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.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Penang or Warsaw?
Penang is cheaper: about $1,125/month against $1,660/month in Warsaw, roughly 32% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Penang or Warsaw?
Penang and Warsaw score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Penang or Warsaw?
Warsaw has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Penang.
| Line | Penang | Warsaw |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,125 | $1,660 |
| Rent | $450 | $750 |
| Food | $300 | $400 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 250 |
| Climate | tropical | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| 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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Penang September 11, 2026, Warsaw September 11, 2026.