Kota Kinabalu is the cheapest of Malaysia's 4 priced cities — $523 a month in essentials, 25% below Kuala Lumpur at $698. The average net salary of $584 covers that 1.1×. 105.3 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at unit level. PM2.5 averages 10.7 µg/m³ a year, 2× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 28°C, May 29°C.
Monthly cost breakdown
Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.
| Item | Monthly USD |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed outside centre | $189 |
| Rent, 1-bed city centre | $430 |
| Groceries | $111 |
| Dining out | $84 |
| Utilities | $97 |
| Local transport | $42 |
| Essentials / mo | $523 |
| Avg net salary | $584 |
| Rent, 3-bed outside centre | $372 |
| Rent, 3-bed city centre | $672 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.
Everyday prices
What single items cost in Kota Kinabalu, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.
Eating out
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $3.66 |
| Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses | $19.53 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $4.88 |
| Cappuccino, regular | $2.64 |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught | $2.44 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle | $3.66 |
| Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L | $0.57 |
| Water, 0.33 L bottle | $0.31 |
Groceries
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Milk, 1 L | $1.77 |
| White bread, 500 g | $1.30 |
| White rice, 1 kg | $2.32 |
| Eggs, 12 | $2.67 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | $28.08 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | $3.66 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $2.20 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $1.40 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $1.95 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | $1.71 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $2.08 |
| Water, 1.5 L bottle | $0.46 |
Transport & bills
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket, local transport | $1.95 |
| Monthly transit pass | $42.46 |
| Taxi start | $1.95 |
| Taxi, 1 km | $0.24 |
| Gasoline, 1 L | $0.71 |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² flat | $69.09 |
| Internet, 60 Mbps+ | $27.43 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | $9.42 |
Leisure
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Gym, monthly | $51.27 |
| Cinema, one seat | $5.25 |
Dating-age sex ratio
Kota Kinabalu has 105.3 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (unit level). That is the lowest of the 6 Malaysia cities we track. Malaysia's national figure is 116.6, so Kota Kinabalu runs 11 below the country as a whole.
Every Malaysia region by male-to-female ratio →
A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.
Climate & air
Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg | Feels | Humidity | Cloud | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27.7°C | 34.3°C | 88% | 84% | 298 mm |
| Feb | 27.8°C | 34.1°C | 86% | 77% | 149 mm |
| Mar | 28.2°C | 34.9°C | 86% | 76% | 166 mm |
| Apr | 28.8°C | 36°C | 86% | 75% | 208 mm |
| May | 29°C | 36.4°C | 87% | 85% | 317 mm |
| Jun | 28.5°C | 35.3°C | 86% | 91% | 272 mm |
| Jul | 28.3°C | 34.7°C | 85% | 89% | 230 mm |
| Aug | 28.4°C | 34.8°C | 84% | 87% | 260 mm |
| Sep | 28.2°C | 34.6°C | 85% | 89% | 235 mm |
| Oct | 28°C | 34.5°C | 87% | 91% | 314 mm |
| Nov | 28°C | 34.9°C | 89% | 89% | 310 mm |
| Dec | 27.9°C | 34.7°C | 89% | 89% | 311 mm |
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