Istanbul vs Puerto Escondido: cost of living for digital nomads

Istanbul, Turkey and Puerto Escondido, Mexico, 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

  • Istanbul is about 3% cheaper than Puerto Escondido for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $1,450).
  • Both score 7/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Istanbul: 60 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
  • Istanbul is mediterranean; Puerto Escondido is tropical.

Istanbul wins 3 of the measured lines; Puerto Escondido wins 0.

LineIstanbulPuerto Escondido
Monthly total (USD)$1,400$1,450
Rent$650$650
Food$380$400
Transport$45$45
Coworking$110$110
Safety (out of 10)7/107/10
Internet (Mbps)6050
Climatemediterraneantropical
City sizemetrosmall
Settingcoastcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)8/108/10

Puerto Escondido

Pacific surf town in Oaxaca — a quieter, cheaper alternative to Tulum with a strong nomad following.

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.