Penang vs Kaohsiung: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Penang vs Kaohsiung: Penang runs about $1,170/mo all-in vs $1,160/mo in Kaohsiung — Kaohsiung is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and…
Penang and Kaohsiung cost about the same to live in, Kaohsiung scores higher for safety, and Kaohsiung has the better-rated internet. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: near-identical — $1,170/mo in Penang vs $1,160/mo in Kaohsiung all-in for one person.
- Rent: lower in Kaohsiung ($550/mo vs $600/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: Kaohsiung rates higher (80/100 for Penang vs 92/100 for Kaohsiung).
- Internet: Kaohsiung scores better for remote work (80/100 vs 95/100).
- Climate: Kaohsiung edges ahead (68/100 vs 80/100).
- Visa: both rated Moderate to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: Penang offers the MM2H (My Second Home Visa); Kaohsiung has no comparable retirement visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Penang (88/100 vs 70/100).
- Families: Kaohsiung rates safer for family life (78/100 vs 88/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Kaohsiung (~$1,500/mo vs ~$700/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Kaohsiung logs about 280 sunny days a year vs 250 in Penang.
Frequently asked questions
Is Penang or Kaohsiung cheaper to live in?
Penang costs about $1,170/month all-in for one person; Kaohsiung costs about $1,160/month. They land within $10/mo of each other, so lifestyle and neighbourhood matter more than the city you pick.
How much cheaper is Kaohsiung than Penang?
Barely — the two cities are within $10/month of each other all-in, so the cheaper choice comes down to your neighbourhood and lifestyle, not the city.
Which is safer, Penang or Kaohsiung?
Kaohsiung scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (80/100 for Penang vs 92/100 for Kaohsiung). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Penang or Kaohsiung?
For connectivity, Kaohsiung rates higher (80/100 vs 95/100). On climate, Kaohsiung edges ahead (68/100 vs 80/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Penang or Kaohsiung?
Penang's visa process is rated Moderate (about 6 weeks); Kaohsiung's is rated Moderate (about 4 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Penang and Kaohsiung for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.