Jan Thiel vs Seoul: cost of living for digital nomads
Jan Thiel, Curacao and Seoul, South Korea, 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
- Jan Thiel is about 8% cheaper than Seoul for a month of nomad living ($2,020 vs $2,200).
- Seoul scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Seoul: 250 Mbps typical against 130 Mbps.
- Jan Thiel is arid; Seoul is continental.
Jan Thiel wins 4 of the measured lines; Seoul wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Jan Thiel or Seoul?
Jan Thiel is cheaper: about $2,020/month against $2,200/month in Seoul, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Jan Thiel or Seoul?
Seoul scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Jan Thiel.
Which has faster internet, Jan Thiel or Seoul?
Seoul has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 130 Mbps in Jan Thiel.
| Line | Jan Thiel | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,020 | $2,200 |
| Rent | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Food | $490 | $550 |
| Transport | $50 | $80 |
| Coworking | $110 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 130 | 250 |
| Climate | arid | continental |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | island | 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): Jan Thiel September 11, 2026, Seoul November 10, 2026.