Cebu vs Koh Phangan: cost of living for digital nomads

Cebu, Philippines 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

  • Cebu is about 12% cheaper than Koh Phangan for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,250).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Cebu against $500 in Koh Phangan.
  • Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Cebu: 80 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
  • Both have a tropical climate.

Cebu wins 5 of the measured lines; Koh Phangan wins 2.

LineCebuKoh Phangan
Monthly total (USD)$1,100$1,250
Rent$450$500
Food$300$350
Transport$50$60
Coworking$100$100
Safety (out of 10)6/108/10
Internet (Mbps)8060
Climatetropicaltropical
City sizemetrosmall
Settingislandisland
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.