Novi Sad vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Novi Sad, Serbia 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 2% cheaper than Novi Sad for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,150).
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 170 Mbps.
- Novi Sad is temperate; Penang is tropical.
Novi Sad wins 1 of the measured lines; Penang wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Novi Sad or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,150/month in Novi Sad, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Novi Sad or Penang?
Novi Sad and Penang score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Novi Sad or Penang?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 170 Mbps in Novi Sad.
| Line | Novi Sad | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $450 | $450 |
| Food | $320 | $300 |
| Transport | $30 | $35 |
| Coworking | $90 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 170 | 180 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Novi Sad with
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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): Novi Sad September 11, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.