~$1,120
Major digital-nomad hub, warm year-round, large expat community. 5–35% progressive (remitted foreign income taxed since 2024) · Tropical hot · nomad visa
City finder
Best cities for digital nomads
Cities in our dataset that run a remote-work or digital-nomad visa, ranked from the lowest cost of living. Each pairs a formal visa route with a cost base below most Western capitals.
Take the 2-minute quiz →2🇹🇭Chiang MaiThailand
~$1,120
5–35% progressive (remitted foreign income taxed since 2024) · Tropical mild · nomad visa
3🇹🇭PhuketThailand
~$1,120
Tropical island in southern Thailand, warm year-round, five-year DTV remote-work visa. 5–35% progressive (remitted foreign income taxed since 2024) · Tropical · nomad visa
4🇲🇾Kuala LumpurMalaysia
~$1,160
0% tax on foreign income, Muslim-friendly hub, DE Rantau nomad visa, accredited private hospitals at low cost. 0% on unremitted foreign income; DE Rantau nomad visa · Tropical · nomad visa
5🇮🇩JakartaIndonesia
~$1,200
Capital and economic centre of Indonesia, tropical climate, E33G remote-worker visa for the foreign-employed. Progressive 5–35% · Tropical · nomad visa
6🇲🇾PenangMalaysia
~$1,200
UNESCO heritage city, affordable (~30% of the NYC cost index), English-speaking, well-known street food, established expat retirement community. 0% on unremitted foreign income; MM2H long-stay visa · Tropical island · nomad visa
7🇦🇷Buenos AiresArgentina
~$1,200
Digital nomad visa for remote workers; non-residents taxed only on Argentine-source income.. Progressive 5–35% · Humid subtropical · nomad visa
~$1,280
5-year digital nomad visa, 0% on foreign income · Tropical · nomad visa
9🇨🇴MedellínColombia
~$1,280
Spring-like climate year round, established remote-work community, low cost of living. Progressive 0–39%; national rate · Spring-like · nomad visa
10🇵🇭ManilaPhilippines
~$1,360
English is an official language and the personal income tax is graduated to 35%.. Progressive 0-35% · Tropical · nomad visa
11🇰🇪NairobiKenya
~$1,400
English-speaking East African capital with a technology sector and a two-year remote-work permit.. Progressive tax up to 35% · Temperate highland · nomad visa
12🇬🇪TbilisiGeorgia
~$1,440
1% small-business regime for IT freelancers, very low cost, visa-free for most. 20% flat (1% small-business regime for some) · Continental mild · nomad visa
This list includes only cities in our dataset with a dedicated remote-work or digital-nomad visa, sorted by cost-of-living index (New York = 100). Budgets are indicative monthly estimates for one person.
Not sure which of these fits you?
Answer 6 questions and get your own top 3 ranked by budget, tax, climate and lifestyle.
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Which countries offer a digital nomad visa?
In our dataset, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali), Georgia, Panama, Mauritius and several EU states run remote-work or digital-nomad visa schemes. The ranked list above sorts the cities by cost of living.
What is the cheapest digital nomad city?
Among the cities above, the ones at the top of the list have the lowest cost-of-living index. Use the quiz or the budget calculator to check the numbers against your own situation.
Other shortlists
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not tax advice. Consult a licensed tax advisor or financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.