George Town, Malaysia, Malaysia — cost of living
Wikipedia · George Town, Penang

George Town, Malaysia

Trust 47
Country
Malaysia
63
Relocation
George Town, Malaysia

About George Town, Malaysia

Costs exclude rent
Single / month
$382
Family of 4 / mo
$955
Avg salary (after tax)
$1,228

George Town is a beautiful city in Malaysia , known for its rich history and vibrant culture. It is the capital of the state of Penang and is famous for its stunning colonial architecture, colorful street art, and delicious food. Walking through the streets of George Town feels like stepping back in time, with many buildings dating back to the 19th century.

Data aggregated from public cost-of-living sources. See About for methodology.· Wikipedia · George Town, Penang· Updated May 22, 2026

Cost breakdown by category

Cost breakdown

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Fashion

  • Men's Dress ShoesUSD $59.62
  • Classic Jeans (e.g., Levi's 501)USD $91.15
  • Summer Dress from Chain Stores (e.g., Zara, H&M)USD $28.64
  • Midrange Nike Running ShoesUSD $89.01

Financial

  • Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed)USD $0.85
  • Average Monthly Salary After TaxUSD $1,023

Food - Beverages

  • Soft Drinks (350 ml Bottle)USD $0.61
  • Imported Beer (Small Bottle)USD $3.83
  • Local Draft Beer (Pint)USD $3.83
  • Bottled Water (350 ml)USD $0.41
  • CappuccinoUSD $2.48

Food - Dining

  • Casual Dining ExperienceUSD $2.31
  • Upscale Dinner for TwoUSD $8.95
  • Fast Food ComboUSD $3.83

Food - Grocery

  • Beef Round (1 kg)USD $10.22
  • Apples (1 kg)USD $1.56
  • Bananas (1 kg)USD $1.26
  • Oranges (1 kg)USD $1.41
  • Tomatoes (1 kg)USD $1.04
  • Potatoes (1 kg)USD $0.64
  • Onions (1 kg)USD $0.99
  • Lettuce (1 Head)USD $0.88
  • Bottled Water (1.5L)USD $0.67
  • Midrange Bottle of WineUSD $15.34
  • Marlboro (20-Pack)USD $4.41
  • Chicken Fillets (1 kg)USD $5.34
  • Local Cheese (1 kg)USD $12.25
  • Dozen EggsUSD $1.53
  • White Rice (1 kg)USD $1.11
  • Fresh White Bread (1 kg)USD $1.48
  • Milk (1 litre)USD $1.94

Housing

  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments in City CenterUSD $152.98
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $236.51
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $166.19
  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $409.09
  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $294.04
  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments Outside City CenterUSD $93.61

Leisure

  • Monthly Fee for Fitness Club Membership (1 Adult)USD $31.41
  • Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)USD $3.9
  • Cinema Ticket (International Release)USD $3.83
  • Monthly Fee for Private Kindergarten (1 Child)USD $143.82
  • Yearly Cost for International Primary School (1 Child)USD $4,475

Transportation

  • Average Taxi Fare for 1 kmUSD $1.24
  • Average Rate to Start a Taxi RideUSD $1.02
  • Average Price of a New Compact Hatchback CarUSD $23,012
  • 1 Hour Taxi WaitUSD $10.23
  • Average Monthly Cost of Public Transport PassUSD $19.17
  • Average Price of a New Sedan CarUSD $28,978
  • One-Way Local Transport FareUSD $0.51

Utilities (Monthly)

  • Internet Service (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited)USD $28.89
  • Average Monthly Cost for Essential Utilities in a 915 sq. ft. ApartmentUSD $54.05

Costs reflect a typical lifestyle in each place, excluding rent unless stated. Numbers are a starting point — always cross-check before big decisions.

  • Single / Family of 4 toggle. Family ≈ 2.7× single when no verified figure exists.
  • Estimated values use a ~ prefix and an "Estimated" label.
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How we calculate these numbers

When local data is missing (e.g. salary for a smaller city), we estimate from peer cities in the same country using a median ratio.

Full methodology, assumptions, and formulas live on our About page.