Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $568 (excluding rent), and $870 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,348 (excluding rent), and $1,735 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.58 MYR 14.53

$2.39 MYR 9.69

$5.95 MYR 24.17

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.92 MYR 76.8

$13.25 MYR 53.8

$47.31 MYR 192

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.06 MYR 16.47

$3.49 MYR 14.15

$4.64 MYR 18.83

Cappuccino

$2.31 MYR 9.37

$1.19 MYR 4.85

$2.86 MYR 11.63

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

$0.74 MYR 3.00

$0.58 MYR 2.36

$1.16 MYR 4.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 MYR 1.61

$0.25 MYR 1.02

$0.74 MYR 3.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 MYR 9.82

$1.94 MYR 7.87

$2.90 MYR 11.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 MYR 13.74

$2.42 MYR 9.83

$4.35 MYR 17.65

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 MYR 6.51

$1.28 MYR 5.19

$1.93 MYR 7.84

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 MYR 5.28

$0.78 MYR 3.15

$1.84 MYR 7.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 MYR 6.83

$0.34 MYR 1.40

$3.01 MYR 12.22

Eggs

$2.06 MYR 8.38

$1.12 MYR 4.53

$2.69 MYR 10.91

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.03 MYR 61.0

$3.54 MYR 14.35

$24.75 MYR 100

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.38 MYR 17.78

$2.84 MYR 11.54

$6.61 MYR 26.83

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.68 MYR 39.28

$4.35 MYR 17.66

$16.00 MYR 64.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 MYR 11.64

$1.62 MYR 6.58

$4.16 MYR 16.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 MYR 5.92

$0.70 MYR 2.82

$1.85 MYR 7.51

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 MYR 10.17

$1.21 MYR 4.91

$4.17 MYR 16.92

Tomato (1kg)

$1.37 MYR 5.56

$0.68 MYR 2.76

$2.29 MYR 9.30

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 MYR 5.02

$0.48 MYR 1.95

$2.41 MYR 9.79

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MYR 5.14

$0.46 MYR 1.86

$2.30 MYR 9.33

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.23

$0.73 MYR 2.94

$1.74 MYR 7.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 MYR 2.30

$0.37 MYR 1.49

$0.75 MYR 3.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.29 MYR 17.40

$3.58 MYR 14.53

$5.12 MYR 20.80

Wine (Bottle)

$17.83 MYR 72.4

$12.30 MYR 49.95

$19.68 MYR 79.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.77 MYR 11.25

$1.65 MYR 6.71

$3.33 MYR 13.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 MYR 11.78

$1.74 MYR 7.07

$4.63 MYR 18.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.70 MYR 2.84

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$0.93 MYR 3.76

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.94 MYR 48.47

$9.56 MYR 38.80

$11.94 MYR 48.47

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.19 MYR 4.85

$0.72 MYR 2.92

$1.43 MYR 5.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.02 MYR 4.16

$0.68 MYR 2.76

$1.36 MYR 5.52

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.74 MYR 23.30

$4.59 MYR 18.63

$6.89 MYR 27.97

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 2.03

$0.51 MYR 2.07

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

$35.9K MYR 146.0K

$39.5K MYR 160.5K

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

$31.4K MYR 127.5K

$28.3K MYR 114.8K

$34.9K MYR 141.6K

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

$44.04 MYR 179

$23.83 MYR 96.7

$72.1 MYR 293

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

$9.01 MYR 36.58

$5.81 MYR 23.60

$13.96 MYR 56.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.27 MYR 119

$22.78 MYR 92.5

$40.29 MYR 164

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.38 MYR 152

$20.28 MYR 82.3

$47.73 MYR 194

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.88 MYR 23.86

$3.53 MYR 14.34

$5.88 MYR 23.86

Cinema Ticket

$2.75 MYR 11.15

$2.06 MYR 8.36

$3.44 MYR 13.95

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

$190 MYR 771

$119 MYR 485

$263 MYR 1,066

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,787 MYR 27.6K

$3,471 MYR 14.1K

$11.1K MYR 45.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.5 MYR 246

$35.20 MYR 143

$82.1 MYR 333

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.72 MYR 113

$15.53 MYR 63.1

$44.80 MYR 182

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.6 MYR 299

$38.00 MYR 154

$95.0 MYR 386

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.8 MYR 206

$29.50 MYR 120

$106 MYR 431

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 MYR 1,589

$238 MYR 968

$441 MYR 1,790

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 MYR 1,085

$140 MYR 569

$300 MYR 1,219

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$655 MYR 2,658

$455 MYR 1,847

$1,053 MYR 4,277

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$478 MYR 1,942

$287 MYR 1,165

$670 MYR 2,718

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,706 MYR 6,928

$1,271 MYR 5,162

$2,122 MYR 8,617

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$747 MYR 3,031

$488 MYR 1,980

$1,120 MYR 4,545

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: January 12, 2026

Tawau Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

193

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.