It’s cheap. Like, really cheap.
The cost of living in Penang is astoundingly cheap. For rent, eating, and working in a purpose-built space, you’re looking at roughly $7,000 a month.
If you eat with the locals, an average dinner from one of the hawker centres will set you back about $8–$10. That will get you a bowl of noodles or char kway teow. $15 will get you a large beer.
Renting an apartment for a month with a rooftop swimming pool, gym, security guards, and parking will cost roughly $5,000. If you’re staying for a shorter period of time, a room in a guesthouse can be about $300 a night.
A desk in a co-working space in the centre of Georgetown can cost as little as $500 a month. Cafés that welcome freelancers tend to charge slightly more for their coffee and juices, but you’re still only looking at about $10 for a latte.