Cost of Living in Kuching

Summary of cost of living in Kuching, Malaysia:

The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $1,990.7 (RM8,077.3), excluding rent (using our estimator).
The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $542.2 (RM2,200.2), excluding rent.
Kuching is 61.5% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
Rent in Kuching is, on average, 87.1% lower than in Seattle.

Restaurants	Edit	Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant	RM13.00	10.00-20.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks)	RM100.00	60.00-250.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal)	RM20.00	20.00-20.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint)	RM19.00	7.00-28.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle)	RM18.00	15.00-25.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size)	RM12.75	9.00-16.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle)	RM3.17	2.50-4.00
Bottled Water (12 oz)	RM1.50	1.00-2.00

Markets	Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter)	RM9.20	6.90-10.90
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf)	RM4.43	3.63-5.90
White Rice (1 lb)	RM2.15	0.91-3.63
Eggs (12, Large Size)	RM10.47	7.20-12.00
Local Cheese (1 lb)	RM18.82	11.79-45.36
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	RM8.08	5.44-9.98
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb)	RM18.23	10.43-35.38
Apples (1 lb)	RM5.88	4.54-6.80
Bananas (1 lb)	RM2.25	1.36-3.18
Oranges (1 lb)	RM4.99	3.58-8.16
Tomatoes (1 lb)	RM3.63	2.49-5.44
Potatoes (1 lb)	RM2.60	1.36-7.71
Onions (1 lb)	RM1.98	1.13-3.63
Lettuce (1 Head)	RM6.00	4.00-12.00
Bottled Water (50 oz)	RM2.17	2.00-2.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	RM85.00	75.00-100.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle)	RM16.90	5.00-24.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle)	RM19.70	10.00-30.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro)	RM19.00	17.90-20.00

Transportation	Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)	RM3.00	1.00-3.50
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price)	RM50.00	30.00-150.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff)	RM4.00	3.50-5.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff)	RM8.05	4.83-8.05
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff)	RM15.00	8.00-40.00
Gasoline (1 Liter)	RM2.50	2.05-3.87
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car)	RM170,560.00	170,560.00-170,560.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car)	RM151,650.00	144,800.00-167,000.00

Utilities (Monthly)	Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	RM167.60	100.00-220.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data)	RM41.50	15.00-50.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher)	RM105.50	78.00-250.00

Sports And Leisure	Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership	RM125.00	75.00-180.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)	RM41.67	25.00-50.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release)	RM20.00	18.00-22.00

Childcare	Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child	RM632.50	450.00-980.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child	RM28,666.67	23,500.00-34,000.00

Clothing And Shoes	Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar)	RM273.25	200.00-300.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M)	RM138.75	50.00-299.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	RM371.75	350.00-399.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes	RM309.75	100.00-400.00

Rent Per Month	Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	RM1,385.00	1,000.00-2,100.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	RM1,030.00	800.00-1,900.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	RM2,591.67	2,000.00-3,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	RM1,682.50	1,500.00-3,500.00

Buy Apartment Price	Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	RM779.92	743.22-799.99
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	RM576.93	538.83-611.95

Salaries And Financing	Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	RM2,183.33
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %)	4.44	4.00-4.75