Cost of living in Kuching
compared to
Cost of living in Kuching vs. Malaysia overall average
Kuching is 1.7% more expensive than Malaysia overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 5.2% less in Kuching
- Groceries
-
pay 0.2% more in Kuching
- Transportation
-
pay 15.8% more in Kuching
- Housing
-
pay 15.0% less in Kuching
- Childcare
-
pay 4.8% less in Kuching
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 3.3% more in Kuching
- Clothing
-
pay 17.6% more in Kuching
The cost of clothing, transportation, entertainment and sports, and groceries in Kuching are more expensive than in Malaysia. Expenses including housing, restaurants, and childcare are lower in Kuching.
Kuching Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$2.84
MYR11.69
|
$2.37
-
$5.45
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$4.74
MYR19.48
|
$4.74
-
$4.74
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.75
MYR3.08
|
$0.59
-
$0.95
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.32
MYR1.30
|
$0.24
-
$0.47
|
Kuching - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$1.18
MYR4.84
|
$0.95
-
$1.54
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$4.92
MYR20.21
|
$3.08
-
$11.85
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$7.89
MYR32.45
|
$5.83
-
$9.78
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.37
MYR9.74
|
$1.61
-
$2.84
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$1.81
MYR7.46
|
$1.29
-
$2.36
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.39
MYR5.73
|
$1.07
-
$1.61
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.55
MYR2.26
|
$0.43
-
$0.75
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.18
MYR4.86
|
$0.85
-
$1.93
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.82
MYR3.38
|
$0.59
-
$1.07
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.53
MYR2.19
|
$0.32
-
$0.96
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.57
MYR2.33
|
$0.41
-
$0.86
|
Kuching - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$1.84
MYR7.56
|
$1.84
-
$1.84
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$11.85
MYR48.71
|
$7.11
-
$35.55
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$45,319.91
MYR186,310.13
|
$43,838.86
-
$46,800.95
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$10.43
MYR42.86
|
$8.53
-
$12.56
|
Kuching - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$25.28
MYR103.91
|
$18.48
-
$35.07
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$267.58
MYR1,100.00
|
$207.35
-
$355.45
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$203.40
MYR836.16
|
$142.18
-
$308.06
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$30.37
MYR124.85
|
$18.12
-
$39.87
|
Kuching - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$138.86
MYR570.86
|
$94.79
-
$232.23
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$6,793.05
MYR27,926.22
|
$5,568.72
-
$8,056.87
|
Kuching - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$3.79
MYR15.59
|
$1.66
-
$5.92
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.18
MYR13.07
|
$2.13
-
$4.03
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$4.27
MYR17.54
|
$4.24
-
$4.74
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$32.23
MYR132.49
|
$17.77
-
$42.65
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$4.74
MYR19.48
|
$4.27
-
$5.21
|
Kuching - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$66.02
MYR271.40
|
$47.39
-
$87.44
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$31.99
MYR131.51
|
$11.85
-
$70.85
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$87.06
MYR357.91
|
$71.09
-
$94.55
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$72.94
MYR299.85
|
$23.70
-
$94.79
|
Kuching - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Malaysia
to see the average cost of cities throughout Malaysia, like
Kuantan,
Kuala Terengganu,
Bintulu,
Klang,
Johor Bahru,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in Malaysia compared to Kuching.
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