Real Numbers

One month in Chiang Mai — real January 2026 expenses. Rent, food, scooter, coworking. Total: $1,150 USD.

Mexico City is the new Lisbon — except cheaper, denser, and much less English-speaking. We tracked a month of expenses there in April 2026. Total: $1,580 USD. Receipts inside.

One month in Mexico City — real April 2026 expenses. Rent, food, coworking. Total: $1,420 USD.

One month in Lisbon — real cost breakdown March 2026. Rent, food, transport, coworking. Total: €2,180.

Bangkok is the new digital nomad capital. Chiang Mai is the original. We spent a month in each in 2026 — here’s the actual comparison and which is right for whom.

Lisbon is the obvious choice. Porto is the cheaper alternative. Coimbra is the underdog. We tracked living costs in all three in April 2026 — here’s where the value actually is.

Madrid is up-and-coming on the nomad map. Barcelona is the established choice. We spent a month in each in 2026. Here’s which is actually better — and for whom.

Total spent in Lisbon, April 2026: €2,140. Every receipt. The €600 deposit mistake. The €40 transit hack. The neighborhood-by-neighborhood reality.