Colombo vs Santa Ana: cost of living for digital nomads
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Santa Ana, 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
- Santa Ana is about 2% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($1,025 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $380 in Santa Ana against $450 in Colombo.
- Colombo scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Santa Ana: 70 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Colombo wins 2 of the measured lines; Santa Ana wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Colombo or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana is cheaper: about $1,025/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Colombo or Santa Ana?
Colombo scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Santa Ana.
Which has faster internet, Colombo or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has faster typical internet: 70 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Colombo | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $1,025 |
| Rent | $450 | $380 |
| Food | $300 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $90 | $75 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 40 | 70 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 5/10 |
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, Santa Ana September 11, 2026.