Cost of living in Penang Malaysia
Rents in Georgetown can be quite low
Penang is an attractive place for people to come and live due to the low cost of living, high standard of facilities and tropical climate. There are private clubs that cater to the island’s burgeoning expat community with golf courses, swimming pools, horse riding and a thriving social scene for networking. All this comes at a price, however, so its important to work out how much your desired lifestyle would cost before taking the plunge.
Costs for visitors to Penang
Accommodation is likely to be the biggest expense incurred on any visit to Penang, although you don’t have to break the bank to experience a bit of luxury. There are great hotel deals available, especially in the low season when you can be pampered like a Hollywood A-lister for only a few extra dollars a night. For the best hotel bargains in Penang.
Budget travellers keen to spend a few months exploring Southeast Asia will find Penang one of the more expensive destinations to visit, especially compared with Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. However, there are plenty of hawker stalls where delicious and filling meals can be picked up for under RM5, and dorm beds in hostels with free breakfast and internet for around RM10. For the best cheap guesthouses in Penang.
Restaurants are available for all different budgets in Penang. A decent meal for one person at a hawker centre, food court or coffeeshop costs only RM5. And an excellent meal for two at a top restaurant would cost only RM50. Trendy places with sea views that cater for tourists will provide a fresh seafood meal for two for only RM150, whilst cooking for yourself at home is very cheap.
Everyone likes to indulge a little whilst on holiday – that’s half the point! But despite Penang’s majority Chinese population and general ethnic diversity, it is still a Islamic country and so alcohol is prohibitively taxed and even more expensive than in the West. So those that party until dawn every night of the week will soon discover their expenses becoming astronomical.
Cocktails in classy bars and clubs breach the RM20 mark, with wine and top shelf spirits also eye-wateringly expensive. Backpackers can save a lot of cash by visiting 7-Eleven early in the evening to pick up cheap alcohol and socialising in their hostel, maybe only purchasing a couple of drinks in bars later on. Alternatively the beach bars down Batu Ferringhi all have staggered happy hours early in the evening, so perhaps bar hop down these to get the best value for money.
Museums and tourist attractions are not generally very expensive in Penang, and many of the temples are free to visit with only a donation suggested if you feel in a giving mood. Embarking on a organised tour can save you a lot of money compared with arranging your own transport, and many come with lunch or refreshments included. More on Penang tours.
Expat living costs in Penang
Costs in Penang are generally lower than other developed Asian cities such as Hong Kong or Singapore, but more expensive than Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia. It is difficult to estimate exactly what each person will spend, as everyone has different lives and enjoys different pursuits. And a great deal depends on where one lives, whether in a local condo on a long-term lease or in a expat-orientated serviced apartment catering for short-term business users. For more on property in Penang.
Of course, it is possible to ‘go native’ and live in a modest Little India room, eat only noodle soup and get by for only a few dollars a day. Most people demand a little more comfort and may take the step towards full-blown luxury.
But that membership to an exclusive country club or chauffeur-driven car will drastically alter your expenditure, so it’s important to be realistic about your lifestyle to avoid any unnecessary surprises. Below is a rough guide for living costs in Penang.
Per month costs for expat living in Penang
Utilities (elec, water, gas) water: RM200 – 1,000
Rent: RM1,500 – 6,500
Eating out: RM1,500 – 6,000
Groceries: 300 – 1,000
Telephone: RM70
Mobile phone: RM70 – 100
Medical insurance: RM250
Parking: RM40
Condo service: RM250
Internet: RM90
Cable TV: RM120
Petrol: RM200 – 500
Tolls: RM50 – 100
Car (insurance, tax, etc): RM70 – 150
