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Malaysia

Penang

UNESCO heritage and food capital of Malaysia, with real (if secondary) dive and freediving access.

In Penang, a mid-range month runs about $939 (MYR 3,835) and there is low violent crime city-wide.

Compare Penang with another cityFind places like Penang

Ratings

Scores run from 1 to 10 and compare each place with every other destination on Nomadr. Higher is always better. Cost is shown as a level, from Very Low to Very High.

Cost (day-to-day)Very Low

Cheaper day to day than about 90% of cities

Internet6.5/10

Faster internet than about 65% of cities

Visas7/10

Easier visas than about 75% of cities

Coworking7.7/10

Better coworking than about 75% of cities

English8/10

More English-friendly than about 70% of cities

Walkability4.7/10

Harder to get around than about 60% of cities

Gyms & Wellness6.8/10

Better wellness options than about 65% of cities

Getting There2.7/10

Harder to reach than about 80% of cities

Scores are built from researched data, with sources cited on the categories we have them for — open any category below to see them.

Everything we know

34 categories for Penang, grouped for quick scanning — coverage varies from city to city. Open any row for the full detail and any cited sources.

Money

Work

Life

Outdoor activities

Practical

The Honest Downsides

The honest downsides

What we'd want to know before moving here.

Data last updated October 2026 · Verify anything important.

Other cities in Southeast Asia

  • Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMalaysia's DE Rantau nomad pass, budget-airline hub, underrated infrastructure
  • Phuket, ThailandThailand's biggest island hub with dense long-stay and coworking infrastructure
  • Koh Phangan, ThailandWellness-and-coworking island scene, distinct from the Full Moon Party crowd
  • Koh Tao, ThailandThailand's world-renowned scuba and freediving-course hub, with real (if niche) surf and kite too.
  • Singapore, SingaporeWorld-class infrastructure, expensive but reliable regional base
  • Mentawai Islands, IndonesiaBoat-access-only, serious-surfer-only wave pilgrimage — genuinely remote, not for casual visitors.