Cost of Living in Tawau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $464 (excluding rent), and $868 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,152 (excluding rent), and $1,714 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.61 MYR 14.26

$2.41 MYR 9.51

$6.01 MYR 23.73

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.87 MYR 74.5

$13.21 MYR 52.2

$47.19 MYR 186

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.22 MYR 16.68

$3.63 MYR 14.33

$4.83 MYR 19.06

Cappuccino

$2.24 MYR 8.84

$1.16 MYR 4.57

$2.78 MYR 10.97

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

$0.73 MYR 2.90

$0.58 MYR 2.28

$1.16 MYR 4.57

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MYR 1.55

$0.25 MYR 0.98

$0.73 MYR 2.90

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.40 MYR 9.50

$1.93 MYR 7.61

$2.88 MYR 11.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 MYR 12.86

$2.33 MYR 9.20

$4.18 MYR 16.52

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 MYR 6.33

$1.28 MYR 5.04

$1.93 MYR 7.62

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 MYR 5.19

$0.78 MYR 3.10

$1.85 MYR 7.32

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.75 MYR 6.91

$0.36 MYR 1.41

$3.13 MYR 12.37

Eggs

$2.12 MYR 8.39

$1.15 MYR 4.53

$2.76 MYR 10.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.22 MYR 60.1

$3.58 MYR 14.14

$25.05 MYR 99.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.49 MYR 17.72

$2.91 MYR 11.50

$6.77 MYR 26.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.48 MYR 37.45

$4.26 MYR 16.84

$15.67 MYR 61.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.99 MYR 11.80

$1.69 MYR 6.67

$4.34 MYR 17.14

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 MYR 5.93

$0.72 MYR 2.83

$1.90 MYR 7.52

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 MYR 9.98

$1.22 MYR 4.82

$4.20 MYR 16.60

Tomato (1kg)

$1.39 MYR 5.49

$0.69 MYR 2.73

$2.33 MYR 9.19

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 MYR 4.87

$0.48 MYR 1.89

$2.41 MYR 9.50

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 MYR 5.20

$0.48 MYR 1.88

$2.39 MYR 9.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 MYR 4.07

$0.72 MYR 2.84

$1.72 MYR 6.79

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 MYR 2.05

$0.34 MYR 1.33

$0.68 MYR 2.70

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.18 MYR 16.51

$3.49 MYR 13.78

$5.00 MYR 19.74

Wine (Bottle)

$18.63 MYR 73.6

$12.42 MYR 49.05

$19.86 MYR 78.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 MYR 11.26

$1.70 MYR 6.72

$3.43 MYR 13.55

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 MYR 11.35

$1.72 MYR 6.81

$4.59 MYR 18.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MYR 2.85

$0.48 MYR 1.89

$0.95 MYR 3.77

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.62 MYR 45.88

$9.30 MYR 36.73

$11.62 MYR 45.88

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.21 MYR 4.78

$0.73 MYR 2.88

$1.45 MYR 5.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.00 MYR 3.94

$0.66 MYR 2.61

$1.32 MYR 5.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.98 MYR 23.62

$4.78 MYR 18.89

$7.18 MYR 28.35

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.50 MYR 1.97

$0.51 MYR 2.01

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

$35.8K MYR 141.6K

$39.4K MYR 155.8K

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

$31.2K MYR 123.3K

$28.1K MYR 111.0K

$34.7K MYR 136.9K

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

$44.15 MYR 174

$23.89 MYR 94.4

$72.3 MYR 285

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

$8.88 MYR 35.09

$5.73 MYR 22.64

$13.76 MYR 54.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.73 MYR 113

$22.35 MYR 88.3

$39.55 MYR 156

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.64 MYR 145

$19.88 MYR 78.5

$46.78 MYR 185

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.79 MYR 22.86

$3.48 MYR 13.74

$5.79 MYR 22.86

Cinema Ticket

$2.90 MYR 11.46

$2.17 MYR 8.58

$3.63 MYR 14.33

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

$190 MYR 751

$120 MYR 472

$263 MYR 1,038

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,037 MYR 27.8K

$3,598 MYR 14.2K

$11.5K MYR 45.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.6 MYR 235

$34.65 MYR 137

$80.9 MYR 319

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.15 MYR 107

$15.22 MYR 60.1

$43.89 MYR 173

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.0 MYR 288

$37.67 MYR 149

$94.2 MYR 372

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.7 MYR 204

$30.01 MYR 119

$108 MYR 427

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$383 MYR 1,512

$233 MYR 921

$431 MYR 1,704

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$268 MYR 1,058

$141 MYR 555

$301 MYR 1,189

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$653 MYR 2,580

$454 MYR 1,793

$1,051 MYR 4,152

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$476 MYR 1,882

$286 MYR 1,129

$667 MYR 2,635

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,960 MYR 7,741

$1,435 MYR 5,668

$2,249 MYR 8,882

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$822 MYR 3,246

$622 MYR 2,457

$1,242 MYR 4,906

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$431 MYR 1,702

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 14, 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.