Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $538 (excluding rent), and $837 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,214 (excluding rent), and $1,741 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.64 MYR 15.36

$2.43 MYR 10.24

$6.06 MYR 25.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.82 MYR 79.4

$13.18 MYR 55.6

$47.06 MYR 198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.01 MYR 16.92

$3.45 MYR 14.54

$4.59 MYR 19.35

Cappuccino

$2.23 MYR 9.41

$1.16 MYR 4.87

$2.77 MYR 11.68

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

$0.76 MYR 3.21

$0.6 MYR 2.53

$1.2 MYR 5.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.66

$0.25 MYR 1.05

$0.74 MYR 3.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.38 MYR 10.04

$1.91 MYR 8.04

$2.85 MYR 12.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 MYR 13.77

$2.33 MYR 9.84

$4.19 MYR 17.69

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 MYR 6.49

$1.22 MYR 5.17

$1.85 MYR 7.81

White Bread (500g)

$1.3 MYR 5.49

$0.78 MYR 3.28

$1.84 MYR 7.74

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 MYR 7.07

$0.34 MYR 1.45

$3 MYR 12.65

Eggs

$2.17 MYR 9.16

$1.17 MYR 4.95

$2.83 MYR 11.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.86 MYR 54.2

$3.02 MYR 12.75

$21.17 MYR 89.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.26 MYR 17.96

$2.76 MYR 11.66

$6.43 MYR 27.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.59 MYR 40.44

$4.31 MYR 18.18

$15.85 MYR 66.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.49 MYR 10.48

$1.4 MYR 5.92

$3.61 MYR 15.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.37 MYR 5.78

$0.65 MYR 2.75

$1.74 MYR 7.33

Oranges (1kg)

$2.3 MYR 9.69

$1.11 MYR 4.67

$3.82 MYR 16.12

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 6.08

$0.72 MYR 3.02

$2.41 MYR 10.17

Potato (1kg)

$1.2 MYR 5.06

$0.47 MYR 1.97

$2.34 MYR 9.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 MYR 5.01

$0.43 MYR 1.81

$2.16 MYR 9.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 MYR 4.7

$0.78 MYR 3.27

$1.86 MYR 7.84

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 MYR 2.37

$0.36 MYR 1.54

$0.74 MYR 3.12

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.76 MYR 20.05

$3.97 MYR 16.74

$5.69 MYR 23.98

Wine (Bottle)

$16.45 MYR 69.4

$10.76 MYR 45.38

$21.53 MYR 90.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 MYR 11.73

$1.66 MYR 7

$3.35 MYR 14.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 MYR 13.72

$1.95 MYR 8.23

$5.19 MYR 21.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 MYR 3.12

$0.49 MYR 2.07

$0.98 MYR 4.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.7 MYR 49.35

$9.37 MYR 39.51

$11.7 MYR 49.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.13 MYR 4.77

$0.68 MYR 2.87

$1.35 MYR 5.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 MYR 4.12

$0.65 MYR 2.73

$1.3 MYR 5.47

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.07 MYR 25.59

$4.85 MYR 20.46

$7.28 MYR 30.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.11

$0.51 MYR 2.15

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

$40.5K MYR 170.8K

$44.6K MYR 187.9K

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

$31.1K MYR 131.2K

$28K MYR 118.1K

$34.5K MYR 145.7K

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

$49.65 MYR 209

$26.87 MYR 113

$81.3 MYR 343

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

$8.52 MYR 35.92

$5.5 MYR 23.17

$13.19 MYR 55.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.63 MYR 112

$20.72 MYR 87.4

$36.66 MYR 155

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.81 MYR 155

$19.97 MYR 84.2

$47 MYR 198

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.08 MYR 21.42

$3.05 MYR 12.87

$5.08 MYR 21.42

Cinema Ticket

$2.87 MYR 12.1

$2.15 MYR 9.06

$3.59 MYR 15.13

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

$189 MYR 798

$119 MYR 501

$262 MYR 1,103

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,482 MYR 27.3K

$3,315 MYR 14K

$10.6K MYR 44.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.9 MYR 290

$40.05 MYR 169

$93.5 MYR 394

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.92 MYR 118

$15.64 MYR 66

$45.12 MYR 190

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.6 MYR 306

$37.49 MYR 158

$93.7 MYR 395

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.13 MYR 199

$27.37 MYR 115

$98.6 MYR 416

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$439 MYR 1,852

$268 MYR 1,128

$495 MYR 2,087

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$229 MYR 967

$120 MYR 507

$258 MYR 1,086

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$552 MYR 2,328

$384 MYR 1,618

$888 MYR 3,746

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$465 MYR 1,960

$279 MYR 1,176

$651 MYR 2,744

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,812 MYR 7,642

$1,409 MYR 5,944

$2,115 MYR 8,920

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,115 MYR 4,703

$758 MYR 3,195

$1,277 MYR 5,383

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.

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.