Gaborone vs Koh Phangan: cost of living for digital nomads
Gaborone, Botswana 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
- Gaborone is about 1% cheaper than Koh Phangan for a month of nomad living ($1,235 vs $1,250).
- Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Gaborone: 90 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Gaborone is arid; Koh Phangan is tropical.
Gaborone wins 5 of the measured lines; Koh Phangan wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Gaborone or Koh Phangan?
Gaborone is cheaper: about $1,235/month against $1,250/month in Koh Phangan, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Gaborone or Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Gaborone.
Which has faster internet, Gaborone or Koh Phangan?
Gaborone has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Koh Phangan.
| Line | Gaborone | Koh Phangan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,235 | $1,250 |
| Rent | $500 | $500 |
| Food | $340 | $350 |
| Transport | $40 | $60 |
| Coworking | $85 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 60 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 5/10 | 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): Gaborone September 11, 2026, Koh Phangan August 30, 2026.