Athens vs Colombo: cost of living for digital nomads

Athens, Greece 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

  • Colombo is about 38% cheaper than Athens for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,700).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Colombo against $800 in Athens.
  • Athens scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Athens: 100 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
  • Athens is mediterranean; Colombo is tropical.

Athens wins 3 of the measured lines; Colombo wins 4.

LineAthensColombo
Monthly total (USD)$1,700$1,050
Rent$800$450
Food$440$300
Transport$40$40
Coworking$120$90
Safety (out of 10)8/107/10
Internet (Mbps)10040
Climatemediterraneantropical
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)8/107/10

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.