How expensive is Penang compared to the rest of Malaysia?

Penang ranks #474 out of 577 cities globally. It is 0.0% more expensive than the Malaysia average, based on 3 cities. The rent index is 7.6 and local purchasing power is 83.6.

What is the average rent in Penang?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Penang city centre costs approximately MYR 1,648 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to MYR 939 (saving 43%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around MYR 2,498.

Is Penang affordable to live in?

Penang is affordable by global standards. Groceries are average, restaurants are affordable, and local purchasing power is average.

🇲🇾 Malaysia · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Penang

Dicht bij het Malaysia-gemiddelde

Gerangschikt op #474 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 17.9% van de steden wereldwijd

0.0%

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

-20.0%

Huur

-2.9%

Boodschappen

+4.2%

Koopkracht

Vergeleken met het Malaysia-gemiddelde · Malaysia-ranking bekijken →

Huurprijzen in Penang

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	MYR 1,648/mo ≈ $404	MYR 939/mo ≈ $230	43%
3-Kamer	MYR 2,498/mo ≈ $612	MYR 1,698/mo ≈ $416	32%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

Penang has a cost of living index of 21.9 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. LivingCost is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

21.9

Index

Sources

0.2

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

21.8

Expatistan

22.0

LivingCost

17.9

left out

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities | Data collected: Numbeo oktober 2026 · Expatistan maart 2026

Kostenindexen

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

0.0% Average

Huur

-20.0% Very affordable

Boodschappen

-2.9% Average

Restaurants

-10.2% Affordable

Koopkracht

+4.2% Average

Wonen in Penang: Wat te Verwachten

Penang is affordable naar wereldwijde maatstaven (positie #474 van 577 steden). 0.0% duurder dan het Malaysia-gemiddelde, gebaseerd op 3 steden.

Boodschappen zijn average, terwijl uit eten affordable is. Rent biedt de beste waarde, terwijl Groceries het duurst is.

Hoe Verhoudt Penang Zich?

🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

24.2 +10.5%

Vergelijk →

🇲🇾 Kuching Malaysia

19.7 -10.0%

Vergelijk →

🇮🇶 Erbil Iraq

21.8 -0.5%

Vergelijk →

🇨🇳 Changsha China

21.8 -0.5%

Vergelijk →

🇲🇦 Rabat Morocco

21.8 -0.5%

Vergelijk →

🇨🇳 Guangzhou China

22.0 +0.5%

Vergelijk →

Een Verhuizing naar Penang aan het Plannen?

Vul je huidige stad en salaris in om je nettosalaris en kosten van levensonderhoud te vergelijken met Penang.

Vergelijk je salaris in Penang →

Moet Ik Verhuizen naar Penang? Goedkoopste Steden in Azië

Relocation Toolkit

Trusted services for your move

Health insurance for living abroad

Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing: medical cover designed for people working and living outside their home country. Flexible monthly subscription, cancel any time.

Get covered with SafetyWing

Secure your connection in your new city

NordVPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi, lets you access content from home, and is a must-have for remote workers abroad.

Get NordVPN

We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.