Krakow vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Krakow, Poland 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 Krakow for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $700 in Krakow.
- Krakow scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Krakow: 200 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Krakow is continental; Penang is tropical.
Krakow wins 2 of the measured lines; Penang wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Krakow or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,500/month in Krakow, roughly 25% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Krakow or Penang?
Krakow scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Penang.
Which has faster internet, Krakow or Penang?
Krakow has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Krakow | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $700 | $450 |
| Food | $400 | $300 |
| Transport | $35 | $35 |
| Coworking | $110 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 180 |
| Climate | continental | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Krakow 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): Krakow November 9, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.