Thimphu vs Weligama: cost of living for digital nomads
Thimphu, Bhutan 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
- Weligama is about 1% cheaper than Thimphu for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,065).
- Thimphu scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Thimphu: 50 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Thimphu is temperate; Weligama is tropical.
Thimphu wins 4 of the measured lines; Weligama wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Thimphu or Weligama?
Weligama is cheaper: about $1,050/month against $1,065/month in Thimphu, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Thimphu or Weligama?
Thimphu scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Weligama.
Which has faster internet, Thimphu or Weligama?
Thimphu has faster typical internet: 50 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Weligama.
| Line | Thimphu | Weligama |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,065 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $400 | $400 |
| Food | $320 | $300 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $70 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 40 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 5/10 | 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): Thimphu September 11, 2026, Weligama August 30, 2026.