Las Palmas vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Las Palmas, Spain 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 38% cheaper than Las Palmas for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $900 in Las Palmas.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Las Palmas: 300 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Las Palmas is mediterranean; Penang is tropical.
Las Palmas wins 2 of the measured lines; Penang wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Las Palmas or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,800/month in Las Palmas, roughly 38% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Las Palmas or Penang?
Las Palmas and Penang score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Las Palmas or Penang?
Las Palmas has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Las Palmas | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,800 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $900 | $450 |
| Food | $450 | $300 |
| Transport | $45 | $35 |
| Coworking | $130 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 180 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | island | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Las Palmas
Gran Canaria's nomad capital — year-round spring weather, beaches in the city, huge coworking scene.
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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): Las Palmas November 5, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.