Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $571 (excluding rent), and $847 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,066 (excluding rent), and $1,726 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.44 MYR 14.22

$2.3 MYR 9.48

$5.73 MYR 23.65

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.83 MYR 77.7

$13.19 MYR 54.4

$47.1 MYR 194

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.05 MYR 16.7

$3.48 MYR 14.35

$4.63 MYR 19.1

Cappuccino

$2.29 MYR 9.47

$1.19 MYR 4.9

$2.85 MYR 11.75

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

$0.74 MYR 3.04

$0.58 MYR 2.39

$1.16 MYR 4.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.63

$0.25 MYR 1.03

$0.74 MYR 3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 MYR 9.67

$1.88 MYR 7.74

$2.81 MYR 11.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.36 MYR 13.85

$2.4 MYR 9.9

$4.31 MYR 17.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.56 MYR 6.44

$1.24 MYR 5.12

$1.88 MYR 7.75

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 MYR 5.39

$0.78 MYR 3.22

$1.84 MYR 7.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.72 MYR 7.11

$0.35 MYR 1.45

$3.08 MYR 12.72

Eggs

$2.13 MYR 8.8

$1.15 MYR 4.76

$2.78 MYR 11.46

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.95 MYR 61.7

$3.52 MYR 14.51

$24.61 MYR 102

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.42 MYR 18.26

$2.87 MYR 11.85

$6.68 MYR 27.55

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.55 MYR 39.43

$4.3 MYR 17.73

$15.8 MYR 65.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.95 MYR 12.18

$1.67 MYR 6.88

$4.28 MYR 17.68

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MYR 6.07

$0.7 MYR 2.89

$1.87 MYR 7.7

Oranges (1kg)

$2.59 MYR 10.7

$1.25 MYR 5.16

$4.31 MYR 17.79

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 MYR 5.71

$0.69 MYR 2.84

$2.32 MYR 9.56

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 5.11

$0.48 MYR 1.99

$2.42 MYR 9.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 MYR 5.28

$0.46 MYR 1.91

$2.32 MYR 9.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$1 MYR 4.12

$0.7 MYR 2.87

$1.66 MYR 6.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.13

$0.34 MYR 1.38

$0.68 MYR 2.8

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.14 MYR 17.08

$3.46 MYR 14.26

$4.95 MYR 20.43

Wine (Bottle)

$17.28 MYR 71.3

$9.87 MYR 40.72

$19.74 MYR 81.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.86 MYR 11.79

$1.7 MYR 7.03

$3.44 MYR 14.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 MYR 12.09

$1.76 MYR 7.25

$4.68 MYR 19.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 MYR 2.85

$0.46 MYR 1.89

$0.92 MYR 3.78

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.88 MYR 49.03

$9.51 MYR 39.25

$11.88 MYR 49.03

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.75

$0.69 MYR 2.86

$1.38 MYR 5.68

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.99 MYR 4.09

$0.66 MYR 2.72

$1.32 MYR 5.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.05 MYR 24.96

$4.84 MYR 19.96

$7.26 MYR 29.96

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 MYR 2.03

$0.5 MYR 2.08

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

$34.7K MYR 143.3K

$38.2K MYR 157.6K

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

$32K MYR 132.2K

$28.8K MYR 119K

$35.6K MYR 146.8K

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

$42.87 MYR 177

$23.2 MYR 95.7

$70.2 MYR 290

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

$9.24 MYR 38.14

$5.96 MYR 24.61

$14.31 MYR 59.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.69 MYR 118

$22.33 MYR 92.1

$39.5 MYR 163

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.31 MYR 150

$19.7 MYR 81.3

$46.36 MYR 191

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.88 MYR 24.27

$3.53 MYR 14.58

$5.88 MYR 24.27

Cinema Ticket

$2.9 MYR 11.98

$2.17 MYR 8.98

$3.63 MYR 14.99

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

$185 MYR 764

$116 MYR 480

$256 MYR 1,055

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,946 MYR 28.7K

$3,552 MYR 14.7K

$11.4K MYR 46.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61 MYR 252

$35.46 MYR 146

$82.8 MYR 342

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.83 MYR 111

$15.04 MYR 62.1

$43.37 MYR 179

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.8 MYR 296

$37.03 MYR 153

$92.6 MYR 382

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.2 MYR 211

$29.74 MYR 123

$107 MYR 442

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$384 MYR 1,583

$234 MYR 964

$432 MYR 1,784

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$264 MYR 1,091

$139 MYR 572

$297 MYR 1,226

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$646 MYR 2,664

$449 MYR 1,852

$1,039 MYR 4,288

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$472 MYR 1,948

$283 MYR 1,169

$661 MYR 2,728

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,774 MYR 7,323

$1,195 MYR 4,930

$1,800 MYR 7,430

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,143 MYR 4,715

$583 MYR 2,407

$1,349 MYR 5,569

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: December 1, 2025

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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.