These Are the 10 Best Cities for Digital Nomads on a Budget—and the No. 1 Spot Costs Just $954 a Month to Live

By helitra·November 3, 2026·2 min read

For digital nomads, finding an affordable place to live abroad involves more than just comparing rent prices. Internet access, everyday expenses, safety, and visa requirements all matter, especially for those planning to stay for several months. A new study from Click Intelligence considered those factors and ranked the 10 best-value cities for digital nomads in 2026, with Asian destinations taking all five top spots.

Analyzing 26 cities across 15 countries, the marketing agency found that Penang, Malaysia, ranked No. 1, with estimated monthly living costs of $954 per person, including rent. Known for its street food, beaches, and historic George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang is also relatively affordable when it comes to housing, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging $441 per month. Elsewhere in the country, the capital, Kuala Lumpur, ranked third, with estimated monthly living costs of $1,234, including $651 for a one-bedroom apartment. Both cities offer access to Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass for eligible remote workers.

South Korea also had two cities in the top five, with Busan ranking second and Seoul, the country’s capital, coming in fifth. Known for its beaches, seafood markets, and busy port, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and the more affordable of the two, with estimated monthly living costs of $1,549, compared with $1,979 in Seoul. Eligible remote workers can also apply for South Korea’s Workation visa.

Japan also made the top five, with Fukuoka ranking fourth. Located on Kyushu’s northern coast, the city is known for its culinary scene, especially its tonkotsu ramen and spicy mentaiko found at open-air street food stalls. Estimated monthly living costs come to $1,403, including rent. Japan’s national homicide rate is also just 0.23 per 100,000 people, the lowest among the top five countries. Plus, the country offers a visa for eligible digital nomads.

Three European cities also made the top 10: Tartu, Estonia; Valencia, Spain; and Brno, Czechia. Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Osaka, Japan, took the remaining spots.