Best cities for digital nomads in Asia

Where remote work actually works in Asia: fast internet, an established expat and nomad scene, liveable weather, and a monthly budget that leaves room to save.

Methodology: Only cities with a strong internet score (65+) qualify; blended score: internet speed (30%), affordability (30%), expat & nomad community (25%), and climate (15%), all from Jonzy catalog data.

  1. 1. Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Internet 95/100 · Expat scene 70/100 · $1,160/mo

    Internet 95/100 and a 70/100 expat scene on roughly $1,160/mo all-in.

  2. 2. Bangalore, India

    Internet 82/100 · Expat scene 80/100 · $1,120/mo

    Internet 82/100 and a 80/100 expat scene on roughly $1,120/mo all-in.

  3. 3. Penang, Malaysia

    Internet 80/100 · Expat scene 88/100 · $1,170/mo

    Internet 80/100 and a 88/100 expat scene on roughly $1,170/mo all-in.

  4. 4. Pokhara, Nepal

    Internet 75/100 · Expat scene 75/100 · $640/mo

    Internet 75/100 and a 75/100 expat scene on roughly $640/mo all-in.

  5. 5. Taipei, Taiwan

    Internet 90/100 · Expat scene 78/100 · $1,430/mo

    Internet 90/100 and a 78/100 expat scene on roughly $1,430/mo all-in.

  6. 6. Batumi, Georgia

    Internet 80/100 · Expat scene 75/100 · $940/mo

    Internet 80/100 and a 75/100 expat scene on roughly $940/mo all-in.

  7. 7. Phuket, Thailand

    Internet 78/100 · Expat scene 88/100 · $1,275/mo

    Internet 78/100 and a 88/100 expat scene on roughly $1,275/mo all-in.

  8. 8. Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Internet 72/100 · Expat scene 85/100 · $910/mo

    Internet 72/100 and a 85/100 expat scene on roughly $910/mo all-in.

  9. 9. Yogyakarta, Indonesia

    Internet 75/100 · Expat scene 75/100 · $760/mo

    Internet 75/100 and a 75/100 expat scene on roughly $760/mo all-in.

  10. 10. Cebu, Philippines

    Internet 72/100 · Expat scene 84/100 · $980/mo

    Internet 72/100 and a 84/100 expat scene on roughly $980/mo all-in.

  11. 11. Galle, Sri Lanka

    Internet 75/100 · Expat scene 72/100 · $830/mo

    Internet 75/100 and a 72/100 expat scene on roughly $830/mo all-in.

  12. 12. Bangkok, Thailand

    Internet 82/100 · Expat scene 86/100 · $1,380/mo

    Internet 82/100 and a 86/100 expat scene on roughly $1,380/mo all-in.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities for digital nomads in Asia — which city is #1?

Kaohsiung, Taiwan tops this list. Internet 95/100 and a 70/100 expat scene on roughly $1,160/mo all-in. Bangalore and Penang round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with a strong internet score (65+) qualify; blended score: internet speed (30%), affordability (30%), expat & nomad community (25%), and climate (15%), all from Jonzy catalog data. 70 catalog cities in Asia qualified for this list; the top 12 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.

How much does it cost to live in the top city in Asia?

Kaohsiung runs about $1,160/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Kaohsiung city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.