Koh Phangan vs Seoul: cost of living for digital nomads
Koh Phangan, Thailand 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
- Koh Phangan is about 43% cheaper than Seoul for a month of nomad living ($1,250 vs $2,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Koh Phangan against $1,000 in Seoul.
- Seoul scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Seoul: 250 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Koh Phangan is tropical; Seoul is continental.
Koh Phangan wins 6 of the measured lines; Seoul wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Koh Phangan or Seoul?
Koh Phangan is cheaper: about $1,250/month against $2,200/month in Seoul, roughly 43% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Koh Phangan or Seoul?
Seoul scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Koh Phangan.
Which has faster internet, Koh Phangan or Seoul?
Seoul has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Koh Phangan.
| Line | Koh Phangan | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,250 | $2,200 |
| Rent | $500 | $1,000 |
| Food | $350 | $550 |
| Transport | $60 | $80 |
| Coworking | $100 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 250 |
| Climate | tropical | continental |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
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): Koh Phangan August 30, 2026, Seoul November 10, 2026.