For the purpose of determining the best areas to be a digital nomad in 2024, instantoffices rated 61 different locales based on a variety of characteristics, including cost, weather, internet speed, and other considerations.
It is possible that by the year 2035, one billion people would be residing and working as digital nomads. This was made possible by advancements in technology, remote working, and workplace culture. The global nomadic workforce, which is capable of connecting to the internet from any location in the globe as long as they have a reliable connection, is expected to account for one out of every three workers in the future.
The development of digital nomads is being pushed by technology, the rising need for flexible workplaces, and the increasing use of hybrid work. There are now more than 35 million digital nomads throughout the globe.
A ranking of the best places for digital nomads
Please find below a rating of 61 of the finest destinations to be a digital nomad in the year 2024. Dubai and Lisbon are now ranked as the top two places.
Locations that score top provide the optimal mix of cost-effective living accompanied by gorgeous weather, excellent connections, and a good quality of life. Notable is the fact that many of the most popular tourist destinations are quite low on the list. Cities such as London, Paris, and Milan are all places that feature below surprising winners like Jacksonville and Gothenburg.
Dubai stands out as the top destination for digital nomads, surpassing every other city that was examined in this regard. A city in the United Arab Emirates that is known for its great infrastructure and strong reputation as a center for international commerce. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates provides a unique Online Work Residency Visa that is valid for one year.
When you are working in the sunny city of Dubai, you won’t have to worry about internet access since there are over 23,000 wireless hotspots spread out around the city, and the average broadband speed is 230 megabits per second. The climate of Dubai, which receives an average of 3,500 hours of sunlight each year, is another reason why digital nomads from all over the globe choose to make their home there. Because of this, it is a perfect location to continue working from the beach!
Lisbon, which is located not too far behind Dubai, is an ideal destination for those who are looking for affordable but delectable cuisine, stunning weather and landscape, and excellent infrastructure. A sanctuary for foodies, the capital of Portugal is located on the coast and is one of the sunniest cities in Europe. Local markets and freshly caught seafood can be found on practically every corner of the city.
Due to the presence of over 7,000 wireless hotspots and an average internet speed of 98 megabits per second, the city is an excellent location for working effectively while still taking advantage of the sun and surfing. As an example, a coffee in Lisbon will only set you back £1.66, but a night’s stay at an Airbnb would set you back £115.
The best towns in the world for digital nomads
Rank | City | Country |
1 | Dubai | UAE |
2 | Lisbon | Portugal |
3 | Madrid | Spain |
4 | Los Angeles | USA |
5 | Sydney | Australia |
6 | Barcelona | Spain |
7 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
8 | Bangkok | Thailand |
9 | Dallas | USA |
10 | Rotterdam | Netherlands |
11 | Jacksonville | USA |
12 | New York | USA |
13 | Seoul | South Korea |
14 | Taipei | Taiwan |
15 | San Antonio | USA |
16 | San Diego | USA |
17 | Paris | France |
18 | Cape Town | South Africa |
19 | Singapore | Singapore |
20 | Phoenix | USA |
21 | Beijing | China |
22 | Tokyo | Japan |
23 | Hong Kong | Southeast China |
24 | Stockholm | Sweden |
25 | Austin | USA |
26 | Perth | Australia |
27 | Vienna | Austria |
28 | Delhi | India |
29 | Munich | Germany |
30 | Casablanca | Morocco |
31 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam |
32 | Houston | USA |
33 | Shanghai | China |
34 | Gothenburg | Sweden |
35 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia |
36 | San Francisco | USA |
37 | Jakarta | Indonesia |
38 | Athens | Greece |
39 | Rome | Italy |
40 | Berlin | Germany |
41 | Kathmandu | Nepal |
42 | Mumbai | India |
43 | Chicago | USA |
44 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
45 | Milan | Italy |
46 | Washington D.C. | USA |
47 | Zurich | Switzerland |
48 | Geneva | Switzerland |
49 | Hanoi | Vietnam |
50 | Istanbul | Turkey |
51 | Dusseldorf | Germany |
52 | Valencia | Spain |
53 | London | UK |
54 | Wellington | New Zealand |
55 | Hamburg | Germany |
56 | Auckland | New Zealand |
57 | Thessaloniki | Greece |
58 | Oslo | Norway |
59 | Brussels | Belgium |
60 | Manila | Philippines |
61 | Dublin | Ireland |
The public’s attention is on Asia
We have ranked Bangkok as the best city in Asia on our list. More than 15,000 internet hotspots with an average internet speed of 229 megabits per second are available, and the local cuisine is absolutely mouthwatering. Street food stalls are also thriving.
Other Asian commercial centers, such as Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong, provide enthralling travel experiences, scenery, and cuisine in addition to exceptional connectivity, infrastructure, and a cost of living that is reasonable.
It is possible for digital nomads to find that the day-to-day expenditures in Asian cities are quite low. With a Vietnamese eating experience spending just £18,9, Hanoi is the city with the most inexpensive food, while Kathmandu is the city with the cheapest coffee, with a cappuccino costing only £1.27.
For digital nomads who are interested in seeing some of the most famous business centers in the world and taking advantage of a continent that is packed with intriguing travel options and attractions, the bustling metropolises that are located throughout Central, East, South, Southeast, and Western Asia are ideal destinations. As more individuals explore for innovative ways to use the workplace, there is a strong demand for flexible office space in areas like Singapore and Hong Kong. This means that it is not difficult to locate creative coworking spaces in Singapore, conference rooms, and serviced offices from which you can work while you are traveling.
Connectivity is also unparalleled in its quality. The average internet speed in Beijing is the highest in this list, coming in at 260 megabits per second. Jakarta, on the other hand, has most strongly wi-fi hotspots, with more than 97,000 of them spread out around the city. On the other hand, Tokyo now holds the top spot when it comes to the quality of life.
Cities in Asia that are the best for digital nomads
Rank | City | Country |
1 | Bangkok | Thailand |
2 | Seoul | South Korea |
3 | Taipei | Taiwan |
4 | Singapore | Singapore |
5 | Beijing | China |
6 | Tokyo | Japan |
7 | Hong Kong | Southeast China |
8 | Delhi | India |
9 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam |
10 | Shanghai | China |
11 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia |
12 | Jakarta | Indonesia |
13 | Kathmandu | Nepal |
14 | Mumbai | India |
15 | Hanoi | Vietnam |
16 | Manila | Philippines |
With abundance of coworking space, wonderful food, travel options, and perhaps most enticing of all, unrivaled sunny weather, neighboring nations in the Asia-Pacific region also rank high on the list for digital nomads. Australia and New Zealand are two examples of these places. Our list includes a number of significant cities, including Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, and Perth, among others.
The sun shines on Europe
According to the cities that were examined, Europe is the continent that has the highest number of digital nomads moving there, making it one of the most attractive locations for digital nomads. In Europe, digital nomads have the opportunity to spend a weekend touring in Paris and then take a train back to London in time for work on Monday. Europe’s rich history, good transportation, and accessible travel options make Europe an attractive destination for digital nomads.
Cities in Europe that are the best for digital nomads
Rank | City | Country |
1 | Lisbon | Portugal |
2 | Madrid | Spain |
3 | Barcelona | Spain |
4 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
5 | Rotterdam | Netherlands |
6 | Paris | France |
7 | Stockholm | Sweden |
8 | Vienna | Austria |
9 | Munich | Germany |
10 | Gothenburg | Sweden |
11 | Athens | Greece |
12 | Rome | Italy |
13 | Berlin | Germany |
14 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
15 | Milan | Italy |
16 | Zurich | Switzerland |
17 | Geneva | Switzerland |
18 | Dusseldorf | Germany |
19 | Valencia | Spain |
20 | Hamburg | Germany |
21 | Thessaloniki | Greece |
22 | Oslo | Norway |
23 | Brussels | Belgium |
Both Lisbon and Thessaloniki are pleasant coastal towns with a relaxed pace of life, making them ideal destinations for visitors who want to experience the temperature of the Mediterranean. Beautiful Vienna, located in Austria, is the city in Europe that has the greatest quality of life score, making it a very attractive location to live and work in. Following closely after are the cities of Zurich, Rotterdam, and Copenhagen.
Focus on the United States of America
Our ranking of the greatest cities in the United States for digital nomads centers on Los Angeles. There is a balmy Mediterranean climate and an abundance of beaches to explore in the City of Angels, which is all about having fun and basking in the sun. It is possible to comfortably participate in meetings and exchange documents from your coworking space in Los Angeles or from a seaside coffee shop since the city offers more than 10,000 wi-fi hotspots and an average broadband speed of 198 megabits per second of internet connection.
When it comes to living, working, and playing while traveling throughout the United States as a digital nomad, other cities in the United States, such as Houston, Chicago, and New York, are already well-known tourist destinations. However, the fact that these cities also offer flexible office space, connectivity, transportation infrastructure, and travel options makes them even more appealing.
The best cities in the United States for digital nomads
Rank | City |
1 | Los Angeles |
2 | Dallas |
3 | Jacksonville |
4 | New York |
5 | San Antonio |
6 | San Diego |
7 | Phoenix |
8 | Austin |
9 | Houston |
10 | San Francisco |
11 | Chicago |
12 | Washington D.C. |
On the list of cities in the United States, Jacksonville, Florida, has the highest quality of life score. Jacksonville, often known as the “Bold New City of the South,” is a city that has a pleasant climate, 22 miles of beaches, and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor sports. Because of this, it has become one of its most appealing locations for workers who work remotely to network, go sightseeing, and take some time off while they are working.