Cost of Living in Penang - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $580 (excluding rent), and $866 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,345 (excluding rent), and $1,867 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.11 MYR 12.61

$2.39 MYR 9.72

$7.17 MYR 29.13

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.15 MYR 85.9

$17.63 MYR 71.6

$35.25 MYR 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.33 MYR 17.57

$4.31 MYR 17.49

$4.81 MYR 19.52

Cappuccino

$2.86 MYR 11.63

$1.65 MYR 6.70

$3.50 MYR 14.20

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

$0.73 MYR 2.96

$0.48 MYR 1.96

$1.45 MYR 5.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 MYR 1.48

$0.25 MYR 1.01

$0.49 MYR 1.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.29 MYR 17.41

$3.48 MYR 14.14

$5.79 MYR 23.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.37 MYR 17.73

$3.50 MYR 14.20

$5.13 MYR 20.82

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 MYR 7.63

$1.43 MYR 5.82

$2.40 MYR 9.73

White Bread (500g)

$1.00 MYR 4.06

$0.85 MYR 3.46

$1.20 MYR 4.86

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.99 MYR 8.07

$1.64 MYR 6.65

$2.44 MYR 9.92

Eggs

$2.05 MYR 8.33

$1.14 MYR 4.62

$2.67 MYR 10.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.99 MYR 69.0

$9.02 MYR 36.61

$23.13 MYR 93.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.18 MYR 21.02

$2.88 MYR 11.69

$7.67 MYR 31.14

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.97 MYR 60.8

$7.16 MYR 29.06

$23.86 MYR 96.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 MYR 11.26

$1.61 MYR 6.52

$3.67 MYR 14.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 MYR 5.87

$0.92 MYR 3.73

$1.73 MYR 7.01

Oranges (1kg)

$2.70 MYR 10.96

$1.68 MYR 6.83

$3.36 MYR 13.65

Tomato (1kg)

$2.09 MYR 8.47

$0.92 MYR 3.72

$3.68 MYR 14.92

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 MYR 4.60

$0.69 MYR 2.82

$2.05 MYR 8.33

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MYR 4.97

$0.73 MYR 2.96

$2.66 MYR 10.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 MYR 3.84

$0.36 MYR 1.44

$1.53 MYR 6.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 MYR 1.82

$0.25 MYR 1.01

$0.68 MYR 2.75

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.22 MYR 17.12

$4.08 MYR 16.56

$4.46 MYR 18.09

Wine (Bottle)

$19.31 MYR 78.4

$8.67 MYR 35.20

$19.81 MYR 80.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 MYR 10.63

$2.45 MYR 9.95

$3.00 MYR 12.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.50 MYR 14.21

$2.39 MYR 9.72

$4.78 MYR 19.39

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 MYR 1.85

$0.69 MYR 2.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.42 MYR 70.7

$11.61 MYR 47.12

$50.5 MYR 205

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.70 MYR 2.83

$2.32 MYR 9.40

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.50 MYR 2.03

$0.21 MYR 0.86

$1.29 MYR 5.24

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.23 MYR 29.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.46 MYR 1.88

$0.47 MYR 1.92

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

$33.9K MYR 137.6K

$28.5K MYR 115.8K

$39.2K MYR 159.3K

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

$27.7K MYR 112.3K

$27.3K MYR 110.8K

$34.4K MYR 139.7K

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

$38.60 MYR 157

$23.53 MYR 95.5

$58.8 MYR 239

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

$10.03 MYR 40.71

$5.83 MYR 23.67

$14.00 MYR 56.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.91 MYR 125

$23.07 MYR 93.7

$39.62 MYR 161

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.64 MYR 133

$16.44 MYR 66.7

$56.4 MYR 229

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.52 MYR 22.40

$3.55 MYR 14.42

$5.91 MYR 23.99

Cinema Ticket

$4.90 MYR 19.88

$3.50 MYR 14.22

$8.16 MYR 33.14

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

$238 MYR 968

$153 MYR 623

$331 MYR 1,342

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,150 MYR 25.0K

$3,507 MYR 14.2K

$24.8K MYR 100.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.6 MYR 226

$23.92 MYR 97.1

$95.7 MYR 388

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.29 MYR 119

$21.52 MYR 87.4

$47.83 MYR 194

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.4 MYR 245

$39.51 MYR 160

$116 MYR 472

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.8 MYR 214

$35.41 MYR 144

$70.8 MYR 288

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$380 MYR 1,543

$197 MYR 799

$695 MYR 2,820

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$227 MYR 920

$118 MYR 480

$355 MYR 1,439

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$649 MYR 2,636

$357 MYR 1,449

$1,071 MYR 4,347

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$520 MYR 2,113

$282 MYR 1,145

$823 MYR 3,340

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,235 MYR 9,072

$1,289 MYR 5,235

$2,633 MYR 10.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,156 MYR 4,693

$782 MYR 3,176

$1,833 MYR 7,443

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$988 MYR 4,012

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: January 13, 2026

Penang Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

233

Mbps

106

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.