This Is the No. 1 Most Affordable Digital Nomad Destination in 2026

A February 2026 report on digital nomad destinations found that Chiang Mai, Thailand, is the cheapest city to live in for under $2,000 per month. With 1 in every 10 workers now having remote jobs, a new study by the monthly magazine Life in Armenia shows where they can afford to work and travel at the same time. 

• Chiang Mai, Thailand, is the most affordable place for remote workers, offering rents under $400 and coworking passes for only 85$.

• The safest city for digital nomads to work and travel is Yerevan, Armenia, with monthly living costs at just $750.

• Asian destinations are best for remote workers on a budget, with Bali and Seoul also making the top 10 low-cost cities for foreigners.

The research examined 28 cities to find where digital nomads can live comfortably under $2,000. The report looked at two expense categories: average monthly cost of living, covering food and utilities, plus average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. These figures were combined to calculate disposable income, revealing how much money nomads have left after covering their bills. The study also tracked factors like safety and country visa policies, showing how many nationalities can enter without paperwork. Additionally, the research considered mobile data prices, monthly coworking costs, and the number of cafes and restaurants.

Here's a look at the top 10 cities where digital nomads can live for under $2,000 monthly:

City	Country Welcomness (Visa-Free entry)	Disposable Income	Cost of 1GB of mobile data	Cost of 1 month coworking desk	Number of Coworking Spaces	Number of Bars and Restaurants
Chiang Mai	112	$1,021	$0.41	$85	24	2,679
Bangkok	112	$784	$0.41	$168	164	10,360
Tbilisi	103	$729	$1.91	$120	27	2,313
Yerevan	140	$677	$0.98	$135	24	1,517
Bali	98	$501	$0.28	$129	37	9,030
Budapest	93	$378	$1.71	$172	59	4,165
Athens	93	$339	$2.79	$204	32	3,406
Zagreb	93	$258	$1.19	$185	17	1,059
Mexico City	67	$249	$2.03	$144	231	9,548
Seoul	110	$237	$5.01	$231	106	10,480

You can access the complete research findings here.

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Country visa openness: 112 countries

• Disposable income: $1,021.28

• Mobile data cost: $0.41 per GB

• Monthly coworking desk: $85

• Coworking spaces: 24

• Cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs: 2,679

Chiang Mai is the best city for digital nomads on a $2,000 monthly budget. Remote workers here spend less than $1,000 on rent and living costs, leaving over $1K in their pockets each month. That's more in savings than any other city can offer. Thailand also allows visitors from 112 countries to enter without a visa, making arrival easy for most international workers. Another draw is the cheap internet at 41 cents per gigabyte, plus affordable coworking spaces that charge just $85 for a dedicated desk. 

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is another Thai city where digital nomads can live comfortably with $2,000. The capital costs more ($1,200 a month) than Chiang Mai but offers better infrastructure. Bangkok has 164 coworking spaces, giving remote workers way more options than the northern city's 24 locations. Bangkok is also a better option for socializing with other nomads, offering over 10K cafes and restaurants. Mobile data here costs the same 41 cents per gigabyte as in Chiang Mai. 

3. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi takes third place, allowing nomads to save over $700 from their $2,000 monthly budget after paying rent and daily costs. Getting there is quite easy, as Georgia has visa-free agreements with more than 100 countries. Another advantage is affordable workspaces, charging just $120 for a monthly pass, about half what nomads pay in cities like Berlin or Amsterdam. While mobile data costs more than in Thailand ($1.91 per gigabyte), it's still affordable enough to even skip co-workings and work outdoors with your own internet.

4. Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan is another affordable destination for digital nomads traveling in the South Caucasus. Armenia has one of the most open policies when it comes to tourism, welcoming visitors from 140 countries without visas. Compared to Tbilisi, nomads here will also pay less for internet, as mobile data costs just under a dollar per gigabyte. Additionally, the Armenian capital offers plenty of places to go out and socialize, with over 1,500 cafes across its safe neighborhoods. All these advantages come for just $670 in monthly expenses, keeping Yerevan among the most affordable travel options. 

5. Bali, Indonesia

Bali rounds out the top five, letting nomads save over $500 each month from their $2K budgets. The Indonesian island offers some of the cheapest internet rates, with local providers charging only 28 cents per gigabyte. This is a great opportunity for nomads who enjoy working outdoors rather than in coworking spaces. Beyond affordability, one of the reasons why digital nomads love visiting here is the social scene, with more than 9,000 spots to eat and hang out. Like in other top-rated cities, traveling to Bali isn’t hard either, as nearly 100 countries enjoy a visa-free arrangement with Indonesia. 

Mathew Zein, Chief Editor of Life in Armenia magazine, commented: 

"The average digital nomad could spend around $3,200 monthly when traveling, but plenty of cities cost half that amount. It's no surprise Bangkok is one of them, but cities like Tbilisi and Yerevan often go under the radar. Other than affordability, these cities offer active social scenes and, most importantly, safety. Yerevan, for example, scores 78 out of 100 in the safety index, making it much more secure than Barcelona or Berlin for foreigners."