From a cost perspective, which is more suitable for digital nomads: Chiang Mai or Tokyo?

From a cost perspective, Chiang Mai is significantly more affordable for digital nomads than Tokyo.

First, let's talk about food and accommodation – Chiang Mai is genuinely cheap. You can find a comfortable apartment for around 3,000 to 5,000 RMB per month, and even cheaper if you opt for something simpler. Tokyo, on the other hand, is expensive. A similar apartment in a comparable area would cost at least 8,000 to 10,000 RMB or more, and prices can easily double if you move closer to the city center.

Eating out is also much cheaper; a meal or two of street Thai food in Chiang Mai can be had for ten to twenty RMB, and cooking yourself saves even more. In Tokyo, a casual bowl of ramen can easily cost fifty to sixty RMB, and even buying groceries to cook isn't cheap. The difference in daily expenses is substantial.

Internet and transportation are also cheaper in Chiang Mai. Internet access is widely available, and many cafes offer free Wi-Fi where you can work all day. While Tokyo also has convenient internet, renting an office or getting long-term high-speed internet can be significantly more expensive.

Of course, Tokyo has its advantages, such as incredibly convenient transportation, excellent public safety, and a high quality of life. However, these benefits often come with a hefty price tag. If you're earning money through remote work and want to save some cash and live a more relaxed life, Chiang Mai is clearly the more suitable choice.

To put it simply, with the same income, you can live quite comfortably in Chiang Mai, whereas in Tokyo, it might just be enough to get by. Therefore, purely from a cost perspective, Chiang Mai is the more economical option.