Is it profitable to do Airbnb in Penang, Malaysia?
What is the occupancy rate of Airbnb in Penang, Malaysia?
What is the average daily rate of Airbnb in Penang, Malaysia?
Airbnb Revenue in Penang, Malaysia: 2025 Short-Term Rental Data & Insights
Average Airbnb Revenue in Penang
A typical short-term rental in Penang is booked for 146 nights per year, generating a medium Airbnb occupancy rate of 40% and an average daily rate (ADR) of MYR251 ($53). In June, 2024 - May, 2025, the average annual short-term rental revenue in Penang was MYR36K ($7K). As of 4th July, 2025, there are 860 active Airbnb listings in Penang.

Penang Airbnb Income Data Summary
Penang Average Monthly Revenue
MYR3,068 ($646)
Penang YoY Revenue Change
-2.04%
Penang Average Airbnb Occupancy Rate
40%
Penang Average Daily Rate
MYR251 ($53)
Budget
Penang Number of Listings
1,188
Medium
Airbnb Seasonality in Penang
Strong
Most Profitable Month for Airbnb in Penang
December
** Period: June, 2024 - May, 2025 | Last Updated on: 4th July, 2025
Penang Airbnb Revenue by Month
June, 2024 - May, 2025
Low
MYR2,173
Average
MYR2,785
High
MYR3,500
Is Airbnb Profitable in Penang, Malaysia?
A 40% median occupancy rate is considered a risky market to do an Airbnb. There are definitely few hosts making good income, but you may struggle to get year-round bookings. We suggest you do further research on this market.
Tip! investing in a short-term rental can be highly stable and profitable. It's stable because housing has been one of the most stable asset classes. Also, when you can't do an Airbnb anymore, you can still rent it out to a long-term tenant with a lower yield. It is highly profitable because the monthly cash flow from short-term rental investment typically is double the amount of traditional rentals.
Demand by Amenities
Average Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Penang
You can find the distribution graph of daily rate and revenue in our market dashboard. A typical Penang listing recorded a 40% average short-term rental occupancy between June, 2024 - May, 2025. The Penang vacation rental market has Strong seasonality, with December and September being the busiest months for Airbnb hosts.
About 11.15% of Penang Airbnb guests are international guests, and visitors from Malaysia constitute the largest group. Learn more about guest origin to inform your vacation rental marketing strategy.
On the graph below, you can see the occupancy rate distribution per number of listings.
To view the distribution of average daily rates and annual revenue, refer to our Penang market dashboard.
About 11.15% of Penang Airbnb guests are international guests, and visitors from Malaysia constitute the largest group. Learn more about guest origin to inform your vacation rental marketing strategy.
On the graph below, you can see the occupancy rate distribution per number of listings.
To view the distribution of average daily rates and annual revenue, refer to our Penang market dashboard.
Occupancy Rate: 40%
860 Active Listings
Starting an Airbnb in Penang: Short-Term Rental Regulations
Before launching an Airbnb in Penang, it's important to understand the local short-term rental rules and regulations. While Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar listing platforms are widely used in Penang, the legal landscape can be complex, especially for a beginner host.
In general, Penang Airbnb regulations are lenient at the city level, but zoning regulations might apply to some parts of the market. Hosts might be required to register their short-term rentals with local authorities, and there might be limitations on the number of licenses that a single host can hold. You also need to pay applicable Airbnb taxes to make your Penang vacation rental business legally compliant.
In general, Penang Airbnb regulations are lenient at the city level, but zoning regulations might apply to some parts of the market. Hosts might be required to register their short-term rentals with local authorities, and there might be limitations on the number of licenses that a single host can hold. You also need to pay applicable Airbnb taxes to make your Penang vacation rental business legally compliant.
Signup and check out more in-depth vacation rental data for free.
Explore Penang's Airbnb Data ⟶

Most Profitable Areas for Vacation Rentals in Penang
Wondering where to invest in Penang for the best Airbnb returns? Look no further!
The best Airbnb markets in Penang are:
The best Airbnb markets in Penang are:
- Mukim 18
- Airbnb Annual Revenue: MYR57,983 ($12,207)
- Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 55%
- Airbnb Average Daily Rate: MYR285 ($60)
- Mukim 11
- Airbnb Annual Revenue: MYR45,828 ($9,648)
- Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 45%
- Airbnb Average Daily Rate: MYR270 ($57)
- Mukim 12
- Airbnb Annual Revenue: MYR44,046 ($9,273)
- Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 47%
- Airbnb Average Daily Rate: MYR247 ($52)
- Bandar Kulim
- Mukim 6
- Bandar Butterworth
- Mukim 14
- Mukim 13
- Mukim 15
- Mukim 7
Find the top Airbnb location in Penang for your specific needs and aspirations.
Most Popular Airbnbs in Penang
Airbtics has been tracking all Airbnb listings since 2019. This allows us to understand interesting metrics, like which properties earn the most in the market. Here are our top picks. Go to the app to find detailed information about 860 listings.
See Airbnb Statistics on All 860 Listings
Professional Airbnb Property Managers in Penang
You can turn your Penang Airbnb investment into a source of passive income and navigate the short-term rental regulatory framework easily by hiring one of the best Airbnb property management companies in the area.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the professional short-term rental property managers in Penang with the most Airbnb properties.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the professional short-term rental property managers in Penang with the most Airbnb properties.
Find out the top Airbnb management company in Penang, Malaysia for your needs.
Other short-term rental market data in Penang
Here is a breakdown of short-let properties in Penang. You might wonder about more specific data before buying an Airbnb property. For example, how much can an average listing with 4 bedrooms and a pool make? Or, what is the seasonality in booking? When is the peak month? Click the below button and check out more in-depth vacation rental data for free.
Penang Airbnb Listings by Property Size
Penang Airbnb Listings by Property Type
Penang Airbnb Listings by Cancelation Policy Type
Penang Vacation Rentals by Channel
Estimate Your Potential Earnings in Penang with the Airbtics Airbnb Calculator
Ready to start looking for the most profitable Airbnb investment opportunities in Penang?
Use our Airbnb income calculator to instantly get an accurate estimate of the earning potential of any neighborhood and area.
Use our Airbnb income calculator to instantly get an accurate estimate of the earning potential of any neighborhood and area.
Penang Airbnb FAQs
How Much Can You Make on Airbnb in Penang, Malaysia?
The average Penang Airbnb host was able to make MYR36K ($7K) in June, 2024 - May, 2025. Your actual vacation rental revenue can vary depending on your listing's location, type, size, amenities, target guest persona, property management style, marketing strategy, and other factors. Check out our detailed Penang Airbnb data to see how different factors affect revenue and estimate your potential income.
How Profitable Is Airbnb in Penang?
With an ADR of MYR251 ($53) and a median occupancy rate of 40%, short-term rentals in Penang can be very profitable. However, exactly how much money you can make from Airbnb in Penang is determined by multiple factors. Remember that profitable Airbnb investments start with the best location. Buy an Airbnb property in one of the most profitable locations in Penang.
What Is the ROI on Airbnb in Penang?
The return on investment (ROI) on Airbnb properties in Penang depends on factors like the purchase price, rental income, and operating costs. While the exact ROI varies by property, you can get an estimate by using key metrics such as annual rental income, daily rates, and occupancy.In Penang, the annual Airbnb revenue is MYR36K ($7K). To estimate your ROI, compare this income against your property's purchase price and operating expenses. Our Airbnb calculator can help you run the numbers based on your investment and strategy.
What Is the Average Occupancy Rate for Airbnb in Penang?
The median Airbnb occupancy rate in Penang was 40% in June, 2024 - May, 2025. However, your actual occupancy depends on many factors, such as your property type, number of bedrooms, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts.
How Many Airbnbs Are There in Penang?
As of March 2025, there are 860 active listings on the Airbnb platform in Penang.