Oaxaca vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Oaxaca, Mexico 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 6% cheaper than Oaxaca for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $520 in Oaxaca.
- Penang scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Oaxaca is temperate; Penang is tropical.
Oaxaca wins 0 of the measured lines; Penang wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Oaxaca or Penang?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,200/month in Oaxaca, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Oaxaca or Penang?
Penang scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Oaxaca.
Which has faster internet, Oaxaca or Penang?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Oaxaca.
| Line | Oaxaca | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $520 | $450 |
| Food | $340 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $100 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 180 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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): Oaxaca November 8, 2026, Penang September 11, 2026.