Langkawi, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#1860
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to major cities; food and transport are inexpensive, but imported goods can be pricier.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
72%
Weight: 80
Reasonably priced apartments and guesthouses; luxury options are more expensive but still cheaper than big cities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
81%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer very affordable and fresh options; groceries are moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport; taxis and scooter rentals are affordable but necessary due to island layout.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
69%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable; nightlife is modest and mostly centered around beach bars.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; membership prices are moderate but options are limited compared to urban centers.
💱 Currency Stability
80%
Weight: 30
Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Decent internet speeds in main tourist areas but can be inconsistent in remote parts of the island.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most digital nomads rely on cafes or accommodations with WiFi.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but quality and speed vary; good for casual work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but not widespread; power outlets can be scarce.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche destination for digital nomads compared to Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed island lifestyle promotes good work-life balance with plenty of leisure activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Generally good environment with lush nature and beaches; some areas affected by tourism waste.
🧼 Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
Public areas are moderately clean; some beaches and tourist spots can have litter issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
73%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist areas; Malay is the official language but not a major barrier.
💨 Air Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Good air quality overall due to island location; occasional haze from regional forest fires.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families with outdoor activities; limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare facilities available; for advanced care, travel to mainland Malaysia is often needed.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; limited specialist services on the island.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from April to October.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
70%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional heavy rains and flooding possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
85%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural green spaces, rainforests, and parks.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations and cafes.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation due to tropical climate.
🔊 Noise Pollution
72%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet except in tourist hotspots and during festivals.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich Malay and multicultural heritage with local festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
51%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife mostly focused on beach bars and small clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for hiking, beaches, waterfalls, and island exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Variety of eco-tours, island hopping, and cultural experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
47%
Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment options; mostly limited to cafes and small bars.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
80%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options with local Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Some yoga studios and wellness centers exist but not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities are more popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
72%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and seafood widely available; healthy eating options growing.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
76%
Weight: 20
GMT+8 is convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work schedules.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
43%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; mostly informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and dispersed.
🏢 Coworking Quality
42%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
35%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem on the island.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets are common and reliable.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited local infrastructure.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
64%
Weight: 30
Langkawi International Airport connects to major Malaysian cities and some regional destinations.
🚇 Public Transit
30%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on taxis and rentals.
🚶 Walkability
55%
Weight: 20
Walkable in small town areas but limited in rural parts.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
62%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like Grab are available but coverage can be spotty.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Possible but limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Ferries and flights connect to mainland; limited options beyond that.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
83%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are widely available and popular for island travel.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good coverage in populated areas; some remote spots have weaker signals.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
74%
Weight: 40
Visa-free entry for many nationalities for up to 30 days; extensions possible.
📊 Tax Friendliness
65%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60%
Weight: 15
Some restrictions exist but generally safe for expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
72%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Requires local presence and documentation; can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate complexity; foreign ownership allowed but paperwork required.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good lifestyle but limited infrastructure for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community is small and informal.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Some online groups but not very active or large.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Respectful culture; some conservative norms but generally safe for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Multicultural society with good racial tolerance.