Top 10 nomad cities under $1,000 a month

The full Top 10

#	City	Score	Monthly cost	Safety	Internet	US passport
1	Buenos Aires Argentina	68.5	$973	61	53	90 days
2	Sofia Bulgaria	66.4	$826	73	74	90 days
3	Penang (George Town) Malaysia	64.5	$958	78	88	90 days
4	Belgrade Serbia	61.2	$881	68	66	90 days
5	Mérida Mexico	61.2	$881	28	60	180 days
6	Bogotá Colombia	61	$881	25	60	90 days
7	Batumi Georgia	60.9	$881	59	60	360 days
8	Guadalajara Mexico	60.7	$991	28	64	180 days
9	Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam	56.1	$716	68	65	e-visa
10	Da Nang Vietnam	56	$589	68	63	e-visa

* 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 23 that qualify, with balanced scores from 56 to 69. The 10 with a city-level price run from $589 to $991 a month for one person. They span Latin America, Europe and Asia; 3 of the 10 are in countries with a digital-nomad visa.

The ten, one by one

1. 1. 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.

2. 2. 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.

3. 3. 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.

4. 4. 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.

5. 5. 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.

6. 6. 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.

7. 7. 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.

8. 8. Guadalajara

   Guadalajara, Mexico: Mexico's tech city with mariachi roots. It scores 61/100 under balanced weights, best for visa ease and climate and weakest on safety. About $991 a month for one person including rent, 27.1 Mbps measured download and 10 of 12 comfortable months.

9. 9. 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.

10. 10. 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.

Frequently asked