City in Sarawak, Malaysia
Cost of living in Kuching
How much a month costs in Kuching
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $857–1,270 (RM3,500–5,200).
Prices in Kuching
Typical 2026 ranges in MYR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MYR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | RM1,100–2,200 | $269–539 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | RM700–1,500 | $171–367 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | RM30–65 | $7.3–15.9 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | RM120–260 | $29–64 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | RM7–14 | $1.7–3.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | RM30–60 | $7.3–14.7 |
| Cappuccino | RM9–16 | $2.2–3.9 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | RM15–30 | $3.7–7.3 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | RM2–5 | $0.5–1.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | RM10–20 | $2.4–4.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | RM100–200 | $24–49 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | RM30–60 | $7.3–14.7 |
Value for money: 87/100
A value score of 87/100 means Kuching gives more quality of life per dollar than 86% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 65/100. It's the 6th most affordable of 16 places we cover in Malaysia.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Malaysia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ipoh | $735–1,100 | 92/100 |
| Cameron Highlands | $783–1,180 | 90/100 |
| Sandakan | $783–1,180 | 91/100 |
| Taman Negara | $735–1,220 | 89/100 |
| Malacca | $857–1,270 | 85/100 |
| Kuching | $857–1,270 | 87/100 |
| Perhentian Islands | $930–1,350 | 85/100 |
| Tioman | $930–1,350 | 84/100 |
| Langkawi | $930–1,420 | 81/100 |
| Kota Kinabalu | $979–1,470 | 81/100 |
| Johor Bahru | $979–1,470 | 71/100 |
| Semporna | $979–1,590 | 63/100 |
| Penang | $1,030–1,590 | 74/100 |
| Genting Highlands | $1,100–1,710 | 71/100 |
| Kuala Lumpur | $1,220–1,960 | 57/100 |
| Redang | $1,220–1,960 | 62/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Kuching
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hue | Vietnam | $578–963 |
| Phong Nha | Vietnam | $539–848 |
| Sukhothai | Thailand | $656–1,040 |
| Ninh Binh | Vietnam | $539–925 |
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Kuching?
About $465–661 on a lean budget, $857–1,270 for a comfortable month and $1,710–2,940 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Kuching?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs RM1,100–2,200 ($269–539) a month in the center and RM700–1,500 ($171–367) outside it.
How much does food cost in Kuching?
A local meal is RM7–14 ($1.7–3.4); a mid-range restaurant is RM30–60 ($7.3–14.7) per person.
Is Malaysia expensive?
Prices in Malaysia are about 32% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Kuching
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Sarawak Tourism Board
- Kuching International Airport (Malaysia Airports)
- Grab Malaysia
- Normah Medical Specialist Centre
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.