1 June 2026·7 min read
Typical monthly gross by Penang area (2025–2026 benchmark)
- George Town heritage core 1-bedroom: RM 4,200 – RM 6,800 gross/month at 75–88% occupancy.
- Tanjung Tokong & Tanjung Bungah seaview 1-bedroom (Maritime, Nautilus, Straits Garden): RM 4,500 – RM 7,500 gross/month at 78–90% occupancy.
- Karpal Singh Drive 2-bedroom seaview: RM 6,500 – RM 10,500 gross/month at 70–85% occupancy.
- Batu Ferringhi beachside 2-bedroom: RM 7,000 – RM 12,000 gross/month, very seasonal (peaks Nov–Feb and school holidays).
- Bayan Lepas / airport-side 1-bedroom: RM 3,200 – RM 5,200 gross/month, weekday business demand dominant.
What moves your number up or down
- View, floor and natural light — sea-view, high-floor units consistently command 20–35% higher ADR than internal-facing units in the same block.
- Furnishing quality — hotel-grade linen, real cookware, fast Wi-Fi and proper photography move conversion sharply on Airbnb and Booking.com.
- Multi-platform listing — single-platform listings cap at 60–70% occupancy. Airbnb + Booking.com + Agoda on one synced calendar typically adds 12–22 percentage points of occupancy.
- Dynamic pricing — flat year-round pricing leaves 15–25% revenue on the table during Penang event weeks (CNY, Songkran, school holidays, F1, marathon weekends).
- Operator response time — sub-5-minute Airbnb response rate is a ranking signal; slower responses push your unit down the search.
Gross vs net: what owners actually receive
- Plan for 28–35% of gross to come off the top for housekeeping, linen, consumables, OTA commission and management fee.
- MyBnB's standard structure is a 70/30 split (owner/MyBnB) after real operating costs — owners receive the larger share, and we earn only when you earn.
- Utilities (TNB, water, Wi-Fi, JMB fees) remain owner cost on most units. Budget RM 350–650/month depending on size and air-con use.
Want a candid number for your specific unit?
- Send your building name, unit size and a photo on WhatsApp. We'll give you a real benchmark from comparable units we operate today — no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Are Penang Airbnb earnings guaranteed?
No reputable Penang operator can guarantee earnings — demand, seasonality and competition shift monthly. MyBnB shares benchmark ranges from comparable units we operate and lets the numbers do the talking.
What's the highest-earning Penang area on Airbnb?
On a per-night basis, beachside Batu Ferringhi and seaview Karpal Singh Drive units lead. On a year-round occupancy basis, George Town heritage core and Tanjung Tokong seaview condos are the steadiest.
Is short-stay rental more profitable than long-term tenancy in Penang?
A suitable short-stay unit may generate higher gross revenue than long-term rental, but the owner's final payout depends on occupancy, nightly rate, operating expenses, location and seasonality. We provide a side-by-side projection during assessment.