From affordability to safety: The 10 best cities for digital nomads 2025
When the digital nomad life calls your name, the big question becomes: Where to?
Having the freedom and flexibility of remote work helps people turn their travel dreams into their everyday reality, even though it comes with its fair share of challenges. This live-work-play lifestyle has surged in popularity over recent years, with one in 10 U.S. workers now calling themselves a digital nomad, according to a 2024 study by MBO Partners.
More destinations around the world – from Taiwan to Portugal – have started to introduce digital nomad visa offerings, creating an overwhelming array of options to choose from for a home base.
When choosing where to go, remote workers need to take several things into consideration, like safety, Wi-Fi access, costs of living and even the logistics of obtaining one of those digital nomad visas. “The freedom of digital nomadism comes with unique challenges,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip. “Having the right travel insurance acts as a safety net, protecting against unexpected medical emergencies, theft, trip disruptions, and more.”
To help decide on a destination, InsureMyTrip ranked the best cities for digital nomads based on factors such as each country’s happiness score, average cost of living, U.S. State Department travel advisories, things to do and safety index using data gathered in September. Each ranked destination offers some form of a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers to legally live and work there for a certain amount of time.
Here are the top 10 cities for digital nomads in 2025:
10. San Jose, Costa Rica
For digital nomads who want to experience “pura vida” – the country’s feel-good slogan – the capital of Costa Rica makes an ideal home base. Travelers can post up in the city, where cafes and workspaces abound – and make weekend getaways to the coast for surfing and relaxing on the beach.
9. Podgorica, Montenegro
Set along the Adriatic coastline, Montenegro is an under-the-radar Baltic destination with a multifaceted history spanning empires. This small yet diverse country boasts an array of natural beauty, from mountain ranges to lakes. Its capital, Podgorica, is known to be highly walkable and blends the old with the new to offer modern cafes near Ottoman-era mosques in its old town.
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires has become a top destination for digital nomads, who are drawn to its vibrant culture and nightlife, warm climate and affordable cost of living. There’s always something to do in the city’s diverse neighborhoods, from tango dancing to wandering the various markets or museums or escaping to nature for a quick day trip to a beach or national park.
7. Nicosia, Cyprus
As the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia boasts a high score for happiness, according to InsureMyTrip. A relatively low cost of living, English being widely spoken, and a temperate Mediterranean climate also make it an attractive choice for digital nomads.
6. Madrid, Spain
Madrid is a top destination for both tourists and expats, however, locals across Spain have expressed concerns over overtourism. With an array of nightlife, restaurants and museums, the city is rich in culture, from historic neighborhoods such as La Latin and colorful murals of Coyoacan.
5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
As an emerging destination for remote workers, Kuala Lumpur boasts affordability when it comes to food and accommodations while still offering modern infrastructure, like a metro system and dependable Wi-Fi. This is the ideal destination for those who want to spend most of their time outside, with nearby beaches for an easy day trip, a warm tropical climate and hiking trails through rainforests.
4. Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s welcoming culture, slow-paced lifestyle, and affordable cost of living have made it a rising destination for expats. In 2022, the country launched its digital nomad visa, making it easier for remote workers to enjoy the beaches, parks and pastel-colored streets.
3. Montevideo, Uruguay
As Uruguay’s largest city, Montevideo has a laid-back yet modern atmosphere, perfect for digital nomads seeking out a more balanced lifestyle. This South American city boasts a low crime rate and cost of living, but also a thriving arts and culture scene and proximity to gorgeous beaches.
2. Budapest, Hungary
As an underrated European destination, Budapest scored the title of the second-best city for digital nomads for its wide range of attractions to explore, from natural landscapes to thermal baths and historical churches. Other perks include a high safety ranking and a low cost of living.
1. Brasilia, Brazil
Brasília earned InsureMyTrip’s top spot as the best city for digital nomads, thanks to its visa option available since January 2022. The city stands out for its affordability compared to the U.S. and relative safety. Digital nomads can enjoy year-round sunshine, warm weather and plenty of green spaces, making it an ideal place to live and work.
