Cost of living in Penang: what the official tariffs and statistics say

The short version

• Penang's overall consumer price index was 140.1 in August 2026, against 137.7 in August 2025. That is about 1.7% higher (140.1 divided by 137.7).
• The official median household income in Penang was RM7,386 a month in 2024.
• The domestic water rate for the first 20 cubic metres a month is RM0.65 per cubic metre from 1 July 2026, with a RM6.50 minimum charge.
• Until 31 December 2026, TNB home users who use 800 kWh a month or less are exempt from three charges.
• The Penang ferry costs RM2.00 for an adult.

Prices overall: the consumer price index

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) publishes a consumer price index (CPI) for each state. It tracks the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services, with 2010 as the base year (2010 = 100). The figures below are for Pulau Pinang.

By our arithmetic from those index values, prices over the year rose about 1.8% for food and beverages, 2.4% for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 1.4% for transport, and 1.9% for restaurants and accommodation. An index shows changes, not what you will pay for a plate of food or a month's rent, and no official Penang page gives typical rents or food prices. DOSM also warns that your own rate of inflation may be higher or lower than the average.

Sources: DOSM CPI by state and full dataset, read 2026-10-11.

Household income

DOSM's figures for Penang in 2024 are a median gross monthly household income of RM7,386 and a mean of RM9,152. These are not adjusted for inflation. DOSM says that data from 1989 onwards refers to Malaysian citizens only.

Source: DOSM household income by state, read 2026-10-11.

Water

PBAPP's own tariff FAQ lists the Penang rates for a domestic home with an individual meter. The table below shows the rate before and the rate "from 1.7.2026". The FAQ edition is dated September 2025.

The minimum charge goes from RM6.20 to RM6.50. As an example, 20 cubic metres in a month at RM0.65 comes to RM13.00, our arithmetic. PBAPP's tariff page also carries a 2026 tariff image and a bill calculator. The tariff image is not text, so use the PBAPP tariff page to confirm the live figure.

PBAPP's FAQ also describes a Rebate Mesra Keluarga of RM10 a month for households of eight people or more with household income of RM5,580 or less, and a Rebate Mutiara for households with income of RM1,036 or less a month who are recommended by the District Office.

Sources: PBAPP tariff FAQ and PBAPP tariff page, read 2026-10-11.

Electricity

TNB says the tariff changed on 1 July 2025. Before that date it was tiered by how much you used. Since then it is a single energy charge, broken into clear parts, and a fuel cost adjustment is updated every month.

For September to December 2026, TNB announced on 18 September 2026 that the protection level for domestic customers rose from 600 kWh to 800 kWh a month. Home customers using 800 kWh a month or less are exempt from the automatic fuel adjustment (AFA), the retail charge and service tax. The exemption applies to use from 1 September to 31 December 2026.

TNB's pages do not show a sen-per-kWh table for homes in text. Its billing page points to myelectricitybill.my for working out a bill.

Sources: TNB tariff explainer and TNB announcement, 18 Sep 2026, read 2026-10-11.

The ferry

The Penang Port Commission (SPPP) lists an adult ferry fare of RM 2.00, a child aged 5 to 11 at RM 1.00, and free travel for children aged 4 and under and for disabled people (OKU). A motorcycle is RM 2.50 and a bicycle RM 2.00.

Source: SPPP ferry service, read 2026-10-11.

Related

• Services: plumbers, cleaning, aircon, movers and electricians.
• What changed: official notices, such as tariff changes.
• What's on: events across Penang.
• Eat in George Town: shortlists for eating out.