Top 10 big cities for digital nomads

The full Top 10

#	City	Population	Score	Monthly cost	Air	Mobility
1	Madrid Spain	3.3M	70.9	$2,535	88	74
2	Hong Kong Hong Kong	7.5M	68.8	$3,138	75	56
3	London United Kingdom	8.9M	68.6	$4,481	86	95
4	Buenos Aires Argentina	3.1M	68.5	$973	91	40
5	Sydney Australia	5.3M	68.5	$3,538	96	40
6	Berlin Germany	3.8M	66.9	$2,479	86	58
7	Incheon South Korea	3.0M	66.6	$1,577	61	49
8	Melbourne Australia	5.2M	65.8	$2,820	94	41
9	New York City United States	8.3M	65.8	$3,377	95	78
10	Tokyo Japan	14.1M	65.8	$2,175	87	63

* country-level cost estimate. Lists ranked by overall score put cities with a city-level price first; country-wide estimates only fill a list with fewer than ten. Scores are 0–100 under balanced weights; open a city for every number and its source.

What the data says

These 10 cities are the best of 116 that qualify, with balanced scores from 66 to 71. The 10 with a city-level price run from $973 to $4,481 a month for one person. They span Europe, Asia, Latin America, Oceania and North America; 4 of the 10 are in countries with a digital-nomad visa.

The ten, one by one

1. 1. Madrid

   Madrid, Spain: High-energy capital with Spain's best transport. It scores 71/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and air quality and weakest on cost of living. About $2,535 a month for one person including rent, 59 Mbps measured download, the International teleworking visa (digital nomad visa) and 5 of 12 comfortable months.

2. 2. Hong Kong

   Hong Kong, Hong Kong: Dense, efficient, and exceptionally connected. It scores 69/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and quality of life and weakest on cost of living. About $3,138 a month for one person including rent, 42.5 Mbps measured download and 7 of 12 comfortable months.

3. 3. London

   London, United Kingdom: Global hub with the deepest job market in Europe. It scores 69/100 under balanced weights, best for quality of life and getting there & around and weakest on cost of living. About $4,481 a month for one person including rent, 50.9 Mbps measured download and 3 of 12 comfortable months.

4. 4. Buenos Aires

   Buenos Aires, Argentina: European grandeur at Latin American prices. It scores 69/100 under balanced weights, best for air quality and quality of life and weakest on getting there & around. About $973 a month for one person including rent, 16.3 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad transitory residence and 8 of 12 comfortable months.

5. 5. Sydney

   Sydney, Australia: Harbour city with beaches in the suburbs. It scores 69/100 under balanced weights, best for quality of life and air quality and weakest on cost of living. About $3,538 a month for one person including rent, 44.2 Mbps measured download and 10 of 12 comfortable months.

6. 6. Berlin

   Berlin, Germany: Creative, affordable-for-Western-Europe capital. It scores 67/100 under balanced weights, best for quality of life and healthcare and weakest on cost of living. About $2,479 a month for one person including rent, 46.5 Mbps measured download and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

7. 7. Incheon

   Incheon, South Korea: Seoul's airport and port city, with the Songdo smart district. It scores 67/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and internet and weakest on climate. About $1,577 a month for one person including rent, 84 Mbps measured download, the Workcation (digital nomad) visa (F-1-D) and 3 of 12 comfortable months.

8. 8. Melbourne

   Melbourne, Australia: Coffee, culture and trams. It scores 66/100 under balanced weights, best for quality of life and air quality and weakest on cost of living. About $2,820 a month for one person including rent, 42.9 Mbps measured download and 6 of 12 comfortable months.

9. 9. New York City

   New York City, United States: The city that never sleeps, at a price that never sleeps either. It scores 66/100 under balanced weights, best for quality of life and air quality and weakest on cost of living. About $3,377 a month for one person including rent, 69.2 Mbps measured download and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

10. 10. Tokyo

    Tokyo, Japan: The world's largest city, running like clockwork. It scores 66/100 under balanced weights, best for safety and healthcare and weakest on climate. About $2,175 a month for one person including rent, 43.7 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visa (Designated Activities) and 1 of 12 comfortable months.

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