Cost of Living in Penang
Summary of cost of living in Penang, Malaysia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $1,913.3 (RM7,811.2), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $519.8 (RM2,122.1), excluding rent.
- Penang is 52.1% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Penang is, on average, 75.8% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | RM15.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | RM80.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | RM19.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | RM17.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM18.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | RM12.05 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | RM3.03 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | RM1.54 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | RM7.46 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | RM3.95 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | RM3.21 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | RM8.97 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | RM25.27 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | RM8.16 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | RM16.07 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | RM5.54 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | RM3.08 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | RM4.96 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | RM2.66 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | RM2.01 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | RM2.05 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | RM4.54 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | RM2.30 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | RM78.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | RM12.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | RM21.52 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | RM18.61 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | RM2.00 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | RM50.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | RM7.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | RM2.57 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | RM30.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | RM3.77 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | RM183,000.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | RM144,925.00 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | RM151.72 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | RM40.07 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | RM118.14 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | RM158.75 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | RM20.00 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | RM20.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | RM1,737.50 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | RM43,937.50 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | RM244.62 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | RM143.28 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | RM339.68 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | RM284.88 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM1,647.50 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM938.75 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | RM2,496.67 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | RM1,697.50 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | RM833.59 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | RM405.72 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | RM3,780.78 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.04 | |
Prices in Penang
This city had 415 entries in the past 12 months by 27 different contributors.
Last update: 15 October 2026
Last update: 15 October 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Penang? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Butterworth | 15.17 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bukit Mertajam | 17.71 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kulim | 25.74 miles |
| Cost of Living in Baling | 54.12 miles |
| Cost of Living in Jeniang | 58.42 miles |
| Cost of Living in Taiping | 62.60 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kedah | 70.34 miles |
| Cost of Living in Alor Setar | 70.78 miles |
| Cost of Living in Gerik | 85.30 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ipoh | 97.51 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Penang
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Penang
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita a Penang
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie à Penang
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Penang
|
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Penang? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Penang.
Leave a comment:4 Comments so far
Paul
on Feb 14, 2025:
Thomas M. I think your acquaintance is taking you for a ride. Four years after your message, a lunch with two plates of noodles, prawns/mussels/chicken and 2 lime juice came to RM 25 (just over five dollars). 15 eggs (average size) came to RM 11.35 (less than $0.20 each!). A loaf of Western type bread is variable between a dollar or so and $6 for artisanal quality where you get soft jazz piped in while you shop...
CP
on Sep 01, 2024:
Why doesn't this budget take into account health expenses?
Thomas Maresco
on Oct 17, 2020:
I am asking for help ....I have someone in penang Malaysia , who insists they need 300 USD a week for food and even then they tell me they eat very modestly such as nasi gorang and maybe egg and spaghetti , was also told 12 eggs cost 18 USD and a loaf of bread is 6 USD ... I think I am being taken advantage of . could someone please email me cheftom12@gmail.com and let me know ...thank you very much
jeffrey william emack
on Sep 03, 2020:
is there a list i can see that shows number 1 ranked to last placed