Top 10 cheapest cities for digital nomads

The full Top 10

#	City	Monthly cost	Score	Safety	Internet	US passport
1	Da Nang Vietnam	$589	56	68	63	e-visa
2	Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam	$716	56.1	68	65	e-visa
3	Kathmandu Nepal	$716	46.4	60	58	on arrival
4	Medellín Colombia	$791	54	25	61	90 days
5	Sofia Bulgaria	$826	66.4	73	74	90 days
6	Hanoi Vietnam	$826	54.5	68	61	e-visa
7	Belgrade Serbia	$881	61.2	68	66	90 days
8	Mérida Mexico	$881	61.2	28	60	180 days
9	Bogotá Colombia	$881	61	25	60	90 days
10	Batumi Georgia	$881	60.9	59	60	360 days

* 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 296 that qualify, with balanced scores from 46 to 66. The 10 with a city-level price run from $589 to $881 a month for one person. They span Asia, Latin America and Europe; 2 of the 10 are in countries with a digital-nomad visa.

The ten, one by one

1. 1. Da Nang

   Da Nang, Vietnam: Beach city with Vietnam's best value. It scores 56/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and air quality and weakest on getting there & around. About $589 a month for one person including rent, 23.1 Mbps measured download and 2 of 12 comfortable months.

2. 2. Ho Chi Minh City

   Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Frenetic, entrepreneurial and cheap. It scores 56/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and healthcare and weakest on getting there & around. About $716 a month for one person including rent, 26.2 Mbps measured download and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

3. 3. Kathmandu

   Kathmandu, Nepal: Gateway to the Himalayas. It scores 46/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and safety and weakest on getting there & around. About $716 a month for one person including rent, 17.1 Mbps measured download and 5 of 12 comfortable months.

4. 4. Medellín

   Medellín, Colombia: Spring weather year-round and a famous nomad scene. It scores 54/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and healthcare and weakest on climate. About $791 a month for one person including rent, 22.6 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visitor visa (Visa V) and 0 of 12 comfortable months.

5. 5. Sofia

   Sofia, Bulgaria: Mountain-side capital with EU prices from a decade ago. It scores 66/100 under balanced weights, best for air quality and cost of living and weakest on climate. About $826 a month for one person including rent, 49.3 Mbps measured download and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

6. 6. Hanoi

   Hanoi, Vietnam: Old Quarter charm and lakeside cafés. It scores 55/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and healthcare and weakest on getting there & around. About $826 a month for one person including rent, 20.3 Mbps measured download and 7 of 12 comfortable months.

7. 7. Belgrade

   Belgrade, Serbia: Nightlife capital of the Balkans. It scores 61/100 under balanced weights, best for cost of living and quality of life and weakest on getting there & around. About $881 a month for one person including rent, 33.1 Mbps measured download and 5 of 12 comfortable months.

8. 8. Mérida

   Mérida, Mexico: Safe colonial city near cenotes and coast. It scores 61/100 under balanced weights, best for visa ease and cost of living and weakest on getting there & around. About $881 a month for one person including rent, 23 Mbps measured download and 7 of 12 comfortable months.

9. 9. Bogotá

   Bogotá, Colombia: High-altitude capital with a growing tech scene. It scores 61/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and cost of living and weakest on safety. About $881 a month for one person including rent, 20.8 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visitor visa (Visa V) and 7 of 12 comfortable months.

10. 10. Batumi

    Batumi, Georgia: Black Sea resort with Georgia's visa freedom. It scores 61/100 under balanced weights, best for visa ease and cost of living and weakest on getting there & around. About $881 a month for one person including rent, 21.5 Mbps measured download and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

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