Digital nomad tools

Model your cost of living before you relocate.

City cost-of-living comparison, visa expense estimator, and remote income sufficiency checker.

Compare cities Check income sufficiency

Sample output

Chiang Mai (Mid-range) $900/mo

Lisbon (Mid-range) $2,100/mo

Income needed (20% savings) $1,984/mo

Estimates based on mid-2025 published cost-of-living surveys. Adjust for your lifestyle tier.

Tool 1

City Cost of Living Estimator

Select a destination city and lifestyle tier to estimate your monthly expenses before committing to a move.

Estimated monthly cost —

Total for period —

Accommodation estimate —

vs. Western European average —

How it works

Three steps to your estimate

Select destination city and lifestyle level.

Choose from 10 cities across Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caucasus.

Review monthly cost estimate against comparable benchmarks.

Results include accommodation, food, transport, and miscellaneous — compared to the Western European average.

Check whether your remote income is sufficient, including savings targets.

Use the Income Sufficiency Calculator to model your surplus, savings rate, and financial runway.

From the blog

Research and analysis

Cost of Living

True Cost of Living in Southeast Asia: What Most Blog Posts Misrepresent

The $500/month figure comes from 2018 and applies to budget backpackers — not professional remote workers.

Read →

Research Method

How to Verify Cost of Living Data Before You Relocate

Published indexes have systematic biases that mislead remote workers planning international moves.

Read →

Digital Nomad Visas

Visa Options for Remote Workers in 2026: 14 Countries Compared

Income thresholds, processing timelines, and tax implications for each major nomad visa program.

Read →

User feedback

What remote workers say

"Confirmed my budget for Chiang Mai before I handed in notice — matched my actual spend within $80."

Tom L.

Freelance Developer

"The sufficiency calculator stopped me from relocating to Lisbon on an income that would not cover comfortable living."

Rachel P.

UX Designer

"Factual, fast, no fluff."

Viktor H.

Remote Consultant

⭐ 4.7/5 from 312 users · 4,217 calculations run this month

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How accurate are the city cost estimates?

They represent typical mid-2025 figures from published cost-of-living surveys. Costs vary by neighbourhood, negotiation, and lifestyle.

Are accommodation costs included in the monthly figure?

Yes — approximately 40–50% of the monthly estimate reflects typical rental costs.

Does the tool include health insurance?

No. Budget separately for international health insurance — typically $100–$300/month depending on coverage and age.

What counts as the "Budget" tier?

Shared accommodation or guesthouses, local markets and street food, minimal entertainment spend. Not suitable for most professional remote workers.

Can the tool compare two cities simultaneously?

No — run it once for each destination, then compare the outputs manually.