Settled Nomad

City Comparisons

Can't decide between two cities? Side-by-side comparisons across every metric that matters — cost, internet, safety, visa, and lifestyle.

Not looking for a head-to-head?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between two digital nomad cities?

Compare the four factors that matter most: monthly budget (studio + coworking + food), internet speed (50 Mbps minimum for video calls), visa length (can you stay long enough to justify the move cost?), and timezone alignment with your clients. Cost and internet are the hardcoded minimums — lifestyle factors like climate, language, and nomad community density are the tiebreakers.

Which digital nomad city is cheapest in Southeast Asia?

Chiang Mai is consistently the cheapest major nomad base in Southeast Asia — a full nomad lifestyle (studio, coworking, food, transport) runs $800–1,200/month. Bali Canggu is next at $1,200–1,800/month but offers better internet infrastructure. Bangkok is $1,000–1,500/month with the strongest coworking ecosystem in the region.

Is Lisbon or Medellín better for digital nomads?

Medellín wins on cost ($1,200–1,600/month vs Lisbon's $2,000–2,800/month) and year-round spring climate. Lisbon wins on visa options (Portugal D8 digital nomad visa), EU access, and English proficiency. Medellín is better for budget nomads; Lisbon is better for EU-based nomads and those who want a clear legal framework for longer stays.

What nomad score makes a city worth moving to?

Settled Nomad's nomad score combines internet speed, cost, safety, walkability, English friendliness, and visa flexibility. A score of 8+ indicates an excellent all-around nomad base. 7–7.9 is solid with one or two trade-offs. Below 6.5, the city likely has a significant weakness — usually internet reliability, safety, or visa complexity — that experienced nomads have learned to work around.

New city comparisons + cost data, monthly

Get the free Nomad Relocation Checklist (60+ items) when you subscribe. Monthly updates when significant cost or quality-of-life changes hit any of our 80+ tracked cities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.