Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Lucknow vs Penang

Lucknow vs Penang

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Lucknow 21% cheaper Penang +74 Mbps N/A / High
Nomad Cost

$830

Lucknow

$1,047

Penang

Internet

61

Mbps

135

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Lucknow

High

Penang

Air Quality

5/5

Lucknow

5/5

Penang

Healthcare

N/A

Lucknow

Moderate

Penang

Population

2.9m

Lucknow

740.0k

Penang

Lucknow (India) and Penang (Malaysia) are both in Asia, offering different takes on the nomad lifestyle. Here is how they compare across the metrics that matter most.

Cost of Living

Budget-conscious nomads take note: Lucknow costs $830/mo, saving 21% compared to Penang's $1047/mo — that's $2604 per year.

For families, Lucknow costs $668.408773077319/mo compared to Penang's $1706.003150669517/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Remote workers will appreciate Penang's 135 Mbps (global #0) — considerably faster than Lucknow's 61 Mbps (#0).

Quality of Life

Both Lucknow and Penang share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Lucknow and Penang.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Lucknow is February (around 23 degrees, 0mm rain, score 375), while Penang peaks in July (37 degrees, 1mm rain, score 439). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

LucknowPenang
Nomad$830/mo$1,047/mo
Expat$484/mo$759/mo
Local$191/mo$487/mo
Family$668/mo$1,706/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

LucknowPenang
City Speed
61 Mbps
135 Mbps
Country Speed61 Mbps135 Mbps

Environment & Health

LucknowPenang
Air Quality Score5/55/5
PollutionN/AModerate
ClimateN/AModerate
Humidity1874

Quality of Life

LucknowPenang
SafetyN/AHigh
HealthcareN/AModerate

Monthly Weather Comparison

Lucknow
Penang
Jan
19°
0mm335
37°
3mm395
Feb
23°
0mm375
39°
2mm419
Mar
30°
0mm375
40°
6mm355
Apr
38°
0mm325
41°
12mm257
May
42°
0mm315
39°
22mm226
Jun
44°
0mm315
37°
7mm364
Jul
40°
6mm191
37°
1mm439
Aug
38°
7mm196
37°
17mm226
Sep
37°
2mm303
37°
12mm257
Oct
36°
0mm375
37°
12mm211
Nov
29°
0mm375
37°
11mm242
Dec
22°
0mm355
36°
5mm303

Who Should Choose Lucknow?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $830
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $668.408773077319/mo for families
  • Major city energy with 2.9m residents
  • Peak season in February — 23 degrees, score 375

Who Should Choose Penang?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $1047
  • Excellent for video calls and large uploads with 135 Mbps
  • High safety rating for peace of mind
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1706.003150669517/mo for families
  • Peak season in July — 37 degrees, score 439

Overall Verdict

For the typical digital nomad, Penang is the stronger pick. At $1047/mo it beats Lucknow's $830/mo by 21%, and the 135 Mbps internet handles video calls without issues.

Granular Price Comparison

Lucknow Penang
ItemLucknowPenangDiff
🍽️Restaurants8 items
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$3.07—
—
Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$12.28—
—
McMeal or equivalent combo$3.07—
—
Cappuccino (regular)$1.57—
—
Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$1.84—
—
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.68—
—
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.35—
—
Water (0.33L)$0.18—
—
🛒Markets19 items
Milk (1L)$0.68—
—
White bread (500g)$0.45—
—
White rice (1kg)$0.71—
—
Eggs (12)$1.03—
—
Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.48—
—
Beef round (1kg)$6.52—
—
Local cheese (1kg)$3.96—
—
Apples (1kg)$1.49—
—
Bananas (1kg)$0.58—
—
Oranges (1kg)$0.82—
—
Tomatoes (1kg)$0.43—
—
Potatoes (1kg)$0.25—
—
Onions (1kg)$0.35—
—
Lettuce (1 head)$0.43—
—
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.35—
—
Wine, mid-range bottle$6.14—
—
Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$1.81—
—
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.39—
—
Cigarettes (pack of 20)$4.05—
—
🚌Transport8 items
One-way local transport ticket$0.43—
—
Monthly transport pass$12.28—
—
Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.61—
—
Taxi per 1km$0.15—
—
Taxi 1hr waiting$1.23—
—
Gasoline (1L)$1.25—
—
Volkswagen Golf (new)$14,738.11—
—
Toyota Corolla (new)$24,393.62—
—
⚡Utilities3 items
Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$47.83—
—
Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$8.66—
—
Mobile prepaid per minute$0.02—
—
🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items
Fitness club, monthly$19.96—
—
Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$10.23—
—
Cinema, 1 ticket$3.68—
—
👶Childcare2 items
Preschool, full-day private/mo$51.34—
—
International primary school/yr$1,271.16—
—
👗Clothing4 items
Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$27.55—
—
Summer dress (chain store)$34.39—
—
Nike running shoes (mid-range)$40.91—
—
Men's leather business shoes$38.92—
—
🏠Rent4 items
1-bedroom apartment, city centre$122.82—
—
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.99—
—
3-bedroom apartment, city centre$305.51—
—
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$180.13—
—
🏗️Buy2 items
Price per m², city centre$1,067.19—
—
Price per m², outside centre$599.7—
—
💰Finance2 items
Average monthly net salary$569.74—
—
Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$8.47—
—

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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