You may be ready to travel the world and work while you do it, but you still have one pesky little issue to consider: bills. Daily costs like food and rent don’t magically vanish just because you’ve found a way to combine working and traveling.
That’s where the cheapest places for digital nomads come in. Still, setting your sights on a destination for cheap eats, inexpensive accommodations, and reliable Wi-Fi can be problematic. Digital nomads are often criticized for eschewing meaningful travel for Instagrammable comforts, forcing destinations they favor to move away from authentic dishes, customs, and traditions to cater to visiting nomads—even as locals get priced out of their own communities.
Another criticism of the digital nomad movement? This way of life isn’t truly open to everyone. Not everyone can quit their day job and jump into a life of working from the road. You need a cushion of money to get started, especially if you won’t always know exactly when that next paycheck is coming.
But if the digital nomad life sounds appealing, it’s hard to argue against finding a way to make one of the best ways to work abroad work for you. So, how can you choose a place as your base that lets you respectfully immerse yourself in the local culture?
15 cheapest places for digital nomads
The cheapest places for digital nomads offer an opportunity to travel on a budget while being mindful of your impact on the places you go. That means supporting local businesses and cultural practices, making an effort to learn the local language, and consciously decolonizing your experience abroad. Above all, it means staying curious…which is undoubtedly easier to do when you’re not constantly stressed about making rent.
If you’re busy running numbers just to see if you can afford life as a digital nomad and scouring the globe for the cheapest remote places to live, we’ve got you covered with budget-friendly places in every hemisphere:
1. Medellín, Colombia
Colombia is a quickly growing destination for expats.
- Why? The City of Eternal Spring tops adventurous travelers’ wish lists thanks to the welcoming culture, delicious food, and yeah, endless great weather. The South American city in the Andes mountains boasts a thriving digital nomad community, so it’s easy to track down coworking spaces and reliable Wi-Fi to work on your assignments when you’re not out exploring. The affordable cost of living completes the picture of this digital nomad hotspot.
- See jobs abroad in Colombia
2. Sofia, Bulgaria
- Why? When it comes to the best cheap cities (and countries) for a digital nomad looking to live in Europe, the capital of Bulgaria checks all the boxes. Sofia boasts thousands of years of history but still delivers the modern infrastructure, including easy-to-find high-speed internet, essential for popular digital nomad jobs. Whether you’re here for the nightlife or nature, affordable accommodations or startup-friendly atmosphere, the high quality of life and low cost of living in Sofia will have you eager to make the city your home base.
- See jobs abroad in Bulgaria
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Why? Thailand consistently ranks as one of the best countries for digital nomads, and Chiang Mai is a darling of the remote worker community. You’ll find all the trappings of the digital nomad dream (think: affordable accommodations, delicious street food, friendly locals, and plenty of expats) in northern Thailand’s largest city. Whether you fell for Thailand while studying abroad or you’re lured by the mountain landscapes and Buddhist temples Chiang Mai promises as a backdrop to your “office” setup, you’ll quickly feel at home in this inexpensive destination.
- See jobs abroad in Thailand
4. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon makes Europe feel livable for even the most budget-conscious.
- Why? If you’re searching for cheap places to work remotely in Europe, you’ll want to check out Lisbon. Portugal’s status as one of the cheapest places for digital nomads in Western Europe isn’t its only perk—the country also offers freelance visas so you can work while experiencing European life on a budget. A steady diet of seafood, port wine, and beach days makes settling into the digital nomad lifestyle in Lisbon all the more appealing.
- See jobs abroad in Portugal
5. Ubud, Indonesia
- Why? You can’t go wrong with Bali if nature feeds your creativity, so set your sights on Ubud once you’ve accepted a remote job and decided to embrace life as a digital nomad. Ubud is located closer to the island’s center, offering a quieter (and less expensive) place to set up shop than some coastal places where Bali’s reputation as a digital nomad oasis has driven up the cost of living. You can still look forward to a great vegetarian scene and vibrant digital nomad community.
- See jobs abroad in Indonesia
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Why? Buenos Aires may be a bit pricier than other Latin American destinations, but it’s still a must-visit spot on any remote work bucket list. The city is far more affordable than comparable places in North America and Europe. Top-notch food, wine, and nightlife, plus its perfect position as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the continent (Patagonia, anyone?), makes Buenos Aires a prime place to work remotely.
- See jobs abroad in Argentina
7. Tbilisi, Georgia
You’ll be shocked that you’ve never heard of Tbilisi before!
- Why? It’s hard to find a downside to living in Tbilisi. Yes, it’s one of the cheapest places for digital nomads in Europe, with affordable food and rent making budgeting a breeze. It’s also a hidden gem for wine culture, the perfect base for mountain hikes in the Caucasus Mountains and beachside retreats at the Black Sea, and a place where Europe meets Asia both in terms of geographical location and a unique fusion of traditions and cultures.
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8. Da Lat, Vietnam
- Why? For a lower cost of living compared to other cities in Vietnam—not to mention an ideal spot for a nature-based reset away from bustling city centers—you’ll want to check out Da Lat. Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries to live and work in overall, and Da Lat is even more affordable than hotspots like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Lat also offers a temperate climate, so make time for mountain hikes and walks in the woods in another digital-nomad-friendly city that’s earned a nickname as a City of Eternal Spring.
- See jobs abroad in Vietnam
9. Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
- Why? Also known as Oaxaca City or simply Oaxaca, the capital and largest city of the eponymous Mexican state offers a less-expensive alternative to popular digital nomad destinations like Playa del Carmen and Mexico City. A colorful downtown area and gorgeous nature are just the start. Set up in a café with free Wi-Fi when you’re on the clock, then make time to sample the tasty (and super affordable) cuisine.
- See jobs abroad in Mexico
10. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap has both quiet and energetic vibes for every kind of digital nomad.
- Why? The gateway to Angkor Wat is quickly becoming a hotspot for remote workers. It’s easy to get a visa for one of the best countries to work in the world, and you can’t miss by settling in a cultural hub that features museums, Apsara dance performances, and more along with a mix of coworking spaces and cafés with Wi-Fi. With low prices compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, Siem Reap is a budget-conscious digital nomad’s dream.
- See jobs abroad in Cambodia
11. Cape Town, South Africa
- Why? Although you’ll pay more in Cape Town than other places in Africa, you'll still get great value for your money here. It’s an especially great place to land if you’re working in technology, media, or advertising. Cape Town also serves as the perfect base for day or weekend trips to wine estates, hiking sites, and ocean activities, so you’ll find plenty of interesting places to cover if you’re angling for writing jobs abroad—or just looking to recharge beyond the city on your days off.
- See jobs abroad in South Africa
12. Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Why? Sri Lanka may feel like one of the more adventurous destinations a digital nomad could land, but there’s good reason the remote worker community holds Colombo in high regard: It’s also one of the more affordable places out there. Lots of digital nomads flock to the multicultural city for the relaxed pace of daily life and easy access to beaches and other gorgeous landscapes. Relaxation on a budget? Count on Colombo.
13. Málaga, Spain
Life on the coast just hits different.
- Why? Maybe you don’t expect to find yourself living in a European city close to the beach after combing the globe for cheap places to work remotely. Enter: Málaga, ready to challenge those assumptions. The sunny port city will lure you in with its low cost of living compared to other European cities, then have you calling it your home away from home thanks to striking historical sites like the Alcazaba and the friends you make in the thriving international community.
- See jobs abroad in Spain
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Why? You likely already have Rio de Janeiro on your radar if you’re considering moving to Brazil to work abroad. Brazil’s digital nomad hotbed lets you enjoy bustling city life one day and beautiful beaches the next. Maybe Rio isn’t as affordable as other options in South America, but if you’re keen on picking up some Portuguese in a city pulsing with art, music, and startups, it’s certainly hard to beat.
- See jobs abroad in Brazil
15. Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Why? Bolivia has a reputation as the least expensive country in South America, so while Cochabamba might not offer all the amenities of more established digital nomad hubs, it warrants a look from anyone seeking out the cheapest remote places to live. Located near the center of landlocked Bolivia, Cochabamba features a mix of Indigenous and Spanish culture. And as yet another budget-friendly destination with the City of Eternal Spring moniker, Cochabamba promises a temperate climate ideal for working and exploring.
- See jobs abroad in Bolivia
READ NEXT: How to Live and Work as a Digital Nomad
Cheap places to work remotely will keep your savings full!
All you need to start a new life these days is a passport and a laptop.
It’s time to take your digital nomad daydreams and make them your day-to-day reality. Whether these inexpensive places serve as a short stop on your itinerary while you handle an assignment or a longer-term home base for remote work, you can count on the best cheap cities and countries for the digital nomad life to help you save money while traveling abroad. Go ahead, dive into life as a digital nomad, all while sticking to your budget.