Penang vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Penang is ~52% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Penang
Malaysia
COL+Rent
17.6
Rent Index
6.3
Groceries
35.7
Restaurant
20.1
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Penang | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $245 | $819 | $574 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $163 | $644 | $481 |
| Groceries | $191 | $271 | $80 |
| Restaurant Meal | $5 | $14 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $16 | $75 | $59 |
| Utilities | $47 | $82 | $35 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Penang | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $380/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $574/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $724/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Penang | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,153/mo | +$1,653 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,205/mo | +$2,205 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,307/mo | +$3,307 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Penang vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Penang is approximately 52% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Penang's COL+Rent Index of 17.6 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Penang costs $245/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Penang a $574/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,888 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Penang ($191/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Penang's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $5 vs $14 show Penang is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Penang offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $574 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.