Is the cost of living in Penang expensive? Locals weigh in
GEORGETOWN - With a population of over 70,000 residents, Penang is a small tropical island off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
With the various tourist attractions, Penangites strongly agree that the cost of living on the island is much more expensive than on the mainland.
Lim Phaik Ting, a 47-year-old Penangnite, strongly agreed that the cost of living on Penang Island is expensive because the state is a recognised and popular tourist attraction.
She added that due to the increase in tourists, prices have started increasing and have become very expensive, especially food items.
"The sellers here are offering the maximum price. For example, on Penang Island, the price of Nasi Kandar (a popular northern Malaysian dish from Penang, originally introduced by Tamil Muslim traders from India) is RM 15.
"However, on the mainland, such as in Bukit Mertajam district, you can get only RM 10. That’s a huge difference," she added.
Besides food, she further made a comparison to the house rental here, claiming that the house rental on the island is more expensive than the mainland.
"So, I agree that the mainland living costs are cheaper, as you can get food and house rent at an affordable price," she stressed.
Another Penangite, Adib Johari, a 24-year-old, also pointed out that Penang Island is more expensive as compared to the mainland in terms of properties.
"Penang Island is scarce in land, and due to that, the house price in Penang Island is extremely high.
"On top of that, there are more job opportunities there, so that’s why the housing market has skyrocketed," Adib added.
However, Adib pointed out a different view from Lim, claiming that the food prices were the same for both places.
Danish Jafri, a 24-year-old Penangnite who was studying in Kuala Lumpur previously, gave a different view, claiming that the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is the same as in Penang.
"As a student in Kuala Lumpur before, I think that the cost of living in these two states is pretty much the same, especially food. I spend RM20 per day to buy food.
"When we are looking at the house rental, I can also see that it’s quite the same. But I believe other cities in Malaysia are offering cheap house rentals, such as Kedah or Kelantan.
"However, for me, to live here is still okay if you’re still single; just rent a room and go to the office by motorcycle; that is how to cut the cost," Danish elaborated.
He further explained that many Penangnites are working on Penang Island but living on the mainland, namely in Perai, to cut down on their expenses.
"Yes, I agree that the price of goods on Penang Island is more expensive than on the mainland. However, I still agree that Kuala Lumpur and Penang are similar in terms of cost of living," he elaborated.
