10 best cities for digital nomads
Digital nomads have to consider issues like cost of living and internet access to sustain a nomadic lifestyle.
With the rise of remote working, people can now choose to work from home or from anywhere, literally. While it seems enviable to not be tied down to an office, digital nomads often have other issues like cost of living and internet access to consider when it comes to sustaining such a nomadic lifestyle.
Some digital nomads may be constantly on the move from city to city, while others may stay in a city for a few months. But which are the best cities for digital nomads?
A study by CommercialSearch compared and ranked all cities worldwide with more than 400,000 residents based on their affordability, internet speed, co-working availability, entertainment and safety. Only the best-scoring city from each country was included in the final list.
Looking at the individual metrics, the most affordable digital nomad cities are mainly in Southeast Asia: Hanoi, Vietnam; Jakarta, Indonesia; Manila, Philippines; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Chennai, India.
On the other hand, the digital nomad cities with the fastest internet are more varied: Calgary, Canada; San Antonio, United States; Singapore; Shanghai, China; and Madrid, Spain.
The same is true for digital nomad cities with the most things to do: Tokyo, Japan; Istanbul, Turkey; Prague, Czech Republic; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Bangkok, Thailand.
If you’re thinking of working while travelling, here are the top 10 digital nomad-friendly cities based on all five metrics and some activities you can do there while remote working.
10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Score: 58.5
Kuala Lumpur has the lowest co-working cost (US$113) and relatively low hotel cost (US$48) and meal cost (US$3).
Aquaria KLCC Ticket in Kuala Lumpur
Zoo Negara Ticket in Malaysia
9. Budapest, Hungary
Score: 59.5
Budapest is generally a safe city (65.2) with good internet speed (173 MB/s) and relatively more attractions and activities (2,498).
Széchenyi Spa Fast Track Ticket
Dinner and Cruise with Live Music on Danube River in Budapest
8. Chennai, India
Score: 60.4
Chennai has the lowest meal cost (US$2) and relatively cheap public transportation (US$0.37) and co-working cost (US$186).
7. Calgary, Canada
Score: 60.9
Calgary has the fastest internet speed (322 MB/s) not just among the top 10, but also in the list of 57 cities.
Lake Louise, Banff & Yoho National Park Day Tour from Calgary
Columbia Icefield Day Tour From Calgary | Jasper National Park and Ice Explorer
6. Krakow, Poland
Score: 61.3
Krakow is one of the safest cities (74.2) with a relatively low co-working cost (US$207).
Grand city tour through Krakow with Old Town and Jewish quarter
Krakow city tour by electric car and optional Schindler's Factory
5. Tokyo, Japan
Score: 62.2
Tokyo stands out as the only city not just among the top 10, but also in the list of 57 cities with its attractions and activities hitting five digits (12,943). Within the top 10, it is also the safest city (75.4).
Tokyo Disney Resort Park Ticket
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter Ticket
Read our guide to find out what other things you can do in Tokyo.
4. Hanoi, Vietnam
Score: 64.2
Hanoi has the cheapest hotel cost (US$41), meal cost (US$2), and public transportation (US$0.30).
[Route 1] Small Group Halong Bay Day Tour by Dragonfly Cruise
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Day Trip
Read our guide to find out what other things you can do in Hanoi.
3. Bucharest, Romania
Score: 65.3
Bucharest is generally a safe city (71.8) with relatively fast internet speed (216 MB/s) and cheap hotel cost (US$81) and public transportation (US$0.67).
Dracula's Castle, Brasov, and Peles Castle Day Tour from Bucharest
Bulgaria Day Tour from Bucharest
2. Shanghai, China
Score: 65.7
Shanghai has a relatively fast internet speed (234 MB/s) and cheap hotel cost (US$89), meal cost (US$6) and public transportation (US$0.42).
[Summer Splash] Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
Huangpu River Cruise (Qingjiang Line)
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Score: 72.4
Bangkok has a relatively fast internet speed (225 MB/s) and cheap hotel cost (US$51) and meal cost (US$3). It also has relatively more attractions and activities (3,783).
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World Ticket
Safari World Bangkok Ticket
Check airfare here: Skyscanner | Trip.com | Expedia
Book accommodations and activities here: Agoda | Booking.com | Klook | KKday | HotelsCombined | LuxuryEscapes
Save big, get the all-inclusive pass & explore your destination in-depth: GoCity
General info here: Tripadvisor
Affordable data plans here
And while you are at it, get your travel insurance with Alliance Assistance | Income | Prudential!
