

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$275 MYR 1,085

$191 MYR 755

$358 MYR 1,415

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$505 MYR 1,996

$353 MYR 1,393

$658 MYR 2,600

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$358 MYR 1,413

$239 MYR 942

$477 MYR 1,884

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,763 MYR 6,965

$1,291 MYR 5,100

$2,023 MYR 7,992

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$893 MYR 3,526

$676 MYR 2,669

$1,349 MYR 5,329

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$419 MYR 1,656

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: April 13, 2026

Sarawak 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 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.