Penang vs Ubud: cost of living for digital nomads
Penang, Malaysia and Ubud, Indonesia, 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 20% cheaper than Ubud for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $550 in Ubud.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 30 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Penang wins 6 of the measured lines; Ubud wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Penang or Ubud?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,400/month in Ubud, roughly 20% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Penang or Ubud?
Penang and Ubud score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Penang or Ubud?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 30 Mbps in Ubud.
| Line | Penang | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,125 | $1,400 |
| Rent | $450 | $550 |
| Food | $300 | $380 |
| Transport | $35 | $60 |
| Coworking | $90 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 30 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Ubud
Bali's wellness-and-yoga nomad hub inland from Canggu — jungle, cafes, strong community.
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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, Ubud August 30, 2026.