Living in Sabah — The Complete Resident Guide

The 'I live here / I'm moving here' section. Everything a resident needs for daily life in Sabah.

🏠

RM1,200 – 2,000

Rent in KK

2-bed condo/month

🏫

International Schools

Including KIS and JIS

🏥

QE Hospital

Main Hospital

775 beds, largest in Sabah

💰

RM1,700

Min Wage

2025 national rate

🌡️

30 – 32°C

Temperature

Days · Nights 23 – 24°C

🛍️

Shopping Malls

In Kota Kinabalu

📶

Unifi + Celcom

Internet

Fibre & mobile available

🌴

Relaxed

Lifestyle

Slower pace than KL

💵

Cost of Living

Rent, food, transport, utilities by area

For Locals 🏘️

Where to Live in KK

Residential areas by budget and lifestyle

For Locals 🏫

Schools Directory

Public, private, international — with fee ranges

For Locals 🎓

Education in Sabah

Universities, TVET, school system, scholarships and challenges

For Everyone 🏥

Healthcare Guide

Public vs private, insurance tips

For Locals 📦

Moving to Sabah

Step-by-step checklist for expats and relocators

For Locals 🧾

Home Bills in Sabah

Electricity, water and internet bills in one place, with free calculators

For Locals 💡

Electricity Tariff & Subsidy

What you pay per kWh from Feb 2026, and why

For Locals 🏡

Rural Electrification

Which villages still lack 24-hour power, and why

For Locals 🗺️

NCR Land Explained

Native customary rights, claims and communal titles

For Locals ☀️

Energy Efficiency & Rooftop Solar

SEEAP and the Solar Rakyat Sabah scheme

For Locals 📶

Internet & Mobile

Which telco works where, coverage maps

For Locals 🌏

Expat Relocation

MM2H visa, employment passes, property, schools, banking, and community

For Expats 👶

Kids Activities

Free and paid activities by age group, rainy day saves, school holidays

For Parents 👨‍👩‍👧

Parenting in Sabah

Schools, childcare, paediatric healthcare and family financial support

For Parents