Digital Nomad Budgets: Lisbon, Mexico City, Bali and Bangkok
Lisbon, Mexico City, Bali and Bangkok sit at the top of almost every list of digital nomad hubs. They offer good internet, big communities of remote workers, coworking spaces and plenty to do. They do not cost the same, though. Depending on which one you pick, the same savings can last twice as long. Here is what a month looks like in each for one person renting their own place.
Monthly cost side by side
These are moderate budgets, built from typical 2026 one-bedroom rents and World Bank price levels for each type of spending. They cover everyday living only.
| Line | Lisbon | Mexico City | Bali (Canggu) | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, one-bedroom | $1,449 | $1,017 | $991 | $548 |
| Groceries | $411 | $411 | $283 | $289 |
| Eating out | $148 | $158 | $65 | $65 |
| Utilities | $129 | $114 | $61 | $65 |
| Phone and internet | $52 | $29 | $22 | $38 |
| Transport | $307 | $264 | $117 | $116 |
| Clothes, care and fun | $226 | $200 | $108 | $113 |
| Total | about $2,720 | about $2,190 | about $1,650 | about $1,230 |
Bangkok comes out cheapest by a wide margin, mostly thanks to rent: a decent condo costs about a third of a Lisbon apartment. Bali’s food, transport and services are as cheap as Thailand’s, but villa rents in popular areas like Canggu have risen sharply. Mexico City sits in the middle, and Lisbon is now the most expensive of the four by far, with rents that take more than half of a moderate budget.
The extras nomads forget
On top of everyday living, remote workers usually pay for a few things residents do not. Travel or nomad health insurance often costs $50 to $200 a month. A coworking desk runs from around $100 a month in Bangkok or Bali to $200 or more in Lisbon. Flights between bases, visa fees and the occasional short-stay rental while you look for a longer one add up too. A realistic allowance is $300 to $500 a month on top of the table, which is why the digital nomad runway calculator has a separate line for extras.
Short stays also cost more. Booking a month or longer usually brings rent close to the figures above, while nightly rentals in the same buildings can cost twice as much. Many nomads book a week or two in a short-stay place, then look for a monthly rental on local listings once they arrive.
How long savings last
With $15,000 saved, no income and $300 a month of extras, the money lasts about 10 months in Bangkok, about 8 in Bali, about 6 in Mexico City and about 5 in Lisbon. With even $1,000 a month of freelance or part-time income, the Bangkok runway stretches past two years. Every bit of steady income makes a big difference, which is why many nomads keep at least one regular client.
Visas for remote workers
All four countries now offer some form of visa for remote workers. Portugal has a digital nomad visa with an income requirement linked to its minimum wage, Indonesia has a remote worker option for Bali, Thailand introduced the Destination Thailand Visa, and Mexico offers temporary residency based on income or savings. The requirements differ and change often, so check the official government sites before relying on any of them, and remember that staying long in one place can make you a tax resident there.
Choosing your base
If you want Europe, good transport links and time zones close to clients in Europe and the US East Coast, Lisbon is hard to beat, but budget for it. Mexico City works well for anyone working with US clients, with the same or nearby time zones. Bali suits people who want a strong nomad community and a slower pace, and Bangkok gives the most for the money with big-city convenience.
To test a move with your own income and savings, try the digital nomad runway calculator, or the geoarbitrage calculator if you plan to keep a home-country salary. These figures are estimates; your own costs depend on your neighbourhood and lifestyle.
Run your own numbers
This guide is general information for planning, not personal financial advice. Figures were checked on the date shown and can change.