Penang vs Split: cost of living for digital nomads
Penang, Malaysia and Split, Croatia, 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 Split for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $850 in Split.
- Split scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Penang is tropical; Split is mediterranean.
Penang wins 6 of the measured lines; Split wins 1.
| Line | Penang | Split |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,125 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $450 | $850 |
| Food | $300 | $450 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.