Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Editor
March 12, 2023
Kota Kinabalu, located in the Malaysian state of Sabah, is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore. With its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture, Kota Kinabalu offers something for everyone. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive option for digital nomads on a budget. The city is also well-connected, with an international airport and a variety of transportation options. Additionally, the city is home to a number of coworking spaces, cafes, and other amenities that make it an ideal place to work remotely. The city also boasts a number of attractions, including the iconic Mount Kinabalu, the world’s highest peak on the island of Borneo. With its diverse culture, stunning scenery, and affordable cost of living, Kota Kinabalu is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore.
Living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
74%
Quality of life -
25%
Cost of living -
66%
Connectivity -
59%
Weather
47
General
| Currency | MYR |
| Population (in millions) | 0.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Unranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 20 |
| Top selling local beer | Tuak |
| Most popular local dish | Laksa |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Mount Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Manukan Island |
| Discount airline | AirAsia |
| Major airline | Malaysia Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Grab |
| Primary train stations | Tanjung Aru, Putatan, Inanam |
| Primary airports | Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Labuan Airport, Tawau Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 40000 MYR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Lot G-23, Ground Floor, Wisma Merdeka, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | G |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Senheng |
| Best internet carrier | Unifi |
| Primary cellular carrier | Celcom |
| Average monthly cost for internet | RM150.00 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Watsons |
| Best restaurant chain | Warisan |
| The best grocery store | Giant |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $14,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 6% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 500 MYR |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Maybank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 999 (general), 991 (police), 994 (ambulance), 993 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Islam |
Quality of life
74%
-
51%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
117%
Property to income -
49%
Crime -
67%
Healthcare -
59%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | MYR 2,333 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 4.33% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | MYR 344 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | MYR 31,500 |
Cost of living
25%
-
Purchasing Power
38%
-
Rent
9%
-
Food
48%
-
Restaurant
22%
-
Workspace
60%
-
Transport
42%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 1,425.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 850.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 2,216.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 1,262.50 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | MYR 33.33 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | MYR 6.40 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | MYR 4.43 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | MYR 6.74 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | MYR 116.67 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | MYR 2.45 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | MYR 75.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | MYR 9.67 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 13.50 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | MYR 17.50 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | MYR 19.77 |
| Apples (1kg) | MYR 8.58 |
| Oranges (1kg) | MYR 19.33 |
| Potato (1kg) | MYR 3.74 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | MYR 4.50 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | MYR 4.23 |
| Tomato (1kg) | MYR 5.50 |
| Banana (1kg) | MYR 4.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | MYR 4.26 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | MYR 30.39 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | MYR 12.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | MYR 80.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | MYR 18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | MYR 14.28 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 22.50 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 2.64 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 1.42 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | MYR 12.67 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | MYR 163.64 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | MYR 0.25 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | MYR 125.33 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | MYR 105.77 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | MYR 33.33 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | MYR 17.50 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | MYR 3.25 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | MYR 45.21 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | MYR 2.05 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 125,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 123,217.33 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | MYR 4.52 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | MYR 2.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | MYR 30.80 |