Best cities
Best Island-Life Cities for Expats
This ranking prioritizes island-life signals and avoids treating anti-island labels as positive matches.
cityregioncost/mointernetverdictscore
01FunchalPortugalGo: safety is a clear strength, nightlife is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,950/mo.☀️ Southern Europe$1,950/mo95 MbpsGO10.002TenerifeSpainGo: weather is a clear strength, walkability is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,950/mo.☀️ Southern Europe$1,950/mo109 MbpsGO10.003Koh PhanganThailandGo: affordability is a clear strength, walkability is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,405/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,405/mo76 MbpsGO9.704PhuketThailandGo: food is a clear strength, walkability is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,595/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,595/mo114 MbpsGO9.705PenangMalaysiaGo: food is a clear strength, nightlife is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,360/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,360/mo89 MbpsGO9.306Koh SamuiThailandGo: safety is a clear strength, walkability is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,615/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,615/mo76 MbpsGO9.307DumaguetePhilippinesMaybe: cost of living is a clear strength, internet is the main watch-out, and the estimate is about $1,150/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,150/mo30 MbpsMAYBE8.908SiargaoPhilippinesMaybe: English friendliness is the main reason to consider it, but internet and our $1,400/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,400/mo25 MbpsMAYBE8.909Koh LantaThailandGo: safety is a clear strength, nightlife is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $1,615/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,615/mo76 MbpsGO8.910HeraklionGreeceGo: safety is a clear strength, nightlife is the main watch-out, and our estimate is about $2,140/mo.☀️ Southern Europe$2,140/mo36 MbpsGO8.911Naha / OkinawaJapanMaybe: Japan meets the tropics — Okinawa's capital with beaches, longevity, and island time. Our estimate: ~$2,650/mo.🏯 East Asia$2,650/mo63 MbpsMAYBE8.912CebuPhilippinesMaybe: Philippines' island hub — affordable tropical base with English and dive culture. Our estimate: ~$1,600/mo.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,600/mo59 MbpsMAYBE8.813ZanzibarTanzaniaMaybe: weather is the main reason to consider it, but internet and our $1,245/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌍 Africa$1,245/mo18 MbpsMAYBE8.714HonoluluUSASkip: beaches, weather, and US infrastructure are outstanding, but $5,100/mo costs plus island isolation make it impractical for most nomads.🗽 North America$5,100/mo125 MbpsSKIP8.515Cape VerdeCape VerdeMaybe: weather is the main reason to consider it, but internet and our $1,565/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌍 Africa$1,565/mo15 MbpsMAYBE8.316UshuaiaArgentinaSkip: extraordinary destination but impractical for remote work — expensive, cold, and isolated.🌎 South America$1,900/mo18 MbpsSKIP8.117MaleMaldivesSkip: extremely dense, expensive by regional standards, and limited practical appeal for remote work.🕌 South Asia$2,600/mo25 MbpsSKIP8.118RhodesGreeceMaybe: safety is the main reason to consider it, but healthcare and our $2,135/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.☀️ Southern Europe$2,135/mo42 MbpsMAYBE7.919Koh TaoThailandMaybe: affordability is the main reason to consider it, but healthcare and our $1,615/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,615/mo45 MbpsMAYBE7.720Phu QuocVietnamMaybe: safety is the main reason to consider it, but walkability and our $1,355/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,355/mo45 MbpsMAYBE7.521JejuSouth KoreaMaybe: safety is the main reason to consider it, but English friendliness and our $2,605/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🏯 East Asia$2,605/mo64 MbpsMAYBE7.422RoatanHondurasMaybe: weather is the main reason to consider it, but walkability and our $1,445/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌮 Central America$1,445/mo20 MbpsMAYBE7.123LangkawiMalaysiaMaybe: safety is the main reason to consider it, but walkability and our $1,615/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌴 Southeast Asia$1,615/mo67 MbpsMAYBE7.024Ambergris CayeBelizeMaybe: English friendliness is the main reason to consider it, but internet and our $2,445/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌮 Central America$2,445/mo18 MbpsMAYBE7.025Bocas del ToroPanamaMaybe: affordability is the main reason to consider it, but healthcare and our $2,180/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌮 Central America$2,180/mo54 MbpsMAYBE6.126Caye CaulkerBelizeMaybe: English friendliness is the main reason to consider it, but healthcare and our $2,440/mo estimate make it profile-dependent.🌮 Central America$2,440/mo14 MbpsMAYBE6.127UtilaHondurasSkip because the strongest upside (affordability) does not offset the main trade-off: healthcare.🌮 Central America$1,455/mo16 MbpsSKIP5.5