Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

The ultimate nomad card.

Affiliate disclosure

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia πŸ‡²πŸ‡Ύ

#532 ,
Nomad Score: 71%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ 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.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
75% Weight: 10
Gym memberships are affordable, with several mid-range gyms available; premium gyms are less common.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
79% Weight: 30
Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable with moderate fluctuations; no major currency risks.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
73% Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds around 50-70 Mbps; mobile internet is decent but can be inconsistent in some areas.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
61% Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces, mostly small and emerging; not as developed as in Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
78% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular among locals and tourists.
πŸ’»β˜• 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.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
84% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ 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.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
76% Weight: 30
English widely spoken in tourist and business areas; Malay is the official language.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
65% Weight: 15
Air quality can be affected by seasonal haze from regional forest fires; generally acceptable most of the year.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
60% Weight: 25
Some family-friendly amenities but limited international schools and childcare options.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
74% Weight: 20
Good private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is basic but accessible.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
83% Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western standards.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
78% Weight: 20
Reliable healthcare options with several private clinics and a hospital catering to expats.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
86% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; high humidity and frequent rain showers.
πŸŒͺ️ 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.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
31% Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; consistently warm and humid with wet and dry seasons.
πŸ”Š 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.
πŸŒƒ 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.
πŸ—£οΈ 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.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
70% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available; limited variety of specialized fitness options.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
76% Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood; growing health-conscious eateries.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ 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.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
49% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
πŸ†“ 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.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
43% Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is nascent with limited funding and support infrastructure.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
74% Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps and e-wallets are widely used and reliable.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
62% Weight: 15
Growing interest in crypto but regulatory environment is cautious.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
71% Weight: 30
Kota Kinabalu International Airport offers good regional connectivity but limited direct long-haul flights.
πŸš‡ 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.
πŸš— 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.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
68% Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services connect to nearby towns and islands; limited train services.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
67% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are available but less common than in other Southeast Asian cities.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
79% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas; 5G rollout in progress.
πŸ”’ 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.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
65% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and some public areas but not widespread.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
73% Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival is straightforward; longer stays require more paperwork.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
60% Weight: 30
Malaysia has moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
65% Weight: 15
Moderate freedom of speech with some government restrictions.
πŸ›οΈ 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.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
62% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves bureaucratic steps and local requirements.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ 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.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
57% Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence in digital nomad forums and social media.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ 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.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

  • Navigate
  • Tools