Busan vs Montevideo: cost of living for digital nomads
Busan, South Korea and Montevideo, Uruguay, 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
- Busan is about 2% cheaper than Montevideo for a month of nomad living ($1,665 vs $1,700).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $700 in Busan against $780 in Montevideo.
- Busan scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Busan: 280 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Busan wins 5 of the measured lines; Montevideo wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Busan or Montevideo?
Busan is cheaper: about $1,665/month against $1,700/month in Montevideo, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Busan or Montevideo?
Busan scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Montevideo.
Which has faster internet, Busan or Montevideo?
Busan has faster typical internet: 280 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Montevideo.
| Line | Busan | Montevideo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,665 | $1,700 |
| Rent | $700 | $780 |
| Food | $420 | $450 |
| Transport | $45 | $45 |
| Coworking | $140 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 280 | 100 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
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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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Busan September 11, 2026, Montevideo October 31, 2026.