Arusha vs Colombo: cost of living for digital nomads
Arusha, Tanzania and Colombo, Sri Lanka, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Arusha is about 1% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($1,040 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Arusha against $450 in Colombo.
- Colombo scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Arusha: 70 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Arusha is temperate; Colombo is tropical.
Arusha wins 5 of the measured lines; Colombo wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Arusha or Colombo?
Arusha is cheaper: about $1,040/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Arusha or Colombo?
Colombo scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Arusha.
Which has faster internet, Arusha or Colombo?
Arusha has faster typical internet: 70 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Arusha | Colombo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,040 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $400 | $450 |
| Food | $300 | $300 |
| Transport | $30 | $40 |
| Coworking | $75 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 70 | 40 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Arusha September 11, 2026, Colombo November 6, 2026.