Colombo vs Da Lat: cost of living for digital nomads
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Da Lat, Vietnam, 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
- Da Lat is about 8% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($970 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Da Lat against $450 in Colombo.
- Da Lat scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Da Lat: 80 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Colombo is tropical; Da Lat is temperate.
Colombo wins 0 of the measured lines; Da Lat wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Colombo or Da Lat?
Da Lat is cheaper: about $970/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Colombo or Da Lat?
Da Lat scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Colombo.
Which has faster internet, Colombo or Da Lat?
Da Lat has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Colombo | Da Lat |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $970 |
| Rent | $450 | $400 |
| Food | $300 | $280 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 40 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Da Lat
Cool-climate Vietnamese highland town — pine forests, cafes, very low cost.
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): Colombo November 6, 2026, Da Lat August 30, 2026.