Kota Kinabalu

🇲🇾Malaysia•Southeast Asia

City Score

"A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure."

City Metrics

Cost of Living42

Safety88

Healthcare74

Career Opportunities67

Climate61

Transport78

Air Quality77.5

Family Friendliness82

Education73

Top Neighborhoods

Central Core

Historic Quarter

Modern Suburbs

Housing Reality

Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

Getting Around

Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

Other Cities in Malaysia

Frequently Asked Questions

▸Is Kota Kinabalu a good place to live?

Kota Kinabalu scores 70/100 overall. It is relatively expensive (cost score: 42/100), very safe (safety: 88/100), and has excellent healthcare (healthcare: 74/100). Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.

▸What is the cost of living in Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu has a cost of living score of 42/100 (higher = more affordable). Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

▸How do I get around Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu has a transport score of 78/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

▸What are the best neighborhoods in Kota Kinabalu?

The most recommended neighborhoods in Kota Kinabalu are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.

▸Is Kota Kinabalu safe for expats?

Kota Kinabalu has a safety score of 88/100. The city very safe and has an air quality score of 77.5/100.

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City Deep Dive

Is Kota Kinabalu actually livable? See neighborhood rankings, real cost breakdowns, and local quality-of-life scores

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