Area guide

Student housing in Penang

A state in the north-west of the peninsula, home to Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Universities nearby

Public university
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Gelugor (Minden), Penang Island, George Town
Tuition from ≈ USD 2,980 a yearRM 12,153≈ PKR 826,000
181 programmes listed
Partner universityOffers online (ODL) programmes

Room types and monthly prices

Rents published by the universities and their listed residences, with an approximate US dollar figure first. Prices change each semester, so treat them as a guide.

Room	Amount	Source
Single roomPrivate room near USM (off-campus, per room)Third-party estimate	USD 75–125 a month · as published≈ RM 306–510≈ PKR 20,800–34,660	Source: admission.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19
RoomUSM on-campus accommodation (single or twin sharing)	USD 30–75 a month · as published≈ RM 122–306≈ PKR 8,320–20,800	Source: admission.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19

Living costs

What the universities say a month of food, transport and daily costs comes to. Check whether rent is included before adding it to a room price.

Item	Amount	Source
Living costsLiving expenses excluding rent, Penang (USM Graduate School of Business guidance)	USD 2,500 a year · as published≈ RM 10,200≈ PKR 693,000	Source: gsb.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19

≈ marks an approximate conversion, at fixed rates as of 2026-10-18: 1 USD = RM 4.08; 1 MYR = PKR 67.94. Banks and money-transfer services charge more.

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Getting around

Universiti Sains Malaysia's main campus is in Gelugor on Penang Island, south of George Town. Rapid Penang buses serve the island; there is no urban rail line on the island yet, so many students live on or near campus.

Halal food and mosques

Penang is known for its food, and halal options are easy to find, especially at the many mamak and Malay restaurants. There are mosques across the island.

Before you book

Check where your programme is taught before you book a room. USM teaches engineering at its campus in Nibong Tebal on the mainland, and medicine and biomedical science at its health campus in Kelantan, far from Penang. USM publishes its housing and living-cost figures in US dollars.

Updated 2026-10-19

Book through TJS Studysteps

TJS Studysteps, our operations partner in Malaysia, arranges your housing and helps you settle in when you arrive. Tell your counsellor your budget and the room type you prefer.

Talk to a counsellorWhatsApp us

Other areas

Room

Amount

Source

Single roomPrivate room near USM (off-campus, per room)Third-party estimate

USD 75–125 a month · as published≈ RM 306–510

Source: admission.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19

RoomUSM on-campus accommodation (single or twin sharing)

USD 30–75 a month · as published≈ RM 122–306

Source: admission.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19

Item

Amount

Source

Living costsLiving expenses excluding rent, Penang (USM Graduate School of Business guidance)

USD 2,500 a year · as published≈ RM 10,200

Source: gsb.usm.my · checked 2026-10-19