Numbeo

What is Numbeo?

Numbeo is the world's largest crowdsourced database of cost of living, housing prices, crime rates, healthcare quality, and other quality-of-life indicators. Users worldwide submit data about their cities, creating a comprehensive resource for comparing locations.

For digital nomads, Numbeo answers the fundamental question: How much will it cost to live in [city]? Before committing to a new destination, Numbeo helps you understand if it fits your budget.

Why Digital Nomads Use Numbeo

Budget Planning

Every nomad needs to know basic costs:

• What does a one-bedroom apartment cost?
• How much is a meal at a restaurant?
• What are transportation options and prices?
• How do utility costs compare?

Numbeo breaks down these expenses in detail, helping you create realistic budgets before arriving.

City Comparisons

Choosing between Lisbon and Bangkok? Medellin or Mexico City? Numbeo's comparison tool shows how costs differ across categories. See exactly where one city is cheaper and where it is more expensive.

Beyond Just Cost

Numbeo also tracks:

• Safety: Crime indexes and perceived safety ratings
• Healthcare: Quality and cost of medical care
• Pollution: Air quality and environmental factors
• Traffic: Commute times and congestion
• Quality of Life: Overall livability scores

These factors matter as much as cost for long-term stays.

How to Use Numbeo Effectively

Cost of Living Tool

1. Enter your current city
2. Enter your destination city
3. View side-by-side comparisons
4. See purchasing power differences

The tool calculates how your money translates between locations.

Individual City Pages

Each city page shows:

Understanding the Indexes

Numbeo uses several index scores:

• Cost of Living Index: Overall expenses (NYC = 100)
• Rent Index: Housing costs specifically
• Groceries Index: Food shopping costs
• Restaurant Price Index: Dining out costs
• Local Purchasing Power: Salary vs. cost ratio

Higher numbers mean higher costs. Compare indexes for quick assessments.

Numbeo Data Categories

Cost of Living

The most-used feature. Includes detailed breakdowns of:

• Restaurant meals (cheap, mid-range, nice)
• Groceries (specific items with quantities)
• Transportation (monthly passes, taxi rates)
• Utilities (average monthly bills)
• Rent (by apartment size and area)
• Leisure (gym, cinema, entertainment)

Safety and Crime

Crime indexes help assess destination safety:

• Crime level rating
• Safety walking alone (day and night)
• Worry levels for specific crimes
• Change over time

Useful for solo travelers or those with safety concerns.

Quality of Life

Combines multiple factors into overall scores:

• Purchasing power
• Safety level
• Healthcare quality
• Climate comfort
• Cost of living
• Traffic efficiency
• Pollution levels

Helps identify cities that balance cost with livability.

Healthcare

Particularly relevant for nomads:

• Healthcare system satisfaction
• Medical staff quality
• Equipment and technology
• Waiting times
• Cost of care

Important for planning longer stays or if you have health considerations.

Limitations to Understand

Crowdsourced Variability

Data quality depends on contributor accuracy. Issues include:

• Outdated prices: Inflation changes costs faster than updates
• Currency lag: Exchange rates may not reflect current reality
• Tourist vs. local: Some prices reflect tourist areas, not local neighborhoods
• Sample size: Cities with few contributors have less reliable data

Use as a Starting Point

Numbeo works best for:

• Initial research and shortlisting
• Rough budget estimates
• Comparing relative costs between cities
• Understanding general cost levels

It is less reliable for:

• Exact budgeting down to the dollar
• Niche expenses or specific situations
• Very recent cost changes
• Small cities with limited data

Tips for Better Research

Cross-reference sources: Compare Numbeo data with Nomad List, Expatistan, and nomad forums for more complete pictures.

Check contribution dates: Recent entries are more accurate. Old data may reflect very different prices.

Adjust for lifestyle: Numbeo averages may not match your specific needs. If you cook at home, restaurant prices matter less.

Consider neighborhoods: Numbeo city averages blend expensive and affordable areas. Research specific neighborhoods separately.

Update the data: If you notice inaccuracies, contribute corrections. Help future nomads with better information.

Numbeo vs. Alternatives

Building Your Research Process

Step 1: Initial Screening

Use Numbeo's cost of living comparison to quickly screen destinations. Eliminate cities clearly outside your budget.

Step 2: Detailed Cost Review

For promising cities, review individual category breakdowns. Check specific expenses relevant to your lifestyle.

Step 3: Quality Factors

Review safety, healthcare, and quality of life indexes. Cost means nothing if the city does not meet your other needs.

Step 4: Cross-Reference

Check Nomad List for WiFi quality, coworking options, and nomad community feedback. Read recent forum posts and blog articles.

Step 5: Connect with Current Residents

Join city-specific nomad groups on Facebook or Reddit. Ask about current prices and conditions from people living there now.

The Bottom Line

Numbeo is an essential free tool for destination research. Its comprehensive cost data helps nomads estimate budgets and compare cities worldwide. The safety and quality-of-life data adds valuable context beyond just expenses.

Use Numbeo early in your research process to understand relative costs. Cross-reference with other sources and current residents for accuracy. Remember that crowdsourced data has limitations, but starting with Numbeo beats starting with nothing.

Bookmark it, learn to use it well, and make it part of your standard research toolkit for every new destination.