Penang, Malaysia
Editor
March 12, 2023
The Malaysian island of Penang is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and exciting place to work and explore. With its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture, Penang offers a unique experience for digital nomads. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive option for those looking to stretch their budget. Penang is also home to a thriving tech industry, with many startups and tech companies based in the area. The city is well-connected, with a reliable public transportation system and plenty of international flights. Additionally, Penang is a great place to meet other digital nomads, with a vibrant expat community and plenty of co-working spaces. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and low cost of living, Penang is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for an unforgettable experience.
Living in Penang, Malaysia: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
69%
Quality of life -
24%
Cost of living -
76%
Connectivity -
59%
Weather
57
General
| Currency | MYR |
| Population (in millions) | 1.8 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 135 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | George Town, Tanjung Tokong |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 40 |
| Top selling local beer | Tiger |
| Most popular local dish | Char Kway Teow |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang National Park |
| Discount airline | AirAsia |
| Major airline | Malaysia Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Grab |
| Primary train stations | Butterworth Station, Bukit Mertajam Station, Nibong Tebal Station |
| Primary airports | Penang International Airport, Butterworth Air Base, and Subang Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 25000 MYR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | G-213A, 1st Avenue Mall, 183 Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 50 Mbps |
| Power socket type | G |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Senheng |
| Best internet carrier | Maxis |
| Primary cellular carrier | Maxis |
| Average monthly cost for internet | RM100 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Guardian |
| Best restaurant chain | Nasi Kandar |
| The best grocery store | Tesco |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $14,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 6% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 100 MYR |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Maybank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 999 (general), 991 (police), 994 (ambulance), 995 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
69%
-
67%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
79%
Property to income -
33%
Crime -
78%
Healthcare -
59%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | MYR 3,800 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 3.51% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | MYR 762 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | MYR 27,800 |
Cost of living
24%
-
Purchasing Power
65%
-
Rent
10%
-
Food
39%
-
Restaurant
20%
-
Workspace
50%
-
Transport
31%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 1,511.58 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 1,227.78 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | MYR 2,554.55 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | MYR 2,100.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | MYR 16.67 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | MYR 7.34 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | MYR 4.25 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | MYR 7.73 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | MYR 52.25 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | MYR 1.65 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | MYR 70.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | MYR 10.40 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 13.94 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | MYR 18.50 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | MYR 23.49 |
| Apples (1kg) | MYR 10.03 |
| Oranges (1kg) | MYR 10.75 |
| Potato (1kg) | MYR 3.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | MYR 4.60 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | MYR 5.42 |
| Tomato (1kg) | MYR 4.83 |
| Banana (1kg) | MYR 6.11 |
| Onion (1kg) | MYR 3.83 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | MYR 37.25 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | MYR 10.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | MYR 60.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | MYR 18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | MYR 16.50 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 18.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 2.56 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | MYR 2.10 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | MYR 13.43 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | MYR 219.90 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | MYR 0.25 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | MYR 123.58 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | MYR 123.75 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | MYR 16.67 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | MYR 15.50 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | MYR 2.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | MYR 80.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | MYR 2.07 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 170,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | MYR 128,981.33 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | MYR 5.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | MYR 1.80 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | MYR 30.00 |
