Forum
Analytics
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#532
,
Nomad Score:
71%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Kota Kinabalu offers a low cost of living compared to many global cities, making it attractive for budget-conscious digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85%
Weight: 80
Affordable rental options ranging from budget apartments to mid-range condos, with prices significantly lower than in Kuala Lumpur.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food provide very affordable and diverse food options; groceries are reasonably priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but inexpensive; taxis and ride-hailing apps are affordable but sometimes necessary due to limited bus routes.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options like cinemas, bars, and local events are affordable but somewhat limited compared to bigger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
75%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable, with several mid-range gyms available; premium gyms are less common.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable with moderate fluctuations; no major currency risks.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
73%
Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds around 50-70 Mbps; mobile internet is decent but can be inconsistent in some areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
61%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces, mostly small and emerging; not as developed as in Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular among locals and tourists.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but lack the extensive infrastructure found in larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads; less crowded and commercialized.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature and beaches supports a good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
71%
Weight: 15
Generally good environment with natural beauty, though urban areas can have some pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
Moderate cleanliness in public spaces; some areas require improvement.
🗨️ Language Barrier
76%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken in tourist and business areas; Malay is the official language.
💨 Air Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be affected by seasonal haze from regional forest fires; generally acceptable most of the year.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Some family-friendly amenities but limited international schools and childcare options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
74%
Weight: 20
Good private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is basic but accessible.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
78%
Weight: 20
Reliable healthcare options with several private clinics and a hospital catering to expats.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; high humidity and frequent rain showers.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
70%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
82%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and nearby mountains provide excellent green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
89%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is standard in most accommodations and public places due to tropical climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
31%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; consistently warm and humid with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; city center can be noisy but suburbs are quieter.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
77%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with diverse ethnic groups and traditional festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
59%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is modest with some bars and clubs, but less vibrant than larger Malaysian cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
93%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, islands, hiking trails, and marine parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
64%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal opportunities to learn Malay and local dialects.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
81%
Weight: 10
Wide range of local tours including island hopping, wildlife, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly malls and cinemas.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
88%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful food scene with local Malaysian, seafood, and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, mostly small and boutique-style.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available; limited variety of specialized fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood; growing health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
72%
Weight: 20
GMT+8 timezone is convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work schedules.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally organized.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
49%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
51%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but slowly growing.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack advanced amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
43%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent with limited funding and support infrastructure.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps and e-wallets are widely used and reliable.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
62%
Weight: 15
Growing interest in crypto but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
71%
Weight: 30
Kota Kinabalu International Airport offers good regional connectivity but limited direct long-haul flights.
🚇 Public Transit
47%
Weight: 20
Public transit options are limited; no metro or extensive bus system.
🚶 Walkability
63%
Weight: 20
City center is moderately walkable; suburban areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
75%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
52%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hot and humid weather can be a deterrent.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
68%
Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services connect to nearby towns and islands; limited train services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are available but less common than in other Southeast Asian cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
79%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas; 5G rollout in progress.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
76%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional short outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
73%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival is straightforward; longer stays require more paperwork.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
Malaysia has moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Moderate freedom of speech with some government restrictions.
🏛️ Political Stability
70%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable political environment with occasional regional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Foreigners can open bank accounts but process requires documentation and can be slow.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves bureaucratic steps and local requirements.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
69%
Weight: 50
Generally welcoming to foreigners and digital nomads but lacks specialized infrastructure.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events; community meetups are informal and sporadic.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
57%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence in digital nomad forums and social media.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly with some cultural conservatism; urban areas are more open.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Multicultural society with good racial tolerance overall.