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.

LineEl TuncoKoh Phangan
Monthly total (USD)$1,245$1,250
Rent$500$500
Food$350$350
Transport$40$60
Coworking$85$100
Safety (out of 10)6/108/10
Internet (Mbps)6060
Climatetropicaltropical
City sizesmallsmall
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.

Compare El Tunco with

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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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): El Tunco September 11, 2026, Koh Phangan August 30, 2026.