$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
🌴
Best Cities in Southeast Asia for Digital Nomads
The world's best nomad region — ranked
Southeast Asia has anchored the digital nomad movement for over a decade. Fast internet, incredible food, low costs, and a mature nomad infrastructure across multiple countries make it the default starting point for most location-independent workers. These are the region's best cities across every budget and lifestyle.
13 cities
$Playbook9.0
$PlaybookBali (Canggu)
Indonesia
40 Mbps
3/10
7/10
7/10
$$$PlaybookSingapore
Singapore
500 Mbps
9/10
10/10
10/10
$PlaybookBangkok
Thailand
90 Mbps
4/10
7/10
5/10
$PlaybookDa Nang
Vietnam
55 Mbps
5/10
9/10
3/10
$PlaybookPenang
Malaysia
100 Mbps
7/10
8/10
9/10
$PlaybookHo Chi Minh City
Vietnam
70 Mbps
5/10
7.5/10
6/10
$PlaybookCebu
Philippines
100 Mbps
5/10
7/10
9/10
$PlaybookHanoi
Vietnam
70 Mbps
6/10
7.5/10
6/10
$PlaybookUbud
Indonesia
50 Mbps
5/10
8.5/10
8/10
$PlaybookKuala Lumpur
Malaysia
100 Mbps
5/10
7/10
8/10
$PlaybookPhnom Penh
Cambodia
80 Mbps
6/10
6.5/10
7/10
$$PlaybookPhuket
Thailand
90 Mbps
4/10
7.5/10
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Best Cities in Southeast Asia for Digital Nomads list ranked?
Cities in this list are ranked using verified data from Numbeo (cost of living), Speedtest Global Index (internet speeds), Numbeo Crime Index (safety), and nomad community density signals. Each city's position reflects its overall score on the specific criteria most relevant to this list — not a generic "best city" ranking.
How do I get more detail on a specific city?
Click any city card to open its full guide — you'll find monthly cost breakdowns, coworking space picks, neighborhood overviews, visa requirements, and an AI chat to answer follow-up questions. Each guide is updated quarterly.
Can I compare cities from this list side by side?
Yes — use the City Comparison tool at settlednomad.com/tools to compare up to 4 cities across 20+ metrics including rent, coworking costs, internet speed, safety score, and nomad score. Useful for narrowing a shortlist.
How often is this city list updated?
City data is refreshed quarterly from primary sources. Visa availability is updated within 30 days of official government announcements. If a city's position seems off or data looks stale, email hello@actyra.com and we'll prioritize a refresh.