Colombo vs Koh Phangan: cost of living for digital nomads

Colombo, Sri Lanka 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

  • Colombo is about 16% cheaper than Koh Phangan for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,250).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Colombo against $500 in Koh Phangan.
  • Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Koh Phangan: 60 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
  • Both have a tropical climate.

Colombo wins 5 of the measured lines; Koh Phangan wins 3.

LineColomboKoh Phangan
Monthly total (USD)$1,050$1,250
Rent$450$500
Food$300$350
Transport$40$60
Coworking$90$100
Safety (out of 10)7/108/10
Internet (Mbps)4060
Climatetropicaltropical
City sizemetrosmall
Settingcoastisland
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.