For one person, living costs in Sarawak are estimated at $954 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $19 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sarawak actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $954 per month with rent, or $582 for everyday expenses alone.
$954 /mo
A couple spends around $1,408 per month with rent, or $950 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,408 /mo
A family of three spends around $1,862 per month with rent, or $1,319 without housing.
$1,862 /mo
📊
Overall, Sarawak is 30–34% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are close to average – just 10% lower.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.4KMYR 205.9K
$46.9KMYR 191.9K
$51.2KMYR 209.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9KMYR 163.0K
$39.8KMYR 162.8K
$39.9KMYR 163.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$52.9MYR 216
$32.69MYR 134
$89.7MYR 367
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.66MYR 43.56
$5.85MYR 23.89
$18.61MYR 76.1
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.13MYR 119
$24.09MYR 98.5
$39.94MYR 163
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.05MYR 164
$23.67MYR 96.8
$46.81MYR 191
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.22MYR 29.52
$1.34MYR 5.47
$7.22MYR 29.52
Cinema Ticket
$5.60MYR 22.90
$4.92MYR 20.09
$7.01MYR 28.66
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$241MYR 984
$148MYR 607
$467MYR 1,909
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,956MYR 28.4K
$5,081MYR 20.8K
$16.3KMYR 66.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1MYR 237
$25.29MYR 103
$88.5MYR 362
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.97MYR 122
$12.59MYR 51.5
$36.74MYR 150
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.0MYR 356
$65.4MYR 267
$105MYR 428
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.9MYR 310
$33.52MYR 137
$141MYR 577
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$410MYR 1,674
$291MYR 1,188
$485MYR 1,980
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$318MYR 1,301
$230MYR 940
$442MYR 1,806
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$704MYR 2,879
$552MYR 2,257
$1,007MYR 4,115
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$491MYR 2,006
$318MYR 1,299
$597MYR 2,439
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,170MYR 8,868
$1,402MYR 5,730
$2,181MYR 8,915
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,323MYR 5,409
$882MYR 3,606
$1,544MYR 6,311
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$349MYR 1,425
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
3.55
4.85
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 24, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Sarawak$954
Sarawak$1,862
🏠Accommodation & Living
$318 33.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$249 26.1%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$113 11.8%
🍽Eating Out
$112 11.7%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$93 9.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$51 5.4%
🚌Getting Around
$17 1.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$491 26.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$556 29.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$251 13.5%
🍽Eating Out
$316 17%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$103 5.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$110 5.9%
🚌Getting Around
$36 1.9%
Cost Breakdown
💰The average net salary is $349 – below monthly costs of $954. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.
🛒Groceries cost around $249 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $20 – well below the Asian average of $35.
🚌A monthly public transport pass costs about $10.56 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33).
Cost Highlights
⭐Imported beer is more expensive than 92% of cities in Asia
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Sarawak - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarawak a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other regions?
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.
How does daily life look here in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands for long stays?
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.
What quality of life opportunities and budgeting approaches help you decide where to settle and how to plan seasonally?
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.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Sarawak?
All in, Sarawak runs about $954 monthly with rent, or $582 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
Is Sarawak one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Sarawak is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $954, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Sarawak?
You’ll want at least $1,430 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Sarawak. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Sarawak?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Sarawak runs about $410 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $318. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How expensive is preschool in Sarawak per month?
Private kindergarten in Sarawak costs about $241 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Sarawak?
A gym membership in Sarawak runs about $40 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Sarawak?
$1,200 a month in Sarawak? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $954, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What are the pros and cons of living in Sarawak?
Quality of life in Sarawak is genuinely good – highlights include fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and monthly costs hover around $954. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
Is Sarawak budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Sarawak is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $954 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.