Austin vs Koh Phangan: cost of living for digital nomads

Austin, United States and Koh Phangan, Thailand, 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

  • Koh Phangan is about 58% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,250 vs $2,950).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Koh Phangan against $1,500 in Austin.
  • Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
  • Austin is temperate; Koh Phangan is tropical.

Austin wins 1 of the measured lines; Koh Phangan wins 7.

LineAustinKoh Phangan
Monthly total (USD)$2,950$1,250
Rent$1,500$500
Food$620$350
Transport$90$60
Coworking$200$100
Safety (out of 10)7/108/10
Internet (Mbps)25060
Climatetemperatetropical
City sizemetrosmall
Settinginlandisland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/108/10

Koh Phangan

Thai island with a fast-growing nomad scene around Sri Thanu — beaches, wellness, low cost.

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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.