Dar es Salaam vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 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 1% cheaper than Dar es Salaam for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,140).
- Penang scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 5/10).
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Dar es Salaam wins 1 of the measured lines; Penang wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,140/month in Dar es Salaam, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Penang scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 5/10 for Dar es Salaam.
Which has faster internet, Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Dar es Salaam.
| Line | Dar es Salaam | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,140 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $450 | $450 |
| Food | $320 | $300 |
| Transport | $35 | $35 |
| Coworking | $85 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 180 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 5/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Dar es Salaam 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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Dar es Salaam September 11, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.