Live abroad on $800/month
Yes, you can live abroad on $800/month. Here are the cities where nomads actually do it — with real rent, food, and coworking prices.
What $800/month looks like as a digital nomad
Living on $800 per month as a digital nomad requires choosing the right city. Southeast Asia dominates at this budget, where a studio apartment costs $250–400, street food meals run $1–3, and coworking day passes are under $10. It's tight but very doable in cities with low cost of living and strong nomad infrastructure.
1 cities within budget
Cities where you can live on $800/month
How to spend $800/month in each city
Monthly cost breakdown showing where your money goes
| City | Housing | Food | Transport | Coworking | Fun | Utilities | Total | Left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Thailand | $370 | $180 | $50 | $70 | $80 | $50 | $800 | +$0 |
At a $800/month budget, the cheapest option is Chiang Mai at $800/month, where housing averages $370/month and food costs around $180/month.
Tips for living on $800/month
Cook at home 4–5 days/week and eat street food the rest
Use shared coworking day passes instead of monthly memberships
Choose neighborhoods slightly outside the main expat area for 20–30% cheaper rent
Use local SIM cards ($5–10/mo) instead of international plans
Take local buses and walk — skip ride-hailing apps
What $800/month gets you
Average costs across 1 cities at this budget
Housing
$370avg. rent/mo
Food
$180avg. food/mo
Transport
$50avg./mo
Coworking
$70avg./mo
Fun
$80avg./mo
Utilities
$50avg./mo
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about living on $800/month as a digital nomad
Yes, in cities like Da Nang, Chiang Mai, and Ho Chi Minh City. The key is cheap housing ($250–400/mo for a studio), eating local food ($150–250/mo), and free or cheap coworking options. Thousands of nomads do it every month.
FAQ: Living on $800/month as a Digital Nomad
Can you really live on $800 a month abroad?
Yes, in cities like Da Nang, Chiang Mai, and Ho Chi Minh City. The key is cheap housing ($250–400/mo for a studio), eating local food ($150–250/mo), and free or cheap coworking options. Thousands of nomads do it every month.
What does $800/month get you?
A private studio or 1-bedroom apartment, 3 meals a day (mostly local food), basic coworking access, local transport, and some entertainment. You won't be eating at Western restaurants daily, but you'll live comfortably by local standards.
What's the biggest cost at this budget?
Housing takes 40–50% of your budget ($300–400). After that, food is the second largest expense ($150–250). Keeping rent low is the single most important factor at this budget level.
Is $800/month realistic long-term?
For 3–6 months, absolutely. Long-term (1+ year), you may want a buffer for unexpected costs, visa runs, and occasional splurges. Many nomads budget $800 base + $200 buffer.
Explore other budgets
See what life looks like at different price points