Cost of Living in Penang
Summary of cost of living in Penang, Malaysia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,000.2$ (8,272.3RM), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 542.6$ (2,244.2RM), excluding rent.
- Penang is 50.5% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Penang is, on average, 81.0% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 3.63 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 19.34 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 4.35 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 4.35 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.59 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 2.98 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 0.72 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 0.34 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.95 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 0.99 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 0.81 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 2.25 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 7.39 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 2.24 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 4.84 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 1.28 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 0.71 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 1.14 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 0.73 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 0.48 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 0.58 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 1.12 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 0.54 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 16.93 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 2.86 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.04 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 4.53 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.48 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 18.13 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 0.73 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 0.89 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 7.25 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.50 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 41,239.91 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 33,570.29 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 40.31 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 9.85 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 30.27 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 33.61 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 5.64 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 5.68 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 244.21 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 6,377.24 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 65.85 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 33.44 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 78.90 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 65.06 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 311.91 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 200.69 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 471.49 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 468.47 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 226.51 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 140.02 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 1,112.24 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.59 |
Prices in Penang
This city had 364 entries in the past 12 months by 46 different contributors.
Last update: 25 November 2025
Last update: 25 November 2025
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