Chengdu vs El Tunco: cost of living for digital nomads
Chengdu, China and El Tunco, El Salvador, 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
- Chengdu is about 0% cheaper than El Tunco for a month of nomad living ($1,240 vs $1,245).
- Chengdu scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Chengdu: 200 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Chengdu is temperate; El Tunco is tropical.
Chengdu wins 5 of the measured lines; El Tunco wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chengdu or El Tunco?
Chengdu is cheaper: about $1,240/month against $1,245/month in El Tunco, roughly 0% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chengdu or El Tunco?
Chengdu scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for El Tunco.
Which has faster internet, Chengdu or El Tunco?
Chengdu has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 60 Mbps in El Tunco.
| Line | Chengdu | El Tunco |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,240 | $1,245 |
| Rent | $500 | $500 |
| Food | $320 | $350 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $105 | $85 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 60 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| 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): Chengdu September 11, 2026, El Tunco September 11, 2026.