Owners ask the same question every week: "What can my condo realistically earn on Airbnb in Penang?" The honest answer depends on building, view, furnishing and how the listing is managed — but the spread is much narrower than online forums suggest. Below are real 2026 numbers from MyBnB-managed units across Tanjung Tokong, Karpal Singh Drive, Jelutong and George Town.
2026 earnings by Penang building
ADR = average daily rate. Net = monthly payout to owner after Airbnb / Booking.com fees, cleaning (passed to guest), utilities, consumables and MyBnB's performance commission. Figures reflect rolling 12-month averages across multiple units per building.
| Building | Area | Unit | ADR | Occupancy | Net / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime Suites (sea view) | Tanjung Tokong | 1BR · ~600 sqft | RM 220 – RM 320 | 78 – 86% | RM 3,400 – RM 4,800 |
| Maritime Signature | Tanjung Tokong | 2BR · ~900 sqft | RM 280 – RM 420 | 74 – 82% | RM 4,600 – RM 6,800 |
| Straits Garden Suites | Jelutong / George Town fringe | 1BR · ~550 sqft | RM 180 – RM 260 | 72 – 80% | RM 2,800 – RM 3,900 |
| Nautilus Bay | Karpal Singh Drive | 1BR · ~650 sqft | RM 210 – RM 500 | 74 – 82% | RM 3,200 – RM 4,400 |
| Heritage townhouse | George Town (UNESCO core) | 3BR · whole house | RM 480 – RM 780 | 80 – 88% | RM 8,500 – RM 12,500 |
What separates the top quartile from the median
- Dynamic pricing. Daily rate tuning around school holidays, F1, concerts and Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta lifts ADR 18 – 28% vs static pricing.
- Multi-channel listing. Airbnb + Booking.com + Agoda + Trip.com captures the East-Asian leisure demand that single-platform Penang hosts miss.
- Listing photography. A professional shoot is the single biggest one-time lever — typical uplift 12 – 20% in booked nights within 60 days.
- Responsive guest comms. Consistent replies during service hours (9:30am–6:00pm), with urgent access matters prioritised, protect the Superhost badge and the search ranking that comes with it.
Want the numbers for your building?
Send your building name, unit size and view orientation. We'll return a 12-month projection benchmarked against the closest comparable units we manage — no obligation, no upfront fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Penang condo earn on Airbnb in 2026?
Across the units MyBnB manages in 2026, a well-furnished 1-bedroom Penang condo grosses RM 3,200 – RM 5,400 per month and a 2-bedroom RM 4,800 – RM 7,800, depending on building, view and listing quality. Net to owner after platform fees, cleaning, utilities and management typically lands at 55 – 65% of gross.
Which Penang buildings perform best for short-stay?
Demand concentrates in three pockets: the Gurney / Tanjung Tokong waterfront (Maritime Suites, Maritime Signature, Straits Garden), the Karpal Singh Drive seafront (Nautilus Bay and neighbours), and walkable George Town heritage. Sea-view stacks in Tanjung Tokong consistently print the highest ADR; heritage townhouses win on occupancy.
What's a realistic occupancy rate for Penang Airbnb in 2026?
MyBnB-managed units average 72 – 84% annual occupancy in 2026, materially above the Penang owner-managed average (often 45 – 60%). The gap is mostly dynamic pricing, multi-channel listing across Airbnb / Booking.com / Agoda, and consistent guest response during service hours.
Airbnb vs long-term rental — which wins in Penang?
For 1–2 bedroom condos in the demand pockets above, Airbnb net consistently beats long-term rental by 1.6 – 2.4x once professionally managed. Long-term still wins for inland or low-tourist-traffic buildings, and for owners who prioritise zero involvement over yield.
What costs eat into Airbnb gross in Penang?
Roughly: Airbnb/Booking platform fee (3 – 15%), cleaning (passed to guest), utilities and Wi-Fi (RM 250 – RM 450/month), consumables and linen (RM 120 – RM 220/month), JMB fees, tourism tax pass-through, and management commission. MyBnB's management fee is calculated only from positive net operating profit — no net profit, no management fee.
Can MyBnB share a realistic projection for my unit?
Yes — send your building name, unit size and view orientation via WhatsApp and we'll return a 12-month projection benchmarked against the closest comparable units we currently manage. No obligation, no upfront fee.