Penang vs Warsaw: cost of living for digital nomads

Penang, Malaysia and Warsaw, Poland, 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 32% cheaper than Warsaw for a month of nomad living ($1,125 vs $1,660).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Penang against $750 in Warsaw.
  • Both score 8/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Warsaw: 250 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
  • Penang is tropical; Warsaw is continental.

Penang wins 5 of the measured lines; Warsaw wins 1.

LinePenangWarsaw
Monthly total (USD)$1,125$1,660
Rent$450$750
Food$300$400
Transport$35$40
Coworking$90$130
Safety (out of 10)8/108/10
Internet (Mbps)180250
Climatetropicalcontinental
City sizemetrometro
Settingislandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)8/108/10

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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.