Austin vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States 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 62% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $1,500 in Austin.
- Penang scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Austin is temperate; Penang is tropical.
Austin wins 1 of the measured lines; Penang wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 62% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Penang?
Penang scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Austin.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Penang?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Austin | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $450 |
| Food | $620 | $300 |
| Transport | $90 | $35 |
| Coworking | $200 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 180 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.