For digital nomads, balancing affordability with quality of life is key to sustaining a successful remote lifestyle. While working remotely offers flexibility in location, your destination’s cost of living can greatly influence your budget, work productivity, and travel experience. Thankfully, there are numerous cities around the world where digital nomads can thrive without draining their finances.
Here’s a comparison of some of the best budget-friendly cities for digital nomads, based on average monthly expenses, internet quality, and overall livability.
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Average monthly cost: $800 – $1,200
- Internet: Fast and reliable, with speeds averaging 100 Mbps
- Highlights: Affordable apartments, great street food, strong coworking community
Chiang Mai remains a top destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, friendly locals, and peaceful atmosphere. It has a large community of remote workers and plenty of coworking spaces, which makes it easy to network.
2. Medellín, Colombia
- Average monthly cost: $1,000 – $1,500
- Internet: 50–100 Mbps in most neighborhoods
- Highlights: Spring-like climate year-round, vibrant culture, solid public transport
Medellín offers an attractive blend of affordability and modern amenities. It has become increasingly popular for digital nomads thanks to its transformation into a tech-forward city with ample work-friendly cafés and spaces.
3. Da Nang, Vietnam
- Average monthly cost: $800 – $1,200
- Internet: Up to 80 Mbps
- Highlights: Coastal city with great food, low rent, and beautiful beaches
Da Nang is a lesser-known gem in Southeast Asia. It’s less chaotic than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City but still offers a high quality of life and a growing remote worker scene. The cost of living is low, and local cuisine is both cheap and delicious.
4. Lisbon, Portugal
- Average monthly cost: $1,500 – $2,000
- Internet: 100+ Mbps in most areas
- Highlights: EU residency perks, beach access, strong digital nomad community
While not as cheap as Southeast Asian cities, Lisbon offers excellent value for Europe. The city is scenic, safe, and welcoming. Portugal’s digital nomad visa makes it even more attractive for long-term stays.
5. Tbilisi, Georgia
- Average monthly cost: $900 – $1,300
- Internet: 50–80 Mbps
- Highlights: One-year visa-free stay for many nationalities, cheap food and rent, walkable city
Tbilisi is fast becoming a digital nomad hotspot thanks to its affordability and liberal visa policies. The city has a unique charm, strong local cuisine, and coworking spaces with a growing community of remote professionals.
6. Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
- Average monthly cost: $1,000 – $1,500
- Internet: 25–50 Mbps (can be higher in coworking spaces)
- Highlights: Surf culture, yoga, wellness communities, beachfront coworking spots
Canggu blends tropical beauty with a lively expat scene. While parts of Bali have become more expensive, Canggu remains relatively affordable if you avoid tourist traps. It’s particularly popular among creative professionals and entrepreneurs.
7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Average monthly cost: $900 – $1,400
- Internet: 30–70 Mbps
- Highlights: European vibe, low cost of dining out, active cultural scene
Argentina’s economic fluctuations mean your foreign income can go far here. Buenos Aires offers great food, nightlife, and arts, plus a growing network of coworking spaces.
8. Budapest, Hungary
- Average monthly cost: $1,200 – $1,700
- Internet: 100+ Mbps
- Highlights: Stunning architecture, thriving café culture, central European location
Budapest is a popular hub for nomads exploring Europe on a budget. While more expensive than Southeast Asia, it’s affordable compared to Western Europe and offers a good quality of life, especially for short- to mid-term stays.
9. Sofia, Bulgaria
- Average monthly cost: $1,000 – $1,400
- Internet: 100+ Mbps
- Highlights: Low taxes, EU access, proximity to mountains and beaches
Sofia is an underrated city for digital nomads in Europe. It offers a laid-back lifestyle, reliable internet, and relatively low costs. The city also offers visa pathways through Bulgaria’s position in the EU.
10. Penang, Malaysia
- Average monthly cost: $850 – $1,200
- Internet: Up to 100 Mbps
- Highlights: Multicultural atmosphere, excellent street food, relaxed pace
Penang combines modern infrastructure with old-world charm. With its efficient healthcare, strong expat community, and affordable cost of living, it’s an appealing base for long-term nomads.
Each of these cities brings its own flavor to the digital nomad lifestyle, and the best fit depends on your work needs, personal preferences, and travel goals. Whether you’re looking for beach vibes, city life, or something in between, living affordably without compromising comfort is very much within reach.