Bengaluru vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Bengaluru, India 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
- Bengaluru is about 9% cheaper than Penang for a month of nomad living ($1,025 vs $1,125).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Bengaluru against $450 in Penang.
- Penang scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Bengaluru: 200 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bengaluru wins 4 of the measured lines; Penang wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bengaluru or Penang?
Bengaluru is cheaper: about $1,025/month against $1,125/month in Penang, roughly 9% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bengaluru or Penang?
Penang scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Bengaluru.
Which has faster internet, Bengaluru or Penang?
Bengaluru has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Bengaluru | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,025 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $400 | $450 |
| Food | $250 | $300 |
| Transport | $35 | $35 |
| Coworking | $110 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 180 |
| Climate | tropical | 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): Bengaluru September 11, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.