A simple monthly budget for nomads has eight categories. Fill each one for your target city, then compare the total against real cost-of-living data before you commit.
- Eight categories: housing, food, workspace, transport, health, connectivity, visas/admin, fun + buffer (10–15%).
- Chiang Mai worked example: ~$1,190/month. Mexico City: ~$2,055/month.
- Always sanity-check your total against the city comparison and recent first-hand reports.
The eight categories
- Housing — rent + utilities + deposit amortised over the stay
- Food — groceries + eating out
- Workspace — coworking or a cafe budget
- Transport — local (scooter, transit) + regional flights
- Health — insurance + out-of-pocket
- Connectivity — SIM/eSIM + a backup data plan
- Visas & admin — visa fees, extensions, mail forwarding
- Fun & buffer — 10–15% on top for the unexpected
Worked example: Chiang Mai
Housing $380, food $320, workspace $100, transport $60, health $120, connectivity $20, visas $40, buffer $150. Total ~$1,190.
A budget you didn't write down isn't a budget. It's a hope.
Once you've shortlisted a country, compare its actual cities on cost, internet, safety and weather.
Compare destinations →Worked example: Mexico City
Housing $950, food $450, workspace $130, transport $80, health $150, connectivity $25, visas $20, buffer $250. Total ~$2,055. Compare with the Medellin and Lisbon breakdowns.
Sanity-check it
Before you book, put your total next to the city's data in our comparison, and ask in local groups whether your housing and food numbers are realistic this year.
Sources & further reading
Check figures and rules against the primary source before you act — they change. Last reviewed August 2026.
- Numbeo — crowd-sourced cost-of-living database
- Numbeo — per-city cost breakdowns
- US CFPB — budgeting frameworks
- OECD — research on remote work / teleworking
FAQ
What should a digital nomad monthly budget include?
Eight categories: housing, food, workspace, transport, health, connectivity, visas and admin, and a 10–15% fun-and-buffer line. Amortise deposits and visa fees over the length of the stay.
How much should I budget for a buffer?
Add 10–15% on top of your itemised total for the unexpected — a scooter repair, a visa run, a price that's higher than you planned.
What does a realistic budget look like for Chiang Mai?
Around $1,190 a month solo: roughly $380 housing, $320 food, $100 coworking, $60 transport, $120 health, $20 connectivity, $40 visas, plus a $150 buffer.
How do I know if my budget numbers are realistic?
Compare your total against per-city cost-of-living data and ask in current local expat or nomad groups — housing and eating-out costs in particular move year to year.
About the author. I'm Alexandre. I've been running an online business from Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America since I left a desk job, and I write the guides on Start Digital Nomad from wherever I'm based that month. This is what I actually use and do — not theory.
