Financial Reality Check
See exactly what your money buys in each city.
Who is traveling?
Costs adjust automatically — couples share rent, families need bigger apartments.
Monthly Budget (USD)
Drag the slider to set your monthly budget for solo. We will show you which cities fit.
Within Budget (78)
Philippines
Vietnam
Albania
Georgia
Vietnam
Cambodia
Bulgaria
Georgia
Argentina
Argentina
Morocco
Peru
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
Malaysia
Serbia
Vietnam
Ecuador
Mexico
India
Romania
Thailand
Philippines
Rwanda
Morocco
Taiwan
Kenya
Serbia
Turkey
India
Ecuador
Indonesia
Bulgaria
Turkey
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Indonesia
Thailand
Romania
Colombia
Armenia
Colombia
Poland
Thailand
Thailand
Malaysia
Montenegro
Lithuania
South Africa
Greece
Peru
Poland
Mexico
Hungary
Colombia
Croatia
Greece
Estonia
Taiwan
Mexico
Czech Republic
Brazil
South Korea
Portugal
Uruguay
South Korea
Spain
Spain
Portugal
Panama
Portugal
Brazil
Costa Rica
Croatia
Japan
Cyprus
Japan
Portugal
Over Budget (14)
Italy
Austria
Uruguay
Barbados
Germany
Spain
Mexico
Japan
France
Puerto Rico
Netherlands
Singapore
United Arab Emirates
Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live as a digital nomad?
Most digital nomads spend $1,500–$3,500/month all-in, depending on destination. Southeast Asia (Chiang Mai, Bali, Medellín) runs $1,200–$2,000/month. Southern Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona) ranges from $2,000–$3,500/month. North America and Northern Europe typically cost $3,500–$6,000+/month. The biggest variables are rent and coworking membership.
What is the biggest expense for digital nomads?
Accommodation is almost always the largest expense, typically 40–55% of total monthly spend. In budget destinations, you can rent a furnished private apartment for $400–$700/month. In pricier cities, rent alone can exceed $1,500–$2,000/month. After rent, food and transport are the next largest categories.
Is it cheaper to live abroad than at home?
For most people, yes — significantly so. Nomads from the US, UK, Australia, and Northern Europe typically find their cost of living drops 30–60% by moving to Southeast Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe. Even Mediterranean Europe (Portugal, Greece, Croatia) is often cheaper than major English-speaking cities. The savings can be reinvested or used to extend travel.
How much should I budget for coworking as a digital nomad?
Coworking memberships typically cost $100–$300/month for a dedicated desk or hot desk in most nomad hubs. In Southeast Asia, expect $80–$150/month. In Lisbon or Medellín, $150–$250/month. In Barcelona, Berlin, or major Western European cities, $250–$400/month. Many nomads also work from cafés for free, especially in cities with strong café-work culture.
What costs do digital nomads forget to budget for?
The most commonly underestimated costs are: travel insurance ($50–$150/month), flights between destinations ($200–$800 per move), visa fees ($0–$300 depending on country), phone/eSIM data ($10–$50/month), and one-time gear costs (backpack, tech). Also budget for slower months when you are settling in — onboarding to a new city can cost 20–30% more in the first month.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the cost-of-living data in the budget planner?
Data is sourced from Numbeo, Expatistan, and nomad community surveys and refreshed quarterly. The figures represent median costs for a single digital nomad — a furnished apartment in a mid-tier area, coworking day passes or a monthly desk, and typical food and transport spending. Actual costs vary by neighborhood and lifestyle, so treat the output as a calibrated starting point rather than a guarantee.
What costs does the nomad budget planner include?
The planner covers: furnished accommodation (per month), coworking space, groceries, eating out, local transport (metro/bus/tuk-tuk), mobile data, health insurance (SafetyWing baseline), and a miscellaneous buffer. It does not include flights, visas, or large one-time expenses like gear replacement — add those as line items in your own spreadsheet.
Which cities are included in the budget planner?
80+ cities across Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Every city with a full guide on Settled Nomad is in the planner. If a city you want isn't listed, use the City Finder tool to find the closest alternative, or email hello@actyra.com to request it.
Is the nomad budget planner free to use?
Yes — completely free with no account required. The tool runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. We earn revenue through affiliate partnerships (SafetyWing, Booking.com, Wise) shown on the site, which funds keeping every tool free permanently.