In our index of the top 20 digital nomad countries for 2026, we ranked every country in the world on the top criteria important for travelers. These statistical rankings often favor developed countries with higher cost of living, which generally correlates to higher safety, infrastructure, internet speeds. However many travelers are exclusively seeking affordable countries for digital nomads.

Here are the top 20 statistically ranked low cost of living countries for digital nomads in 2026 (under $1,500 USD per month). The top four countries are in our top-20 overall ranking.

1. Vietnam

It will come as no surprise to some that Vietnam ranks as the top affordable country for digital nomads. Vietnam combines incredibly low cost of living with excellent internet speeds, tourism potential and above-average safety. E-visas are required but are easily attainable for US or Canadian travelers, and allow for stays up to 90 days.

Cost of living can very widely in Vietnam, with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh being more expensive than smaller cities like Da Nang. Over-tourism is also a concern in areas like Ha Long Bay. Despite the higher CoL, Ho Chi Mihn City is still a favourite of many digital nomads. Those who want a more laid-back city within nature may consider Da Lat.

2. Malaysia

Malaysia offers an attractive blend of modern infrastructure, culture, and affordability, making it a top destination for digital nomads. A mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures creates an incredibly culinary landscape. English is widely spoken as well.

As with most top digital nomad countries, over-tourism is the primary issue in Malaysia. Travelers to Kuala Lumpur and Penang are putting a strain on local infrastructure. Remote workers should consider smaller cities like Ipoh or Kuching in Sarawak, which offer a similar quality of life at an even lower cost.

3. Taiwan

It may surprise some that Taiwan is considered an affordable country for digital nomads. Taiwan offers high-tech society, natural beauty, and excellent food scene at a lower cost of living than many would expect. Efficient public transportation, low crime, excellent healthcare, fast internet, and a friendly local population - Taiwan offers a very high quality of life.

Taiwan's capital, Taipei, has a relatively high cost of living. Some digital nomads may prefer cities like Kaohsiung, Taichung or Tainan at lower cost and with less crowds.

4. Thailand

Low cost of living, incredible street food, and a welcoming culture are just some of Thailand's appeals. Bangkok is a highly developed and exciting city with plenty to do, while Chiang Mai offers a more relaxed and spiritual vibe. Not to mention the dozens of breathtaking Thai islands that truly excels in work-life balance.

While Thailand is an incredible prospect, digital nomads do need to be aware of a few potential drawbacks. The main one is the high season, when over-tourism can make popular spots feel crowded and drive up prices. The dry season (November-February) is a fantastic time to visit but also the most expensive. Another concern can be the "burning season" in northern Thailand from February to April.

5. Montserrat

Montserrat offers an affordable base in the Caribbean - a location often reserved for the ultra-wealthy. This British territory offers beautiful island landscapes and a relaxed lifestyle for a much lower price than neighbouring islands. It's however a small island without much infrastructure - only 5000 residents call the island home. It may not be for those seeking a lot of activities and a vibrant social scene, but the laid-back feel of the hillside or beach-side villas are unmatched.

Little Bay is rapidly developing into an attractive destination, and Salem is a beautiful spot within nature. Canadian or US citizens can visit the island for up to 180 days visa-free. The existence of a digital nomad visa is also a plus, however the fact that it adds tax obligations for only an additional 6-month stay is a major downside.

6. Argentina

Argentina is a popular affordable destination for digital nomads for good reason. The country offers high quality of life, often for a very affordable price. We say 'often' because Argentina has one of the most volatile economies in South America. Argentina can fluctuate from being the cheapest to the most expensive country in the continent, depending on inflation levels.

Hyperinflation recently surged by over 200% in 2024. Going into 2026, inflation is beginning to stabilize, however cost of living in Argentina is still quite high. We would recommend revisiting Argentina in the future once prices return to historic levels.

7. Mauritius

Mauritius is an exciting and relatively unknown digital nomad destination that can certainly be done without breaking the bank. The African island is beautiful, English speaking, and relatively affordable. Airbnbs in tourist hubs can be quite expensive, however 1-BR apartments outside of city centers can be found for around $500. Similarly, tourist-focused restaurants can easily match Western prices, while local restaurants or street food will sell meals for under $5.

The main downside is the isolated location of the country, which causes flights to be more expensive. However if combining Mauritius in a trip with perhaps Botswana or the Asian countries on this list, the cost could be affordable. Mauritius offers 90-day visa-free stays to US and Canadian citizens. Mauritius also offers a free and attainable Premium Travel Visa, which allows for stays of up to 2 years, which can reduce the cost of frequent flights.

8. Bulgaria

Bulgaria has long been a popular destination for digital nomads as its a European country with high quality of life for a low cost of living. Sofia is a modern and interesting city that's more affordable than most capital cities in Europe. Bulgaria has numerous smaller cities that offer even more affordability within the mountains and diverse landscape of this Balkan country.

Bulgaria is visa-free for up to 90 days for Canadian and US citizens, within the Schengen agreement. This allows for free movement within other Schengen countries. Combined with the Bulgaria Digital Nomad visa, this is a quite affordable base for digital nomads looking for a door into longer-term stays in Europe.

9. Fiji

One of the biggest surprises on this list of affordable countries for digital nomads is Fiji - a destination more associated with a luxury honeymoon than cheap travel. Fiji contains over 300 islands, only some of which are reserved for its famous over-water villas. A couple of the larger islands are home to more than 900,000 Fijian residents, which can serve as an viable base for digital nomads.

Unfortunately, for consistent internet you may be limited to a couple cities on the main island of Viti Levu. These cities are well connected to the other island chains, which can allow you to get a taste of the luxury destinations whenever possible. A generous 120-day visa-free allowance further suggests that Fiji may be worth the long flight.

10. Colombia

Colombia has long been one of the top destination for digital nomads seeking an affordable cost of living. With a vibrant culture, great nightlife, and excellent food, it's an attractive destination. Strong internet and a time zone matching Toronto and New York makes it a great base for remote work. The primary concern for travelers in Colombia is safety, as the country ranks amongst the worst in the world for petty and violent crime.

Traveling to Colombia can be done safely and affordably, but may require more planning than most destinations. Research safety based on neighbourhoods in each city you plan to see. In general, tourist/expat areas, and higher-end neighbourhoods experience low levels of crime, but these areas will also have the highest cost of living.

11. Mongolia

Mongolia is not the most common digital nomad destination, but the country offers a unique experience not found anywhere else in the world, for an affordable cost of living. Due to the short summer (and visa) period, Mongolia is a great short-term stop to experience this unique culture. Ulaanbaatar offers the most infrastructure, as well as a gateway to the Steppe.

Visiting the Steppe is the main appeal for travelers to Mongolia. Unfortunately, the area is not ideal for remote workers with steady office hours that require stable internet connections. However the remoteness may appeal to creatives who want to design or write without distraction, while exploring the stunning landscapes for inspiration.

12. Indonesia

Indonesia, or more specifically Bali, may be the epicenter of the digital nomad scene in Asia, and the iconic cheap travel destination. Unchecked tourism has degraded the former paradise, especially in areas like Kuta, Canggu, and Ubud. Bali still has beautiful, lesser-visited areas like Sidemen Valley, Amed, Munduk and Lovina that are both more tranquil and affordable. Neighbouring islands like the Gilis or Lombok are also commonly recommended.

Of course, Indonesia has countless destinations that do not share these over-tourism and cost of living problems. There are numerous other islands which offer picturesque beaches, or affordable city lifestyles on Java and Sumatra. The lack of a visa-free period for Canadian or US travelers is certainly a downside, however the required eVISA or Visa on Arrival is easily attainable. The Social/Business visa (B211A) is another option for those seeking longer stays (up to 180 days).

13. Nepal

Nepal offers stunning mountain scenery with an affordable cost of living. The Kathmandu Valley houses the majority of the population, which has the typical benefits and negatives of big-city lifestyle. Pokhara may be more appealing to digital nomads seeking cheaper costs blended with natural beauty.

The required Visa on Arrival is easily attainable, but is an additional administrative step with a cost. Upon arrival you may receive up to a 90-day visa for $125 USD. This visa can be extended at immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara to a maximum of 150 days. Nepal does not offer a digital nomad visa currently, but one is in the works, rumored to allow stays for an impressive 5-years.

14. Philippines

The Philippines is a beautiful country which attracts travelers to its stunning nature with affordable prices. This increase in tourism brings a lot of opportunities, but also downsides, for digital nomads seeking an affordable place to live. Tourists naturally head to stunning beach destinations like El Nido, Coron and Siargao, which raise cost of living and make them less viable for long-term stays. Meanwhile city life can range from moderate to highly affordable, in cities like Manila, Cebu or Baguio.

Many digital nomads may opt to stay in larger cities with strong internet and infrastructure, but with access to the stunning nature in the country. The initial 30-day visa-free period is a downside, and further restricts work in remote islands without an immigration office. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) office while you are in the Philippines. The initial visa-free stay can typically be extended up to a total of 59 days initially, and then further extensions can be applied for, up to a maximum stay of 36 months.

15. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is another one of the lesser-visited countries on this list of affordable digital nomad destinations. Central Asia in general does not attract much tourism, but its well reviewed of those who do visit the beautiful landscapes. Incredibly historic cities and unique architecture combined with beautiful mountainous landscapes; Uzbekistan has a lot of appeals for remote workers.

The 30-day visa duration is an unfortunate limiting factor which causes the country to rank lower on this list. However central Asia is located in proximity to many other digital nomad destinations, which makes it appealing to add a month in Uzbekistan to an existing travel itinerary.

16. Laos

Laos is a beautiful yet lesser-visited country in Southeast Asia, which opens opportunities for digital nomads seeking affordable travel. The country has incredible nature, complete with limestone mountains, picturesque rice fields and stunning waterfalls. Laos is also quite safe, with low violent crime levels relative to other SEA nations. A primary safety concern is the number of unexploded mines in remote areas, however this can be avoided when in cities or by sticking to marked hiking trails.

Laos unfortunately has less development and infrastructure compared to its neighbours. Roads can be poor, slow internet, and few public transit options. However if you're seeking an affordable Asian country with a slower pace of life, Laos is an attractive prospect.

17. Armenia

Armenia offers comfortable and safe cities as well as impressive natural landscapes at an affordable budget for digital nomads. The country has modern comforts yet still feels like a step back in time. Armenia has historical cities along with a great food scene. Although the cities itself are very safe and clean, what causes the country to rank lower in the Global Safety Ranking is regional tensions with Azerbaijan, in which conflicts are not uncommon.

Armenia ranks higher on our Digital Nomad Index compared to Georgia, another popular digital nomad destination. Georgia has an incredibly generous visa-free duration (up to a year), but Armenia's safety and internet scores puts this Caucasus country just ahead.

18. Botswana

The highest scoring affordable country for digital nomads in continental Africa is Botswana. The country takes its conservation efforts seriously, and is one of the best places in Africa to go on a safari in a game reserve. Nearly 40% of the country is set aside for national parks and wildlife management, and is home to the largest population of African elephants in the world.

With a stable democracy, good safety rankings and a generous 90-day visa-free allowance, Botswana is an attractive prospect for nomads. The main towns and cities are very affordable for everyday life. Tourist-focused areas catering to the national parks will naturally be more expensive.

19. North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a quiet and charming country in the Balkans, and also one of the most affordable. Its small population is contained in just a few cities, all of which are ideal for digital nomads. Skopje's redevelopment aims to attract tourists; we enjoyed the sights and tastes of the city. Ohrid is the most popular tourist destination in the country; easily the most scenic but also will have higher prices within the old town. Finally, Bitola is a smaller but more authentic city, with a very low cost of living but still within proximity to Lake Ohrid.

Although not in the Schengen zone, North Macedonia shares the same 90-day visa-free allowance for Canadian and US citizens. North Macedonia is absolutely worth a visit when traveling through the neighbouring (and nearly as affordable) Balkan countries.

20. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan shares a lot of the characteristics of its central Asian neighbour, Uzbekistan. It's an affordable destination with a high quality of life within close proximity to the mountainous landscape. Almaty may be the best city in the region in terms of balance between city amenities, natural beauty, and affordability.

Kazakhstan also unfortunately shares the short 30-day visa-free allowance, however Almaty and the Uzbek capital are closely located and can be easily combined into one itinerary.

Conclusion - Affordable Digital Nomad Index

If you'd like to read our ranking methodology, or if you're curious which countries ranked the highest in the world regardless of affordability, visit our post on the top 20 countries for digital nomads in 2026.

Also, be sure to check out our Digital Nomad Checklist to be sure you're prepared for the lifestyle.

Be sure to buy travel insurance and an eSIM before you fly.

It is important to do your own research prior to making any travel plans. International travel laws and cultural landscapes can change rapidly.