Cost of living · Malaysia
Cost of living in Penang (2026)
For one person renting a one-bed, Penang runs about $817/month on a budget and around $1354/month living comfortably — rent included. Here's where the money goes.
Monthly budget breakdown
Baseline: one person, one-bed apartment, getting around by scooter, eating out. Adjust it in the calculator →
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | $420 | $420 |
| Food & eating out | $200 | $420 |
| Transport | $40 | $90 |
| Utilities & internet | $50 | $110 |
| Phone / SIM | $7 | $14 |
| Fun & misc | $100 | $300 |
| Total | $817 | $1354 |
Rent in Penang by home size
Live figures are the median of current listings; the rest are typical asking prices.
Studio
$250/mo
typical asking price
1-bed
$420/mo
typical asking price
2-bed
$660/mo
typical asking price
3-bed+
$950/mo
typical asking price
Right now there are 30 current Penang rentals — homes from $638/month, single rooms from $85/month. Browse them →
Watch: what rentals in Penang look like
Penang cost of living FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Penang per month?
A single person renting a one-bed typically spends about $817/month on a budget and around $1354/month living comfortably in Penang — including rent. Couples and families scale mainly on the food, transport and utilities lines.
How much is rent in Penang?
Typical monthly rents in Penang run roughly: Studio ~$250, 1-bed ~$420, 2-bed ~$660, 3-bed+ ~$950. Right now there are 30 current listings, with homes from $638/month and single rooms from $85/month.
Is Penang cheap compared to other Southeast Asian cities?
Penang ranks 5 of 8 (1 = cheapest) among the cities we track, by baseline monthly budget. Use the calculator to compare cities side by side with your own lifestyle.