Boquete vs Jeju: cost of living for digital nomads
Boquete, Panama and Jeju, South Korea, 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
- Boquete is about 2% cheaper than Jeju for a month of nomad living ($1,550 vs $1,575).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Jeju against $700 in Boquete.
- Jeju scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Jeju: 250 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Boquete wins 3 of the measured lines; Jeju wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Boquete or Jeju?
Boquete is cheaper: about $1,550/month against $1,575/month in Jeju, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Boquete or Jeju?
Jeju scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Boquete.
Which has faster internet, Boquete or Jeju?
Jeju has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Boquete.
| Line | Boquete | Jeju |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,550 | $1,575 |
| Rent | $700 | $650 |
| Food | $400 | $410 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Coworking | $100 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 250 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | mountain | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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): Boquete September 10, 2026, Jeju September 11, 2026.