Best cities for freelancers
Freelancers need fast, reliable internet, great coworking options, and a cost of living that lets them weather variable income. These cities deliver on all three — plus inspiring environments to do your best work.
How we rank cities for freelancers
Freelancing abroad is about maximizing the gap between what you earn and what you spend. The best cities for freelancers combine rock-solid internet (because missing a client deadline isn't an option), excellent coworking options (because working from your apartment gets lonely), and low costs (because freelance income can be variable). Internet score is weighted heavily in our ranking — a city can be cheap and beautiful, but if the WiFi drops during a client call, it's not viable. We also factor in time zone overlap with major client markets (US, EU, UK), since that affects earning potential. Cities with strong coworking scenes score higher because the social and professional network is critical for freelancers finding new clients.
Top picks
Best cities for freelancers
All 19 cities ranked
Sorted by best fit for freelancers
Taipei, Taiwan
East Asia
$1,200/mo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Southeast Asia
$1,000/mo
Da Nang, Vietnam
Southeast Asia
$850/mo
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Southeast Asia
$900/mo
Prague, Czech Republic
Europe
$1,500/mo
Las Palmas, Spain
Europe
$1,400/mo
Budapest, Hungary
Europe
$1,200/mo
Belgrade, Serbia
Europe
$1,000/mo
Bali, Indonesia
Southeast Asia
$1,100/mo
Porto, Portugal
Europe
$1,200/mo
Mexico City, Mexico
North America
$1,300/mo
Lisbon, Portugal
Europe
$1,900/mo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
South America
$1,100/mo
Medellín, Colombia
South America
$1,200/mo
Tbilisi, Georgia
Europe
$1,000/mo
Cape Town, South Africa
Africa
$1,300/mo
Cost comparison
Monthly costs for freelancers across all cities
| City | Housing | Food | Transport | Coworking | Fun | Utilities | Total | Left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Thailand | $370 | $180 | $50 | $70 | $80 | $50 | $800 | -$800 |
| Bucharest Romania | $500 | $220 | $30 | $110 | $80 | $60 | $1,000 | -$1,000 |
| Bangkok Thailand | $450 | $230 | $60 | $100 | $200 | $60 | $1,100 | -$1,100 |
| Taipei Taiwan | $600 | $280 | $40 | $120 | $100 | $60 | $1,200 | -$1,200 |
| Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | $500 | $200 | $60 | $100 | $80 | $60 | $1,000 | -$1,000 |
| Da Nang Vietnam | $400 | $200 | $50 | $80 | $80 | $40 | $850 | -$850 |
| Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam | $450 | $200 | $40 | $80 | $80 | $50 | $900 | -$900 |
| Prague Czech Republic | $800 | $300 | $50 | $150 | $120 | $80 | $1,500 | -$1,500 |
| Las Palmas Spain | $700 | $300 | $50 | $150 | $100 | $100 | $1,400 | -$1,400 |
| Budapest Hungary | $630 | $250 | $50 | $120 | $100 | $50 | $1,200 | -$1,200 |
| Belgrade Serbia | $500 | $230 | $20 | $100 | $100 | $50 | $1,000 | -$1,000 |
| Bali Indonesia | $500 | $250 | $70 | $100 | $120 | $60 | $1,100 | -$1,100 |
| Porto Portugal | $600 | $250 | $50 | $120 | $100 | $80 | $1,200 | -$1,200 |
| Mexico City Mexico | $650 | $280 | $50 | $120 | $130 | $70 | $1,300 | -$1,300 |
| Lisbon Portugal | $1,000 | $400 | $80 | $150 | $150 | $120 | $1,900 | -$1,900 |
| Buenos Aires Argentina | $550 | $300 | $40 | $80 | $80 | $50 | $1,100 | -$1,100 |
| Medellín Colombia | $600 | $250 | $60 | $100 | $130 | $60 | $1,200 | -$1,200 |
| Tbilisi Georgia | $600 | $180 | $30 | $70 | $70 | $50 | $1,000 | -$1,000 |
| Cape Town South Africa | $650 | $280 | $50 | $130 | $100 | $90 | $1,300 | -$1,300 |
What freelancers need in a city
Fast, reliable internet — 50+ Mbps minimum for video calls
Excellent coworking scenes with networking opportunities
Low cost of living — maximize your freelance margins
Good time zone overlap with US/EU clients
Inspiring environments that boost creativity
Business-friendly banking and payment infrastructure
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about digital nomad life in Freelancers
Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur lead with 100+ Mbps fiber in most apartments. Lisbon, Chiang Mai, and Medellín also offer reliable 50-100 Mbps. Bali can be spotty outside coworking spaces but is improving with Starlink.
FAQ: Best Cities for Freelancers
Which city has the fastest internet for remote work?
Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur lead with 100+ Mbps fiber in most apartments. Lisbon, Chiang Mai, and Medellín also offer reliable 50-100 Mbps. Bali can be spotty outside coworking spaces but is improving with Starlink.
Is coworking worth it for freelancers?
Yes — for the internet reliability, networking, and routine. Meeting other freelancers leads to referrals and collaborations. Most spaces cost $80-200/month in nomad cities. The professional connections alone often pay for the membership.
What time zones work best for freelancers with US clients?
Latin American cities (Mexico City, Medellín, Buenos Aires) overlap perfectly with US business hours. Lisbon and Tbilisi work for EU/UK clients. Southeast Asian cities require early morning or late night calls for US clients.
How do freelancers handle taxes while abroad?
This depends on your citizenship and tax residency. Most US citizens must file regardless. Many nomads use LLC structures or work with international tax advisors. Popular tools include Wise for multi-currency banking and various invoicing platforms for international clients.
Explore by lifestyle
Find the best cities for your nomad style
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Couples
Finding the right city as a couple means balancing quality of life, affordable housing for two, and lifestyle options. These cities offer the best experience for nomad couples — with real costs for a shared life.
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Budget Nomads
Maximize your runway and live well on less. These cities offer the lowest cost of living for digital nomads — without sacrificing internet quality or quality of life.
Party & Nightlife Nomads
Work hard, play harder. These cities combine great nomad infrastructure with legendary nightlife scenes — rooftop bars, underground clubs, beach parties, and vibrant social events.