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If you are a digital nomad who loves culture and sunny temperatures all year roundbut the growing crowds in Southern Europe, the unimpressive safety levels in Latin America and the shockingly high prices in the Caribbean will put you off moving, Asia is the next best thing:
Not only is it home to bustling cities that never sleep and beautiful nature unlike anything you’ve ever seen, but it’s also probably the most budget-friendly continent to travel as a telecommuter, due to its low cost of living and lower consumer prices .
If your current budget is less than $1,100 per monthor you’re trying to live frugally while growing your online business, here are 5 of the cheapest digital nomad hotspots in Asia to consider in 2025:
Chiangmai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city, is known for its vibrant night markets, where you can find everything from custom-made clothing to edible insects. Old Town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Listsurrounded by medieval walls and a moat, and an abundance of temples, more than 300 to be somewhat precise.
All this to say that you could easily stay an entire month and still barely scratch the surface, but as a digital nomad you have one more reason to make Chiang Mai your next temporary base, if not a permanent one: it’s filthy cheap even for Asian standards.
If you’re not into luxury, you can easily spend less than $20 a day on food here, eating lavishly at that, and the monthly rent and utilities are just as cheap: according Numbeothe average price of a one-bedroom apartment outside the center is $243.84 per month.
Hoi An, Vietnam
The ‘Yellow City’ of Vietnam, where many of the buildings in the monumental historic center have a distinct ocher color, Hoi An is the place to go for the laid-back, laptop-friendly cafescultural wealth and escaping the hustle and bustle of the country’s larger cities.
Away from the bustling traffic and glass-covered skyscrapers, to the picturesque Japanese pagodas, ornate Chinese temples and Civil buildings from the French era that wouldn’t be out of place in Europe – a testament to Hoi An’s thriving multiculturalism.
All this for just $909 per monthaccording to Nomad list Estimates: Picking up takeaway from a street vendor? That’s about $1.48. Dine in a mid-range restaurant on the picturesque riverbank? $14.75 maximum. Rent an apartment for a month? In some areas you can find it for as little as $249.12.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cambodia’s domestic capital, Phnom Penh, combines the charm of Indochina and French colonial heritage with a walkable riverbank with beautiful pagodas and a busy center with wide French-style avenues and full of casual eateries.
If you easily feel overwhelmed by big cities, this is a great alternative to the megalopolises of Asia, as it is much smaller, with a population of around 2.5 million, and there are plenty of green city parks that offer some variety from the fast lifestyle.
In terms of affordability, Phnom Penh is in the same price range as Bangkok or Hanoi: For $5 you get a hearty meal in a centrally located restaurant and fully furnished rent apartment starts at $589 on Airbnb.
Da Nang, Vietnam
It’s an ongoing theme at the moment, but trendy Da Nang is Also characterized by its French-style buildings, reflecting the period when European traders controlled the strategic port, but if you love nature you might prefer this to the other options mentioned here:
It is the popular starting point for accessing the Bà Nà Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty full of unique geological formations, nature trails and limestone outcrops topped with ancient pagodas, not to mention being surrounded by pristine beaches.
As is the case with most cities in Vietnam, a bowl of pho at a family-run eatery can cost as little as $1.58, and on special dining occasions, $24.62 would be a reasonable ask for a three-course meal at one of those posh restaurants. Restaurants on the harbor – like for rent? How does it work? $355.33 per month sound?
Makassar, Indonesia
Don’t worry, the French haven’t left their mark this instead, it’s the Dutch who have abandoned 17th-century forts, a European-coded town hall and a shop-lined Market Street: welcome to Makassar, the cultural and financial heart of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
With a high concentration of museums, fish restaurants and crowd-free beaches that the Bali nomads have yet to ruinis an emerging ‘workcation’ hub, made for those looking for something special.
A simple meal? Those can cost as little as $1.89 in the right places. Dine in a mid-range restaurant with air conditioning, English-speaking staff and all the good stuff? $9.46 is a safe bet. Want to stay in the city for a month? $199.74 is how much you pay average for rental of one bedroom in the center.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
