Chiang Mai vs Porto: cost of living for digital nomads
Chiang Mai, Thailand and Porto, Portugal, 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
- Chiang Mai is about 42% cheaper than Porto for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $950 in Porto.
- Porto scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Chiang Mai is tropical; Porto is mediterranean.
Chiang Mai wins 6 of the measured lines; Porto wins 1.
| Line | Chiang Mai | Porto |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $400 | $950 |
| Food | $320 | $450 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 210 | 120 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.