Cost of Living in Penang - Updated Prices & Insights

38.37

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $586 (excluding rent), and $837 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,307 (excluding rent), and $1,859 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.04 MYR 12.8

$2.34 MYR 9.87

$7.01 MYR 29.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.45 MYR 90.5

$17.88 MYR 75.4

$35.75 MYR 151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.12 MYR 17.36

$4.1 MYR 17.28

$4.57 MYR 19.29

Cappuccino

$2.97 MYR 12.53

$1.71 MYR 7.21

$3.63 MYR 15.29

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

$0.68 MYR 2.86

$0.45 MYR 1.89

$1.35 MYR 5.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 MYR 1.41

$0.23 MYR 0.97

$0.45 MYR 1.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.25 MYR 17.92

$3.45 MYR 14.55

$5.74 MYR 24.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.38 MYR 18.48

$3.51 MYR 14.8

$5.15 MYR 21.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 MYR 7.66

$1.38 MYR 5.84

$2.32 MYR 9.77

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 MYR 4.34

$0.88 MYR 3.7

$1.23 MYR 5.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.94 MYR 8.19

$1.6 MYR 6.76

$2.39 MYR 10.07

Eggs

$2.07 MYR 8.73

$1.15 MYR 4.84

$2.69 MYR 11.36

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.5 MYR 73.8

$9.29 MYR 39.16

$23.82 MYR 100

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.04 MYR 21.27

$2.8 MYR 11.83

$7.47 MYR 31.51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.94 MYR 63

$7.14 MYR 30.12

$23.81 MYR 100

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 MYR 11.92

$1.64 MYR 6.9

$3.74 MYR 15.77

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 6.07

$0.91 MYR 3.85

$1.72 MYR 7.26

Oranges (1kg)

$2.73 MYR 11.51

$1.7 MYR 7.17

$3.4 MYR 14.33

Tomato (1kg)

$2.11 MYR 8.9

$0.93 MYR 3.91

$3.72 MYR 15.68

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.77

$0.69 MYR 2.92

$2.05 MYR 8.63

Onion (1kg)

$1.2 MYR 5.07

$0.72 MYR 3.02

$2.62 MYR 11.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 MYR 4

$0.36 MYR 1.5

$1.54 MYR 6.49

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 MYR 2.07

$0.27 MYR 1.14

$0.74 MYR 3.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.11 MYR 17.35

$3.98 MYR 16.78

$4.35 MYR 18.33

Wine (Bottle)

$13.97 MYR 58.9

$4.19 MYR 17.66

$20.95 MYR 88.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 MYR 11.02

$2.45 MYR 10.32

$3 MYR 12.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 MYR 14.19

$2.3 MYR 9.71

$4.6 MYR 19.38

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.45 MYR 1.91

$0.68 MYR 2.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.37 MYR 73.2

$11.57 MYR 48.8

$50.3 MYR 212

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.69 MYR 2.91

$2.3 MYR 9.69

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.51 MYR 2.14

$0.21 MYR 0.91

$1.31 MYR 5.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.12 MYR 30.02

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.5 MYR 2.11

$0.51 MYR 2.16

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

$33.4K MYR 140.7K

$28.1K MYR 118.5K

$38.6K MYR 163K

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

$27.5K MYR 116.1K

$27.2K MYR 114.5K

$34.2K MYR 144.4K

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

$39.39 MYR 166

$24.01 MYR 101

$60 MYR 253

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

$10.11 MYR 42.63

$5.88 MYR 24.79

$14.11 MYR 59.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.02 MYR 131

$23.15 MYR 97.6

$39.76 MYR 168

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.81 MYR 138

$16.53 MYR 69.7

$56.7 MYR 239

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.48 MYR 23.11

$3.53 MYR 14.87

$5.87 MYR 24.75

Cinema Ticket

$4.83 MYR 20.37

$3.45 MYR 14.57

$8.05 MYR 33.95

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

$238 MYR 1,005

$153 MYR 647

$331 MYR 1,394

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,199 MYR 26.1K

$3,536 MYR 14.9K

$25K MYR 105.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.2 MYR 229

$23.32 MYR 98.4

$93.3 MYR 393

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.37 MYR 120

$20.84 MYR 87.9

$46.32 MYR 195

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.1 MYR 253

$39.27 MYR 166

$115 MYR 487

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.2 MYR 220

$35.02 MYR 148

$70 MYR 295

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$382 MYR 1,610

$198 MYR 834

$698 MYR 2,942

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$228 MYR 963

$119 MYR 503

$357 MYR 1,508

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$636 MYR 2,683

$350 MYR 1,475

$1,049 MYR 4,426

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$532 MYR 2,243

$288 MYR 1,215

$841 MYR 3,545

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,609 MYR 11K

$2,006 MYR 8,460

$3,032 MYR 12.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,878 MYR 7,919

$1,299 MYR 5,479

$2,554 MYR 10.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,098 MYR 4,632

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

5.25

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Penang - Frequently Asked Questions

Penang offers a balanced mix of value and quality for a longer visit. The Cost of Living in Penang, Malaysia sits in a comfortable middle ground: you can enjoy cheap street meals and inexpensive local shopping while finding reasonably priced rental options in several neighborhoods. Value tends to come from integrating low-cost dining, public transport, and public spaces into your routine, rather than chasing luxury. Digital nomads often succeed by choosing a walkable base near markets or universities and using co-working spaces a few days a week. Tip: scout neighborhoods by walkability and proximity to groceries to keep expenses predictable.

Daily life in Penang revolves around accessibility and variety. For housing, you’ll find a mix of older flats, newer builds, and guesthouses, with rental terms often flexible for shorter stays. Food is a highlight: hawker centers, street stalls, and casual cafes let you balance flavor, speed, and price. Getting around is easy in a compact city layout – ride-hailing, buses, and affordable bikes or scooters are common. If you work remotely, seek out a friendly co-working hub, libraries, or cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi, and plan errands around morning markets. Penang, Malaysia living cost reflects the blend of affordability and lifestyle quality that many nomads enjoy. Tip: map out a daily routine that groups groceries, meals, and work spots to cut transit time.

Quality of life in Penang rises when you adopt a simple budgeting framework and choose a neighborhood that suits your pace. A practical approach is to section expenses by housing, food, transport, and leisure, then adjust monthly goals as the season changes – while keeping a small buffer for festivals or weather shifts. Embrace the local habit of shopping at markets for produce and cooking at home several nights a week, which pays off without sacrificing flavor. Favor neighborhoods with easy access to transit, a vibrant food scene, and parks, rather than chasing only nightlife. Tip: pick a base with reliable Wi‑Fi, easy grocery access, and good scooter or bus links to minimize daily costs.