Cost of Living in Penang - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $579 (excluding rent), and $839 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,334 (excluding rent), and $1,894 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.1 MYR 12.79

$2.39 MYR 9.87

$7.17 MYR 29.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.62 MYR 89.2

$18.02 MYR 74.3

$36.04 MYR 149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.16 MYR 17.15

$4.14 MYR 17.06

$4.62 MYR 19.05

Cappuccino

$2.97 MYR 12.24

$1.71 MYR 7.05

$3.62 MYR 14.94

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

$0.73 MYR 3.03

$0.49 MYR 2

$1.46 MYR 6.01

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 MYR 1.4

$0.23 MYR 0.96

$0.46 MYR 1.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.24 MYR 17.5

$3.45 MYR 14.21

$5.73 MYR 23.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.33 MYR 17.88

$3.47 MYR 14.32

$5.09 MYR 20.99

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 MYR 7.44

$1.38 MYR 5.67

$2.3 MYR 9.5

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 MYR 4.07

$0.84 MYR 3.47

$1.18 MYR 4.88

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.02 MYR 8.31

$1.66 MYR 6.86

$2.48 MYR 10.22

Eggs

$2.14 MYR 8.82

$1.19 MYR 4.9

$2.78 MYR 11.48

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.38 MYR 71.7

$9.22 MYR 38.05

$23.66 MYR 97.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.16 MYR 21.28

$2.87 MYR 11.83

$7.64 MYR 31.52

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.03 MYR 62

$7.18 MYR 29.63

$23.95 MYR 98.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 MYR 11.45

$1.61 MYR 6.63

$3.67 MYR 15.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MYR 6.05

$0.93 MYR 3.84

$1.75 MYR 7.23

Oranges (1kg)

$2.68 MYR 11.05

$1.67 MYR 6.88

$3.34 MYR 13.76

Tomato (1kg)

$2.15 MYR 8.87

$0.94 MYR 3.9

$3.79 MYR 15.63

Potato (1kg)

$1.14 MYR 4.7

$0.7 MYR 2.88

$2.06 MYR 8.51

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 MYR 4.85

$0.7 MYR 2.89

$2.56 MYR 10.55

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 MYR 3.74

$0.34 MYR 1.41

$1.47 MYR 6.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$0.25 MYR 1.04

$0.69 MYR 2.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.31 MYR 17.8

$4.17 MYR 17.21

$4.56 MYR 18.8

Wine (Bottle)

$16.69 MYR 68.8

$8.34 MYR 34.42

$19.08 MYR 78.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 MYR 11.2

$2.54 MYR 10.49

$3.11 MYR 12.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.42 MYR 14.12

$2.34 MYR 9.66

$4.67 MYR 19.28

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.45 MYR 1.85

$0.68 MYR 2.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.72 MYR 73.1

$11.81 MYR 48.7

$51.4 MYR 212

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.74 MYR 3.07

$2.47 MYR 10.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 MYR 2.2

$0.23 MYR 0.93

$1.37 MYR 5.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.12 MYR 29.37

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.92

$0.47 MYR 1.96

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

$33K MYR 136.3K

$27.8K MYR 114.8K

$38.3K MYR 157.8K

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

$27.1K MYR 111.9K

$26.8K MYR 110.4K

$33.8K MYR 139.2K

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

$38.2 MYR 158

$23.29 MYR 96.1

$58.2 MYR 240

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

$10.18 MYR 41.99

$5.92 MYR 24.42

$14.21 MYR 58.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.73 MYR 131

$23.68 MYR 97.7

$40.67 MYR 168

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.11 MYR 137

$16.68 MYR 68.8

$57.2 MYR 236

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.63 MYR 23.24

$3.63 MYR 14.96

$6.03 MYR 24.89

Cinema Ticket

$4.85 MYR 20.02

$3.47 MYR 14.32

$8.09 MYR 33.36

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

$238 MYR 980

$153 MYR 631

$329 MYR 1,358

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,109 MYR 25.2K

$3,484 MYR 14.4K

$24.7K MYR 101.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 MYR 230

$24.01 MYR 99.1

$96 MYR 396

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.19 MYR 120

$21.44 MYR 88.5

$47.66 MYR 197

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.1 MYR 252

$39.92 MYR 165

$117 MYR 484

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52 MYR 214

$34.83 MYR 144

$69.7 MYR 287

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$392 MYR 1,617

$203 MYR 837

$716 MYR 2,955

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$223 MYR 918

$116 MYR 479

$348 MYR 1,437

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$647 MYR 2,669

$356 MYR 1,467

$1,067 MYR 4,401

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$519 MYR 2,142

$281 MYR 1,161

$821 MYR 3,386

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,388 MYR 9,850

$2,024 MYR 8,349

$2,812 MYR 11.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,515 MYR 6,250

$1,331 MYR 5,490

$1,832 MYR 7,555

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,091 MYR 4,499

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.16

5.25

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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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.