⚖️ City comparison

Penang vs Taipei

Penang (Malaysia) and Taipei (Taiwan), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.

The short version

Penang is 44% cheaper: $925 vs $1,649 a month all-in for one person.
Rent is lower in Penang: $404 vs $803 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
Taipei has more pleasant weather: 4 pleasant months a year vs none in Penang, which is hot or humid all year.
Penang is warmer: highs average 7°F more across the year (coldest-month high 85°F vs 67°F in Taipei; hottest 90°F vs 92°F).
Residents rate Taipei safer: a safety index of 83 vs 71 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
Malaysia has a nomad visa ($2,000/mo); Taiwan has a nomad visa ($1,667/mo).

Measure	🇲🇾 Penang	🇹🇼 Taipei
⭐ Fit score (default weights)	81	82
💰 All-in / month	$925	$1,649
🏠 1BR rent, centre	$404	$803
🛒 Living costs, no rent	$521	$846
☀️ Pleasant months	0	4
🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month	85–90°F	67–92°F
🛡️ Safety	71/100 (residents)	83/100 (residents)
📶 Internet, median download	250 Mbps	271 Mbps
🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year	12 µg/m³	10.4 µg/m³
🗣️ English	High (EF)	n/a
🏥 Healthcare access (WHO)	Very high	n/a
👩 Women's safety & rights	Moderate	High
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ equality	Very low	High
✈️ Flight to the US (est.)	~16h to Seattle	~12h to Seattle
🕘 US work-hour overlap	0 h	0 h
🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport)	90 days	90 days
🛂 Nomad visa	DE Rantau Nomad Pass	Digital Nomad Visa (Jan 2025) / Employment Gold Card
🧾 Tax if resident	🟢 Friendly · Mostly local income only, top 30%	🟢 Friendly · Mostly local income only, top 40%

🇲🇾 Penang

2 best months

🇹🇼 Taipei

5 best months

Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Penang climate · Taipei climate.

Data last updated September 7, 2026 · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research