Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $868 per month with rent, or $471 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,322 per month with rent, or $910 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,776 per month with rent, or $1,349 without housing.

Overall, Tawau is 35–38% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 17% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.47 MYR 13.70

$2.31 MYR 9.14

$5.77 MYR 22.80

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.87 MYR 74.5

$13.21 MYR 52.2

$47.18 MYR 186

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.15 MYR 16.41

$3.57 MYR 14.10

$4.75 MYR 18.76

Cappuccino

$2.24 MYR 8.83

$1.16 MYR 4.57

$2.77 MYR 10.96

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

$0.73 MYR 2.89

$0.57 MYR 2.27

$1.15 MYR 4.54

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.43

$0.23 MYR 0.90

$0.68 MYR 2.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 MYR 9.26

$1.88 MYR 7.42

$2.81 MYR 11.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 MYR 12.81

$2.32 MYR 9.16

$4.17 MYR 16.46

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 MYR 6.05

$1.22 MYR 4.82

$1.84 MYR 7.28

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 MYR 5.43

$0.82 MYR 3.24

$1.94 MYR 7.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 MYR 6.61

$0.34 MYR 1.35

$3.00 MYR 11.84

Eggs

$2.07 MYR 8.16

$1.12 MYR 4.41

$2.69 MYR 10.62

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.18 MYR 60.0

$3.57 MYR 14.11

$25.00 MYR 98.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.23 MYR 16.71

$2.75 MYR 10.84

$6.38 MYR 25.21

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.64 MYR 38.06

$4.33 MYR 17.11

$15.93 MYR 62.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.84 MYR 11.20

$1.60 MYR 6.33

$4.12 MYR 16.27

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 MYR 6.02

$0.73 MYR 2.87

$1.93 MYR 7.63

Oranges (1kg)

$2.52 MYR 9.94

$1.21 MYR 4.79

$4.18 MYR 16.53

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 MYR 5.46

$0.69 MYR 2.71

$2.31 MYR 9.14

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 MYR 4.85

$0.48 MYR 1.89

$2.40 MYR 9.47

Onion (1kg)

$1.29 MYR 5.08

$0.47 MYR 1.84

$2.34 MYR 9.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MYR 4.10

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$1.73 MYR 6.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 MYR 2.23

$0.37 MYR 1.44

$0.74 MYR 2.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 MYR 17.18

$3.63 MYR 14.35

$5.20 MYR 20.55

Wine (Bottle)

$19.25 MYR 76.1

$12.84 MYR 50.7

$20.54 MYR 81.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 MYR 11.00

$1.66 MYR 6.56

$3.35 MYR 13.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 MYR 11.42

$1.74 MYR 6.85

$4.62 MYR 18.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$0.48 MYR 1.88

$0.95 MYR 3.77

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.88 MYR 46.93

$9.51 MYR 37.57

$11.88 MYR 46.93

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MYR 4.55

$0.69 MYR 2.74

$1.38 MYR 5.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.02 MYR 4.04

$0.68 MYR 2.68

$1.36 MYR 5.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.93 MYR 23.44

$4.75 MYR 18.75

$7.12 MYR 28.14

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.83

$0.47 MYR 1.87

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

$35.2K MYR 139.0K

$38.7K MYR 152.9K

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

$31.7K MYR 125.3K

$28.6K MYR 112.9K

$35.2K MYR 139.2K

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

$43.44 MYR 172

$23.51 MYR 92.9

$71.1 MYR 281

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

$9.23 MYR 36.46

$5.96 MYR 23.52

$14.30 MYR 56.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.51 MYR 117

$22.96 MYR 90.7

$40.62 MYR 160

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.18 MYR 147

$20.17 MYR 79.7

$47.47 MYR 188

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.98 MYR 23.61

$3.59 MYR 14.19

$5.98 MYR 23.61

Cinema Ticket

$2.82 MYR 11.13

$2.11 MYR 8.34

$3.53 MYR 13.92

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

$184 MYR 727

$116 MYR 457

$254 MYR 1,005

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,823 MYR 27.0K

$3,489 MYR 13.8K

$11.2K MYR 44.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.8 MYR 244

$35.92 MYR 142

$83.8 MYR 331

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.81 MYR 110

$15.58 MYR 61.6

$44.95 MYR 178

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.4 MYR 290

$37.90 MYR 150

$94.8 MYR 374

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.5 MYR 203

$29.91 MYR 118

$108 MYR 425

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$393 MYR 1,551

$239 MYR 945

$442 MYR 1,748

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$272 MYR 1,075

$143 MYR 564

$306 MYR 1,208

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$640 MYR 2,529

$445 MYR 1,757

$1,030 MYR 4,069

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$465 MYR 1,837

$279 MYR 1,102

$651 MYR 2,572

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,911 MYR 7,550

$1,404 MYR 5,544

$2,200 MYR 8,689

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$908 MYR 3,586

$689 MYR 2,722

$1,376 MYR 5,435

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$434 MYR 1,714

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: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $393, dropping to $272 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 90% of the average salary ($434) – noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

The average net salary is $434 – below monthly costs of $868. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $255 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $19 – well below the Asian average of $35.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $12 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 96% of cities in Asia

Local beer is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Tawau Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.

By most standards, Tawau is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $868, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.

Housing in Tawau takes a heavy bite – about 90% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.

In Tawau, $1,302 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.

Rent is one of Tawau's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $272 to $393 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.

Food in Tawau is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $255 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.

Getting around Tawau by public transport costs about $11.88 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.

$1,000 a month in Tawau? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $868, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

Tawau makes a good retirement base. About $1,302 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.

Tawau is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $868 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.