Amman vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads

Amman, Jordan and Penang, Malaysia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Penang is about 25% cheaper than Amman for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,500).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $650 in Amman.
  • Both score 8/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 45 Mbps.
  • Amman is arid; Penang is tropical.

Amman wins 0 of the measured lines; Penang wins 7.

LineAmmanPenang
Monthly total (USD)$1,500$1,125
Rent$650$450
Food$350$300
Transport$90$35
Coworking$150$90
Safety (out of 10)8/108/10
Internet (Mbps)45180
Climatearidtropical
City sizemetrometro
Settinginlandisland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/108/10

Amman

Affordable Middle-East hub and gateway to Petra.

Compare Amman with

Compare Penang with

Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.