Penang vs Santiago: cost of living for digital nomads
Penang, Malaysia and Santiago, Chile, 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 Santiago for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $850 in Santiago.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Santiago: 200 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Penang is tropical; Santiago is mediterranean.
Penang wins 6 of the measured lines; Santiago wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Penang or Santiago?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,800/month in Santiago, roughly 38% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Penang or Santiago?
Penang and Santiago score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Penang or Santiago?
Santiago has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Penang | Santiago |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,125 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $450 | $850 |
| Food | $300 | $460 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $90 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 200 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Penang 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): Penang September 11, 2026, Santiago November 5, 2026.