Brasov vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads

Brasov, Romania 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 9% cheaper than Brasov for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,230).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $500 in Brasov.
  • Both score 8/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Brasov: 220 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
  • Brasov is continental; Penang is tropical.

Brasov wins 2 of the measured lines; Penang wins 5.

LineBrasovPenang
Monthly total (USD)$1,230$1,125
Rent$500$450
Food$330$300
Transport$30$35
Coworking$95$90
Safety (out of 10)8/108/10
Internet (Mbps)220180
Climatecontinentaltropical
City sizemidmetro
Settingmountainisland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/108/10

Compare Brasov 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.