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Digital nomads often choose to seek out destinations with an affordable cost of living. This helps offset the cost of travel, lets you live better as your money goes further, and can help you save as you start on your digital nomad journey.
But finding budget-friendly cities that also have all the facilities that digital nomads need is not always easy. More affordable reasons of the world often lack decent connectivity, inviting coworking spaces, and accommodation for foreigners that is safe and comfortable.
But if that is what you are looking for, don’t worry, we have you covered with our list of the ten best affordable cities for digital nomads. We have chosen examples from around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. You won’t see any options in Oceania since they tend to be hard to reach, expensive, and have limited visa options.
The criteria we have used to put together this list include:
- An affordable cost of living, including both daily expenses and short- to medium-term accommodation options for digital nomads.
- A strong or growing digital nomad community and facilities that support that community including connectivity and coworking spaces.
- A viable visa option to stay in the country and work remotely for at least 90 days.
- Livable cities with interesting things to do on your doorstep during “downtime”.
- Close to accessible nature, whether that be beaches, mountains, or jungles.
- Things to do in the vicinity as you explore the region.
With all that in mind, here is our list of the 10 best affordable cities for digital nomads in 2024.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in South America. It feels like a big European city and is one of the places where you can buy anything. Second-hand markets are particularly rich. There is a strong coffee culture, though even more popular is sipping mate all day on the streets. Between working you can visit world-class museums, take a tango class, and enjoy fresh barbequed meats (warning, not vegetarian friendly).
Numbeo estimates that the cost of living in Buenos Aires is less than US$500 per month for a single person excluding rent. But it is worth noting that inflation is extremely high in Argentina, more than 200%, so local price tags are always increasing. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in Argentina for between US$1,000-2,000 per month depending on size and location.
Argentina offers a digital nomad visa to nationals from 90 countries that lets you stay in the country for 180 days in the first instance and is renewable for an additional 180 days. The minimum income requirement is accessible at around US$2,700 per month.
Read more about digital nomad life on Buenos Aires.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is a well-known mecca for digital nomads. It is a highly walkable city with plenty of temples (more than 300 inside the city) and street markets to explore and is a gateway to Thailand’s northern green interior for hiking and exploring. A strong coffee culture and many coworking spaces have spring up to serve the digital nomad community.
Chiang Mai is an extremely affordable city, with Numbeo estimating that a single person needs only around US$500 per month to live comfortably excluding rent. Because the city has such a big digital nomad community, there are lots of accommodation options. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in Chiang Mai for between US$300-500 per month.
Thailand does offer a digital nomad visa, but it has a very high threshold for entry. The minimum income for most professions is at least US$80,000 per year for the last two years. You must also work in a desirable profession, though the categories are broad. If it is granted, you can stay for up to four years and you can work in Thailand.
Reading more about living in Chiang Mai as a digital nomad.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo is set up to support digital nomads and offers access to the country’s amazing countryside. The city is characterized by colonial architecture and religious sites that reflect local Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic traditions. It is a great spot for vegetarians and Ayurveda is widely practiced. For day-to-day relaxation, Colombo has several fine beaches, while you spend weekends exploring the green interior.
Numbeo estimates that a single person needs around US$500 per month to live comfortably in Colombo, excluding rent. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in Colombi for between US$500-1,000 per month.
Sri Lanka offers a one-year renewable digital nomad visa, with an accessible income level set at around US$2,000 per month.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has a rich if sometimes dark history and culture to discover while enjoying the modern business including excellent street food vendors, cafes, and bars. The expat and digital nomad community is growing quickly as people look beyond neighboring Thailand. It is a gateway for exploring the Mekong Deta with its traditional fishing villages and floating markets.
Ho Chi Minh City is another highly affordable destination with Numbeo estimating the cost of living for a single person at around US$500 per month excluding rent. Meanwhile, you can find long-term Airbnb rentals in the city for between US$600-800 per month.
Vietnam does not offer a digital nomad visa, but you can travel there on a tourist visa for up to 90 days. Apply online for US$25 for a single-entry visa or US$50 for a multiple-entry visa.
Read out guide to living in Ho Chi in City as a digital nomad.
Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is another city that has established itself as a hub for digital nomads. It is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its excellent whether year around. Digital nomads will find plenty of coworking spaces, shared accommodation opportunities, and a strong café culture. This is matched by a local scene that celebrates traditional Colombian food and music. You also aren’t far from the Andes mountains or Caribbean beaches for weekend adventures.
Numbeo estimates that a single person can live comfortably in Medellin for only around US$550 per month. The big digital nomad community means that there are lots of accommodation options. You can find ling-term Airbnb rentals from around US$1,000 per month.
Colombia offers an accessible digital nomad visa that is for up to two years in the first instance and has a minimum income requirement of only about US$900 per month.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia has become increasingly popular as Europeans look for destinations that are less touristy and “done”. Nestled in a deep valley, it offers gorgeous mountains to explore and a vibrant urban culture. It has a long history evident in the fabric of the city from Roman ruins to Soviet monuments. You can also expect a strong café and restaurant culture with a farm-to-table philosophy.
Sofia has an affordable cost of living by European standards, with Numbeo estimating that a single person needs a little less than US$700 per month to live comfortably. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in the city for between US$500-1,000 per month.
While Bulgaria does not offer a digital nomad visa, you can visit as a tourist for up to 90 days in any 180 days on a Schengen tourist visa, as of April 2024.
Read our full guide to Sofia for digital nomads.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn has been attracting digital talent since it made a name for itself as one of the most technologically forward cities and governments in the world. This has made it a melting pot for digital innovation. While forward-looking, Tallinn also feels historic, with most of the city center considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy snowy “Christmasy” winters and summers that are so green they must be seen to be believed.
Tallinn is one of the most expensive cities on this list but is highly affordable by European standards. Numbeo estimates that a single person needs a little under US$1,000 per month to live comfortably. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in the city for between US$600-2,000 per month.
Estonia offers a one-year digital nomad visa with a minimum income requirement of around US$4,500 per month. You must demonstrate that you have received this income for the last six months. It also offers an e-residency scheme for global citizens who want to set up a company in Europe.
Discover more about Tallinn for digital nomads.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia still feels a bit off the beaten track, but Tbilisi has the infrastructure that digital nomads need to be productive, and a growing community. Tbilisi offers many of the cultural wonders that delight visitors to major European cities, but on a smaller scale, which appeals since there are fewer tourists. From Tbilisi, you have easy access to both the mountains and the sea.
Georgia enjoys a very affordable cost of living. Numbeo estimates that a single person needs around US$650 per month to live comfortably, excluding rent. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in the city for between US$300-700 per month.
Georgia offers a one-year, renewable digital nomad visa with a minimum income requirement of US$2,000 per month. Alternatively, you cannot demonstrate US$24,000 in savings.
Read our guide to Tbilisi as the next digital nomad hub.
Tirana, Albania
Tirana is attracting visitors thanks to its European location, cultural experiences, natural beauty, and burgeoning tech scene. Expect Mediterranean vibes with a distinctly Soviet overtone. The city has a growing café culture and many new coworking spaces popping up, and s surrounded by mountains and national parks. The Adriatic sea and its stunning beaches are also only a short drive away.
Numbeo estimates that a single person can live comfortably in Tirana for less than US$700 per month. You can find short-term Airbnb rentals in the city for between US$500-1,000 per month.
Albania offers a digital nomad visa that is granted for one year in the first instance and renewable for up to five years, at which point you can apply for permanent residence. No specific minimum income requirement is listed but is estimated to be less than US$500 per month.
Zagreb, Croatia
While many are attracted to Croatia for its Mediterranean coastlines, the inland capital of Zagreb is a popular digital nomad hub. Don’t worry, it is only a short drive to the sea, or to the green mountain interior. More affordable than the coastal cities, you can still expect rich history, culture, and architecture, a spectacular culinary scene, and local wines and olive oils.
Numbeo estimates that a single person needs around US$850 per month to live comfortably before rent. You can find long-term Airbnb rentals in the city starting from around US$1,000 per month.
Croatia offers a one-year digital nomad visa. It is not renewable, but you can apply again if your leave the country for at least 90 days. The minimum income requirement to qualify is around US$3,200.
Read our Zagreb digital nomads guide.
What Are Your Top Recommendations?
While those are our top picks for the best affordable digital nomad hotspots in 2024, we are always keen to discover new places to explore. Share your recommendations for the best affordable destinations for digital nomads.
