Penang vs San Juan del Sur: cost of living for digital nomads
Penang, Malaysia and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, 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 4% cheaper than San Juan del Sur for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,170).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $500 in San Juan del Sur.
- Penang scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Penang wins 7 of the measured lines; San Juan del Sur wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Penang or San Juan del Sur?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,170/month in San Juan del Sur, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Penang or San Juan del Sur?
Penang scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for San Juan del Sur.
Which has faster internet, Penang or San Juan del Sur?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 50 Mbps in San Juan del Sur.
| Line | Penang | San Juan del Sur |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,125 | $1,170 |
| Rent | $450 | $500 |
| Food | $300 | $320 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 50 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
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): Penang September 11, 2026, San Juan del Sur September 10, 2026.