Koh Phangan vs Ubud: cost of living for digital nomads
Koh Phangan, Thailand and Ubud, Indonesia, 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 11% cheaper than Ubud for a month of nomad living ($1,250 vs $1,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Koh Phangan against $550 in Ubud.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Koh Phangan: 60 Mbps typical against 30 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Koh Phangan wins 5 of the measured lines; Ubud wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Koh Phangan or Ubud?
Koh Phangan is cheaper: about $1,250/month against $1,400/month in Ubud, roughly 11% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Koh Phangan or Ubud?
Koh Phangan and Ubud score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Koh Phangan or Ubud?
Koh Phangan has faster typical internet: 60 Mbps against 30 Mbps in Ubud.
| Line | Koh Phangan | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,250 | $1,400 |
| Rent | $500 | $550 |
| Food | $350 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $60 |
| Coworking | $100 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 30 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | island | inland |
| 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.
Ubud
Bali's wellness-and-yoga nomad hub inland from Canggu — jungle, cafes, strong community.
Compare Koh Phangan with
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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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Koh Phangan August 30, 2026, Ubud August 30, 2026.