Top 10 cities for digital nomads in Asia

The full Top 10

#	City	Score	Monthly cost	Safety	Internet	Nomad visa	US passport
1	Taipei Taiwan	71	$1,817	86	73	yes	90 days
2	Hong Kong Hong Kong	68.8	$3,138	87	72	no	90 days
3	Fukuoka Japan	66.9	$1,408	94	87	yes	90 days
4	Incheon South Korea	66.6	$1,577	87	88	yes	90 days
5	Tokyo Japan	65.8	$2,175	94	72	yes	90 days
6	Seoul South Korea	65.1	$1,987	87	82	yes	90 days
7	Osaka Japan	64.9	$1,690	94	74	yes	90 days
8	Busan South Korea	64.7	$1,555	87	87	yes	90 days
9	Penang (George Town) Malaysia	64.5	$958	78	88	yes	90 days
10	Johor Bahru Malaysia	61.9	$1,037	78	86	yes	90 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 371 that qualify, with balanced scores from 62 to 71. The 10 with a city-level price run from $958 to $3,138 a month for one person. They span Asia; 9 of the 10 are in countries with a digital-nomad visa.

The ten, one by one

1. 1. Taipei

   Taipei, Taiwan: Safe, efficient and surprisingly affordable. It scores 71/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and safety and weakest on cost of living. About $1,817 a month for one person including rent, 44.8 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visitor visa and 7 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. Fukuoka

   Fukuoka, Japan: Japan's startup city, compact and coastal. It scores 67/100 under balanced weights, best for safety and healthcare and weakest on climate. About $1,408 a month for one person including rent, 81.9 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visa (Designated Activities) and 1 of 12 comfortable months.

4. 4. 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.

5. 5. 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.

6. 6. Seoul

   Seoul, South Korea: Fast internet, fast pace, 24-hour city. It scores 65/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and safety and weakest on climate. About $1,987 a month for one person including rent, 71.5 Mbps measured download, the Workcation (digital nomad) visa (F-1-D) and 3 of 12 comfortable months.

7. 7. Osaka

   Osaka, Japan: Japan's food capital with Tokyo's rail and lower rents. It scores 65/100 under balanced weights, best for safety and healthcare and weakest on climate. About $1,690 a month for one person including rent, 48.7 Mbps measured download, the Digital nomad visa (Designated Activities) and 0 of 12 comfortable months.

8. 8. Busan

   Busan, South Korea: Beaches and mountains on Korea's south coast. It scores 65/100 under balanced weights, best for healthcare and safety and weakest on climate. About $1,555 a month for one person including rent, 82.7 Mbps measured download, the Workcation (digital nomad) visa (F-1-D) and 2 of 12 comfortable months.

9. 9. Penang (George Town)

   Penang (George Town), Malaysia: Street-food capital with heritage streets. It scores 65/100 under balanced weights, best for internet and safety and weakest on getting there & around. About $958 a month for one person including rent, 93.6 Mbps measured download, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass and 4 of 12 comfortable months.

10. 10. Johor Bahru

    Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Singapore's neighbour at Malaysian prices. It scores 62/100 under balanced weights, best for internet and safety and weakest on climate. About $1,037 a month for one person including rent, 86.4 Mbps measured download, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass and 0 of 12 comfortable months.

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