Colombo vs Dahab: cost of living for digital nomads
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Dahab, Egypt, 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
- Dahab is about 24% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($795 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $300 in Dahab against $450 in Colombo.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Dahab: 60 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Colombo is tropical; Dahab is arid.
Colombo wins 0 of the measured lines; Dahab wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Colombo or Dahab?
Dahab is cheaper: about $795/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 24% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Colombo or Dahab?
Colombo and Dahab score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Colombo or Dahab?
Dahab has faster typical internet: 60 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Colombo | Dahab |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $795 |
| Rent | $450 | $300 |
| Food | $300 | $230 |
| Transport | $40 | $25 |
| Coworking | $90 | $60 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 40 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | arid |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | 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): Colombo November 6, 2026, Dahab September 11, 2026.