City in Malaysia
George Town
George Town is the capital of Penang, on an island off Malaysia's west coast. Its north-east district has about 566,000 residents. InterNations lists more than 6,000 members in its Penang community, and the island has an international school teaching the IB Diploma. [P1] [B2] [E1] [George Town S1]
- Country
- Malaysia
- Region
- Penang
- Population
- 566,300 in 2025. Northeast (Timur Laut) district of Penang Island, which includes downtown George Town; DOSM estimate dated 1 January 2025, rounded to the nearest hundred. The Penang Island City Council also covers the Southwest district (249,900), so the city as a whole is larger. [P1] [B2]
- Weather
- Warm all year [W2]
Why it is here
Why George Town is on the list.
A city is listed when there is evidence that people move there. This is the evidence.
- DOSM's 2025 estimate counts 67,500 non-citizens in the Northeast district, 12% of its residents. The group includes migrant workers and students as well as professionals and retirees. [P1]
- InterNations shows 6,136 members in its Penang community, with members from 20+ nationalities, and a Penang community group of 8,004 members. [E1]
- The International School of Penang (Uplands), in Batu Ferringhi, teaches IGCSE and the IB Diploma and calls itself a first multi-programme IB World School. [George Town S1]
The Fernshore Index
How it grades, factor by factor.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
92 of 100StrongCountry figure
Price level 0.316 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
0 of 100WeakOwn figure
Bayan Lepas (Penang airport), the station for the island: no month has an average daily high of 30 °C or less (the coolest, October, is 31.0 °C), so 0 comfortable months.
Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Bayan Lepas (WMO 48601, Penang airport). Checked 15 October 2026.
Safety
73 of 100StrongCountry figure
Global Peace Index 2026: 12th of 163.
Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026.
Healthcare
67 of 100StrongCountry figure
WHO UHC service coverage index 80 (2023), on the strong anchor.
Source: UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1). Checked 15 October 2026.
Schools
UnknownCountry figure
Our research doesn't cover schools yet.
Community
65 of 100MixedCountry figure
Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 13th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026.
Lifestyle
58 of 100MixedCountry figure
Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 17th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026.
Work and career
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a residence route for remote workers exists (DE Rantau Nomad Pass), but fixed broadband is 13.5 per 100 people (2024), under the 30 line.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Retirement
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: the MM2H Silver pass runs five years and is renewable, but needs a fixed deposit of about US$150,000, over the US$100,000 line; the page names no path to permanent residence. To be safe, have more than US$160,000.
Source: MM2H Silver category. Checked 15 October 2026.
Internet
30 of 100WeakCountry figure
13.55 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
English
88 of 100StrongCountry figure
EF EPI 2025 score 581, 24th.
Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. US citizens are not on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose, so a visa with reference may be needed to re-enter for the pass endorsement.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Canada passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. Canada is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Australia passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. Australia is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, New Zealand passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a stay of a year or more is open without a Malaysian job offer (DE Rantau Nomad Pass: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more, 24 at most), the main holder must be over 18, and there is no deposit or investment. The income test is above US$60,000 a year for most roles (above US$24,000 for tech roles), so the about US$60,000 limit for a strong grade is not met for non-tech work. To be safe, have more than US$61,000. New Zealand is on the immigration list of countries that need no visa for any purpose.
Source: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026); Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara). Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
More on Malaysia.
Cities
Other cities in Malaysia.
Questions about George Town.
How much does it cost to live in George Town?
We found one advert, seen on 10 October 2026: a furnished 618 sq ft one-bedroom at RM 2,300 a month, whose text also says "For Sale", so confirm it is for rent. An agency guide quotes RM 2,200 to RM 2,500 for high-floor sea-view units in one Gurney Drive building. A full budget is unknown.
Can I use the DE Rantau Nomad Pass in George Town, and where is the immigration office?
MDEC says the pass covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, not Sabah or Sarawak, and Penang is in Peninsular Malaysia. The Penang state immigration office is on Jalan Kelasah, Bandar Seberang Jaya. Applications for the pass are made online with MDEC. Rules differ by passport.
What is the weather like in George Town?
At Penang airport, Bayan Lepas, average daily highs run from 31.0 °C (October) to 32.6 °C, with 80.3 to 336.6 mm of rain a month (1991–2020 normals), so no month has a high of 30 °C or less. Canada describes haze from roughly June to October and monsoon rains from November to March.
How big is George Town, and who lives there?
The Northeast district of Penang Island, which includes downtown George Town, had 566,300 residents in January 2025, and DOSM counts 67,500 non-citizens (12%), including migrant workers and students. InterNations lists 6,136 members in Penang. UNESCO lists George Town, with Melaka, as World Heritage.
Are there international schools near George Town?
The International School of Penang (Uplands), in Batu Ferringhi, teaches IGCSE and the IB Diploma and calls itself a first multi-programme IB World School. Our research does not cover fees or other schools yet, so those are unknown, not zero.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [P1] Population Table: Administrative Districts, Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM). Checked 15 October 2026. OpenDOSM population table for administrative districts (annual estimates, dated 1 January 2025, published in thousands to one decimal), 'both sexes, all ages' rows. Timur Laut (Northeast) district, Pulau Pinang: 566.3 thousand residents; 'others (non-citizen)' group 67.5 thousand. Barat Daya (Southwest) district: 249.9 thousand.
- [B2] Northeast District (Penang), Wikipedia (secondary). Checked 15 October 2026. States the district covers the north-eastern half of Penang Island, including downtown George Town, and that both island districts fall under the Penang Island City Council.
- [E1] Expats in Penang, InterNations (private expat network). Checked 15 October 2026. Community page read 15 October 2026: 6,136 members in Penang, 20+ nationalities, 3 interest groups; Penang Community Group 8,004 members. Membership counts are the network's own and include people no longer in the city.
- [George Town S1] The International School of Penang (Uplands), The International School of Penang (Uplands). Checked 15 October 2026. The school's own site: Batu Ferringhi, Penang; IGCSE and IB Diploma; accredited MYP school; 'First Multiprogramme IB World School'; founding year not stated on the page.
- [G1] 15 beaches in Malaysia to be featured in 101 Best Beaches.com Asia, Tourism Malaysia. Checked 15 October 2026. Press release naming beaches in Penang among others; dated 2014.
- [W2] Climate normals 1991–2020, Bayan Lepas (WMO 48601, Penang airport), MetMalaysia (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Monthly mean daily highs 31.0 to 32.6 °C; rain 80.3 to 336.6 mm a month; station at the airport on the south-east of the island.
- [C1] Price level index (GDP), Malaysia, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 31.63 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [Malaysia S1] Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank, Institute for Economics and Peace. Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 12th of 163 countries (score 1.513).
- [H1] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia: 80 out of 100 (2023), read from the WHO GHO API (UHC_INDEX_REPORTED) on 15 October 2026.
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 13th of 31 countries.
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Malaysia ranks 17th of 31 countries.
- [K1] DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Checked 15 October 2026. Professional Visit Pass for remote workers and freelancers: 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 more (24 months at most); income above US$24,000 a year for tech roles and above US$60,000 for other roles; open to all nationalities except Israel; main holder over 18; stay only in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, not Sabah or Sarawak; most banks do not open accounts for pass holders.
- [K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Malaysia, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 13.55 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [R1] MM2H Silver category, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), MM2H portal. Checked 15 October 2026. Page last updated 10/02/2026. Fixed deposit US$150,000 in a Malaysian bank; five-year pass with multiple entry, renewable every five years (renewal fee RM 1,500); no minimum age stated for the main applicant; no mention of permanent residence.
- [F1] EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Malaysia, EF Education First (private test-taker index). Checked 15 October 2026. Score 581, global rank 24; the page does not state the number of countries. The 2026 edition was not yet published on 15 October 2026.
- [V1] Visa requirements by country (Keperluan Visa Mengikut Negara), Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia). Checked 15 October 2026. Page shows Australia, Canada and New Zealand among the countries that need no visa for any purpose of entry; the United States is not on that list, so a visa with reference (VDR) may be needed before re-entry for the pass endorsement. Page header dated 15 October 2026.