Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $499 (excluding rent), and $846 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,398 (excluding rent), and $1,713 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.63 MYR 14.31

$2.42 MYR 9.54

$6.04 MYR 23.81

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.06 MYR 75.1

$13.35 MYR 52.6

$47.67 MYR 188

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.23 MYR 16.66

$3.63 MYR 14.32

$4.83 MYR 19.05

Cappuccino

$2.30 MYR 9.08

$1.19 MYR 4.70

$2.86 MYR 11.27

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

$0.78 MYR 3.08

$0.61 MYR 2.42

$1.23 MYR 4.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 MYR 1.46

$0.23 MYR 0.92

$0.69 MYR 2.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 MYR 9.13

$1.86 MYR 7.31

$2.78 MYR 10.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 MYR 13.19

$2.39 MYR 9.43

$4.30 MYR 16.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.59 MYR 6.26

$1.27 MYR 4.99

$1.91 MYR 7.54

White Bread (500g)

$1.35 MYR 5.32

$0.81 MYR 3.18

$1.90 MYR 7.50

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 MYR 6.63

$0.34 MYR 1.36

$3.01 MYR 11.86

Eggs

$2.15 MYR 8.48

$1.16 MYR 4.59

$2.80 MYR 11.04

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.95 MYR 58.9

$3.52 MYR 13.86

$24.62 MYR 97.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.40 MYR 17.34

$2.86 MYR 11.25

$6.64 MYR 26.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.66 MYR 38.07

$4.34 MYR 17.12

$15.98 MYR 62.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 MYR 11.36

$1.63 MYR 6.42

$4.19 MYR 16.50

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 6.01

$0.73 MYR 2.86

$1.93 MYR 7.62

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 MYR 9.89

$1.21 MYR 4.77

$4.17 MYR 16.45

Tomato (1kg)

$1.39 MYR 5.47

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$2.32 MYR 9.15

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 4.67

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$2.31 MYR 9.11

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 MYR 5.03

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$2.32 MYR 9.14

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.11

$0.73 MYR 2.86

$1.74 MYR 6.84

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.05

$0.34 MYR 1.33

$0.69 MYR 2.70

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.25 MYR 16.76

$3.55 MYR 13.99

$5.09 MYR 20.04

Wine (Bottle)

$18.73 MYR 73.8

$12.49 MYR 49.19

$19.98 MYR 78.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 MYR 11.29

$1.71 MYR 6.73

$3.45 MYR 13.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 MYR 11.80

$1.80 MYR 7.08

$4.78 MYR 18.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MYR 2.87

$0.48 MYR 1.90

$0.96 MYR 3.80

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.76 MYR 46.35

$9.42 MYR 37.10

$11.76 MYR 46.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.21 MYR 4.77

$0.73 MYR 2.87

$1.45 MYR 5.69

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 MYR 3.92

$0.66 MYR 2.60

$1.32 MYR 5.20

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.02 MYR 23.72

$4.81 MYR 18.97

$7.23 MYR 28.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.98

$0.51 MYR 2.03

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

$34.8K MYR 137.1K

$38.3K MYR 150.8K

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

$31.4K MYR 123.7K

$28.3K MYR 111.3K

$34.9K MYR 137.3K

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

$44.25 MYR 174

$23.95 MYR 94.4

$72.4 MYR 285

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

$9.08 MYR 35.77

$5.86 MYR 23.07

$14.06 MYR 55.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.91 MYR 114

$22.50 MYR 88.6

$39.80 MYR 157

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.15 MYR 146

$20.15 MYR 79.4

$47.43 MYR 187

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.85 MYR 23.05

$3.52 MYR 13.85

$5.85 MYR 23.05

Cinema Ticket

$2.86 MYR 11.27

$2.14 MYR 8.44

$3.58 MYR 14.10

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

$187 MYR 738

$118 MYR 464

$259 MYR 1,021

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,821 MYR 26.9K

$3,488 MYR 13.7K

$11.2K MYR 44.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.3 MYR 238

$35.08 MYR 138

$81.9 MYR 323

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.11 MYR 107

$15.19 MYR 59.9

$43.83 MYR 173

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.6 MYR 286

$37.47 MYR 148

$93.7 MYR 369

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.5 MYR 199

$29.33 MYR 116

$106 MYR 416

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$386 MYR 1,522

$235 MYR 927

$435 MYR 1,716

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$273 MYR 1,077

$143 MYR 565

$307 MYR 1,210

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$632 MYR 2,492

$439 MYR 1,732

$1,018 MYR 4,010

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$466 MYR 1,837

$280 MYR 1,102

$653 MYR 2,572

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,850 MYR 7,289

$1,355 MYR 5,337

$2,123 MYR 8,364

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$981 MYR 3,866

$743 MYR 2,926

$1,494 MYR 5,888

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 2, 2026

Tawau 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 Tawau - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger Malaysian cities and regional capitals, Tawau generally offers a gentler price curve for daily living, especially if you choose local options over imported goods. Modest apartments and guesthouses are easy to find, while street food and casual eateries let you eat well without overspending. Transport is straightforward, with affordable public options and short rides to nearby attractions. Cost of Living in Tawau, Malaysia offers a practical baseline for longer stays if you value a slower pace and a strong sense of local life. Tip: start with a short-term stay in a neighborhood you like, then widen your housing search after you’ve tested your daily routines.

Housing ranges from simple apartments to guesthouses in walkable districts, with short commutes by bus or bike-friendly streets. Food is abundant in hawker centers and neighborhood cafes, offering fresh meals at predictable prices. Local transport is straightforward, with reliable bus routes and rideshares for longer trips; co-working spaces provide reliable Wi‑Fi and a social atmosphere. Tawau, Malaysia living cost remains manageable for a flexible schedule, especially if you blend home cooking with occasional dining out. Tip: scout a few neighborhoods near the waterfront or central market to balance commute, vibe, and access to services.

Consider a simple budgeting framework that splits your spending into dwelling, food, transport, and leisure, then set flexible targets tied to your actual routines rather than fixed numbers. Neighborhood fit matters: central areas offer short walks to markets and cafes, while quieter coastal pockets can be preferable if you value calm evenings. Seasonality in weather can guide your planning for errands and outdoor work, and daily routines may shift with the rhythms of local life. Build a routine around recurring local options: weekly markets, fixed co-working days, and group activities. Tip: use local networks to discover affordable services, and revisit arrangements every few weeks to stay aligned with your needs.