El Tunco vs Koh Phangan: cost of living for digital nomads
El Tunco, El Salvador 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
- El Tunco is about 0% cheaper than Koh Phangan for a month of nomad living ($1,245 vs $1,250).
- Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Both have a tropical climate.
El Tunco wins 3 of the measured lines; Koh Phangan wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, El Tunco or Koh Phangan?
El Tunco is cheaper: about $1,245/month against $1,250/month in Koh Phangan, roughly 0% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, El Tunco or Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for El Tunco.
Which has faster internet, El Tunco or Koh Phangan?
El Tunco and Koh Phangan have about the same typical internet speed, 60 Mbps.
| Line | El Tunco | Koh Phangan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,245 | $1,250 |
| Rent | $500 | $500 |
| Food | $350 | $350 |
| Transport | $40 | $60 |
| Coworking | $85 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Koh Phangan
Thai island with a fast-growing nomad scene around Sri Thanu — beaches, wellness, low cost.
Compare Koh Phangan with
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): El Tunco September 11, 2026, Koh Phangan August 30, 2026.