Cost of Living Comparison Between Penang and Cyberjaya, Selangor Cost of Living Comparison Between Penang and Cyberjaya, Selangor

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $862 per month in Penang vs $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,379 per month in Penang vs $1,222 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,895 per month in Penang vs $1,629 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.

Penang costs about 6% more than Cyberjaya, Selangor, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Penang and Cyberjaya, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Penang 36% lower, Cyberjaya, Selangor 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.10 MYR 12.24

$3.21 MYR 12.69

-3.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.13 MYR 83.5

$13.99 MYR 55.2

51.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.12 MYR 16.27

$4.73 MYR 18.69

-12.90%

Cappuccino

$2.88 MYR 11.36

$1.61 MYR 6.38

78.88%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 MYR 2.75

$0.70 MYR 2.76

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 MYR 1.32

$0.26 MYR 1.03

26.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.30 MYR 16.98

$1.95 MYR 7.69

120.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.43 MYR 17.51

$3.59 MYR 14.20

23.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 MYR 7.48

$1.75 MYR 6.90

8.00%

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 MYR 4.05

$0.98 MYR 3.89

5.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.99 MYR 7.86

$1.26 MYR 4.97

57.94%

Eggs

$2.04 MYR 8.07

$1.35 MYR 5.33

51.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.30 MYR 68.4

$15.79 MYR 62.4

9.56%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.95 MYR 19.54

$2.66 MYR 10.52

86.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.01 MYR 59.3

$4.07 MYR 16.06

268.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 MYR 11.38

$2.45 MYR 9.67

17.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 MYR 5.96

$1.07 MYR 4.22

41.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.63 MYR 10.38

$1.84 MYR 7.26

42.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.09 MYR 8.24

$1.04 MYR 4.09

100.96%

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.64

$0.68 MYR 2.69

73.53%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 MYR 4.63

$0.70 MYR 2.76

67.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 MYR 3.59

$1.16 MYR 4.59

-21.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 MYR 1.91

$0.46 MYR 1.80

4.35%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.29 MYR 16.94

$4.22 MYR 16.68

1.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.41 MYR 76.7

$14.30 MYR 56.5

35.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 MYR 10.82

$1.74 MYR 6.88

57.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 MYR 13.39

$2.05 MYR 8.08

65.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 MYR 1.80

$0.97 MYR 3.84

-52.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.53 MYR 69.3

$11.71 MYR 46.26

49.70%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.74 MYR 2.94

$0.68 MYR 2.67

8.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 MYR 2.10

$0.99 MYR 3.92

-46.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.95 MYR 27.46

$5.93 MYR 23.42

17.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.82

$0.46 MYR 1.81

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.5K MYR 132.3K

$30.8K MYR 121.8K

8.63%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.9K MYR 110.3K

$28.9K MYR 114.3K

-3.51%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$39.31 MYR 155

$45.69 MYR 180

-13.96%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.23 MYR 40.40

$8.84 MYR 34.94

15.72%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.17 MYR 123

$24.42 MYR 96.5

27.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.28 MYR 131

$51.1 MYR 202

-34.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.39 MYR 21.30

$10.52 MYR 41.55

-48.76%

Cinema Ticket

$4.81 MYR 19.01

$4.99 MYR 19.73

-3.61%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$240 MYR 947

$185 MYR 732

29.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,163 MYR 24.3K

$7,045 MYR 27.8K

-12.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 MYR 215

$66.1 MYR 261

-17.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.08 MYR 115

$18.80 MYR 74.3

54.68%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.4 MYR 239

$59.2 MYR 234

2.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.6 MYR 208

$39.85 MYR 157

32.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$381 MYR 1,503

$295 MYR 1,166

28.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$227 MYR 895

$286 MYR 1,130

-20.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$639 MYR 2,524

$598 MYR 2,363

6.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$526 MYR 2,077

$513 MYR 2,025

2.60%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,317 MYR 9,153

$887 MYR 3,505

161.16%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,197 MYR 4,729

$825 MYR 3,260

45.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$968 MYR 3,824

$1,818 MYR 7,182

-46.76%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

4.07

2.21%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Penang: April 27, 2026

Last update for Cyberjaya, Selangor: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $381 in Penang versus $295 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 88% higher in Cyberjaya, Selangor, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $21.00 in Penang versus $14.00 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $286 vs $197 – making Cyberjaya, Selangor the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Penang vs Cyberjaya, Selangor: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $862 in Penang, $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor – roughly 6% apart. Penang costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,294 per month in Penang and $1,223 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Cyberjaya, Selangor, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $240 per month in Penang and $185 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 45% more in Penang, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $862 in Penang and $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Penang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor to $862 in Penang. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Cyberjaya, Selangor. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Penang makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.