Colombo vs Yogyakarta: cost of living for digital nomads
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 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
- Yogyakarta is about 12% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($920 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $350 in Yogyakarta against $450 in Colombo.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Yogyakarta: 120 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Colombo wins 0 of the measured lines; Yogyakarta wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Colombo or Yogyakarta?
Yogyakarta is cheaper: about $920/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 12% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Colombo or Yogyakarta?
Colombo and Yogyakarta score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Colombo or Yogyakarta?
Yogyakarta has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Colombo | Yogyakarta |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $920 |
| Rent | $450 | $350 |
| Food | $300 | $250 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 40 | 120 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| 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, Yogyakarta September 10, 2026.