Luang Prabang vs Weligama: cost of living for digital nomads
Luang Prabang, Laos and Weligama, Sri Lanka, 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
- Luang Prabang is about 16% cheaper than Weligama for a month of nomad living ($880 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $330 in Luang Prabang against $400 in Weligama.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Luang Prabang: 50 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Luang Prabang wins 6 of the measured lines; Weligama wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Weligama?
Luang Prabang is cheaper: about $880/month against $1,050/month in Weligama, roughly 16% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Luang Prabang or Weligama?
Luang Prabang and Weligama score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Luang Prabang or Weligama?
Luang Prabang has faster typical internet: 50 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Weligama.
| Line | Luang Prabang | Weligama |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $880 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $330 | $400 |
| Food | $260 | $300 |
| Transport | $25 | $50 |
| Coworking | $65 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 40 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Weligama
Sri Lankan surf-and-nomad town on the south coast — cheap, laid-back, warm year-round.
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): Luang Prabang September 11, 2026, Weligama August 30, 2026.