Tokyo vs Penang Cost of Living

Tokyo (Japan) · Overall index 53.8Penang (Malaysia) · Overall index 26.7

Summary

  • Overall, Penang is 50% cheaper than Tokyo.
  • Rent in Penang is 63% cheaper than in Tokyo.
  • Transport in Penang is 52% cheaper than in Tokyo.
ItemTokyoPenangDiff
Rent-63%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,307$483-63%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$782$300-62%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,737$900-67%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,558$631-59%
Groceries-48%
Milk (1L)$0.87$0.43-51%
White bread (500g)$2.62$1.46-44%
Rice (1kg)$3.43$1.75-49%
Eggs (12)$3.26$1.79-45%
Local cheese (1kg)$9.15$5.05-45%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$9.77$4.84-50%
Beef round (1kg)$14.2$6.87-52%
Apples (1kg)$3.74$2.09-44%
Bananas (1kg)$1.62$0.77-52%
Oranges (1kg)$3$1.57-48%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.44$2-55%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.3$1.16-50%
Onions (1kg)$2.06$1.14-45%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.69$0.95-44%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.8$0.89-51%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$11.4$5.95-48%
Transport-52%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.65$0.85-48%
Public transport, monthly pass$75.4$36.7-51%
Taxi, base fare$2.32$1.13-51%
Taxi, per km$1.23$0.57-54%
Gasoline (1L)$0.58$0.27-53%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$18,186$8,576-53%
Dining out-51%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$13.8$7.46-46%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$70.3$33.2-53%
Fast food combo meal$7.88$4-49%
Cappuccino$3.87$1.84-52%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.65$0.81-51%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.95$2.51-49%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$5.82$2.65-54%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.35$0.69-49%
Telecom-40%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$41.5$25.2-39%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$52.1$32.1-38%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.26$0.16-38%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$12.7$7.13-44%
Utilities & household-48%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$126$61.1-52%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.15$0.08-47%
Tap water (1m³)$3.07$1.73-44%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.05$0.59-44%
Waste collection (monthly)$16.3$7.9-52%
Fitness club (monthly)$62.2$34.1-45%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$9.79$5.59-43%
Men's haircut$23.3$10.5-55%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$18.8$9.49-50%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,434$720-50%

3,099 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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