Digital nomads are a demographic that moves around quite often and experiences the best of each location they visit. Often, the priority of digital nomads is acquiring the most affordable accommodation, choosing a destination where the cost of living is not high and best utilizing their remote income and lifestyle.
Many factors go into selecting what destination a digital nomad should stay in or visit. However, one of the top things for digital nomads to consider is the affordability of a place. Remote working travelers who have Europe on their bucket list should check out this new list that reveals the most affordable city in Europe for digital nomads.
The Study That Discovered the Most Affordable City for Digital Nomads
In a recent study, Brother UK determined the cheapest places in Europe to live for remote workers. Brother UK is a global electronics and manufacturing company that operates in 100 countries. With the number of remote workers that travel increasing drastically over the years, the demand for affordable destinations is increasing.
The company analyzed several factors to determine the most affordable city for digital nomads. These factors include the cost of electricity, the average cost of an apartment, and the overall cost of living. Each destination’s safety history and wifi speed were also assessed. The company scored each destination on these factors and rated them from one to 100. Check out the scores for different cities in Europe, according to affordability in the European Remote Worker Index.
The Most Affordable Cities
Europe is not typically a very affordable place by nature, so it can be hard for remote workers to find the best place for them. However, there are cheaper hidden gems that still give travelers access to the most popular cities in Europe (which they can commute to while staying on a budget).
These are the top five affordable cities for digital nomads in Europe. Brother UK broke each destination down by the cost of apartments in or outside the city, internet costs, utility bills, and eating-out costs.
5. Iasi, Romania
Iasi received a score of 65.21 for its affordability for digital nomads. It has one of the lowest costs for internet service. The city is located in northeastern Romania, has welcoming locals, and is considered a cultural capital.
4. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv scored 66.60 in the cheapest European city ratings. This city has the cheapest utility bills out of the top five destinations. It was the 2023 European Capital of Culture and is home to Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited Old Town.
3. Craiova, Romania
Craiova is the second city in Romania to make the list. Its affordability score is 70.60 and it is a southwestern city with a pleasant ambiance. Digital nomads are likely to enjoy the spacious parks and interesting attractions of Craiova.
2. Oradea, Romania
Oradea’s affordability score is 72.93. It is the third city in Romania on the digital nomad destination list, so travelers are likely to have good chances of sticking to their budget there. Oradea is a northwestern city known for its architecture, rich history, nightlife, good restaurants, and thermal spa resorts.
1. Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The number one affordable city for digital nomads in Europe is Tuzla, which received a score of 76.29 out of 100. Tuzla has the cheapest cost for eating out and accommodation costs but has relatively higher costs for internet and utility bills. The northeastern city is the third largest city in the country and showcases the best of the local art, music, and overall Bosnian culture.
