Koh Phangan vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads
Koh Phangan, Thailand and Playa del Carmen, 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
- Koh Phangan is about 25% cheaper than Playa del Carmen for a month of nomad living ($1,250 vs $1,670).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Koh Phangan against $820 in Playa del Carmen.
- Koh Phangan scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Playa del Carmen: 80 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Koh Phangan wins 5 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 3.
| Line | Koh Phangan | Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,250 | $1,670 |
| Rent | $500 | $820 |
| Food | $350 | $430 |
| Transport | $60 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Koh Phangan
Thai island with a fast-growing nomad scene around Sri Thanu — beaches, wellness, low cost.
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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.