Koh Phangan vs Varna: cost of living for digital nomads
Koh Phangan, Thailand and Varna, Bulgaria, 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
- Varna is about 4% cheaper than Koh Phangan for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,250).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $480 in Varna against $500 in Koh Phangan.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Varna: 200 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Koh Phangan is tropical; Varna is temperate.
Koh Phangan wins 1 of the measured lines; Varna wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Koh Phangan or Varna?
Varna is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,250/month in Koh Phangan, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Koh Phangan or Varna?
Koh Phangan and Varna score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Koh Phangan or Varna?
Varna has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Koh Phangan.
| Line | Koh Phangan | Varna |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,250 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $500 | $480 |
| Food | $350 | $330 |
| Transport | $60 | $30 |
| Coworking | $100 | $95 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 200 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | island | coast |
| 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, Varna September 11, 2026.