The 50 Most Desirable Cities for Digital Nomads in the Winter

Workcations – where remote working and vacations mix – are set to be one of 2023’s biggest trends. For many, the word will conjure up images of laptops in a Caribbean beach bar, the reality is far removed from this: digital nomads typically look for destinations where they can easily carry out their work, which means that major cities, with fast internet access and co-working spaces, are usually in, while Barbadian beaches are usually out.

We at MoneyTransfers.com have examined 50 top cities across the world, looking at key attributes including the monthly cost of living and the hours of winter sunshine, to see which are the most desirable for digital nomads this winter!

The research revealed that Switzerland rules the roost, but the good news is you can become a nomad without even leaving the country thanks to the immense diversity of America’s cities! Any expats living abroad and looking to send money to or from the US can therefore enjoy working remotely wherever you are in the world.

Switzerland Rules The Roost

Snowy Switzerland is exactly what we expect from a winter remote working destination: rugged mountains, cafes where you can work while snacking on warm cheese fondue, and some of Europe’s best ski resorts less than an hour away by train. Zurich takes the lead as the best city for digital nomads, a distinction which it owes to its fast internet access and high ranking on the quality of life index. Zurich is also widely known for having an efficient public transport system, which makes it easier for commuters to get around.

While the cost of living in Zurich is amongst the highest in the world, with a single person spending on average $2,132.50 a month in the city, you can experience the delights of Switzerland on a slightly lower budget in its second city – Geneva.

Geneva takes the runner-up position, and while 80% of expats think the $1,852.30 monthly living costs are too high, there is plenty to appeal to digital nomads on a workcation. Geneva’s closest ski resort is less than 68 km away and the city is located on the shores of the largest lake in Western Europe, which means water sports are popular here in the warmer months. Like Zurich, Geneva also has an excellent public transport system and all of Europe’s major cities can be visited with ease on its expansive railway network.

The United States Offers Something For Everyone

With six of the best cities for digital nomads right here in the USA, you don’t even need to leave the country to get in on the trend. Taking third place is New York and we can’t imagine a better time to visit – ice skating on the Rockefeller rink, sales shopping at Bloomingdales and a warming hot chocolate at Serendipity – all built round your typical office day. The internet speed is amongst the fastest in America and the best part is that you don’t even need to change your currency!

Jonathan Merry, CEO of and resident travel expert at MoneyTransfers.com, said he wasn’t surprised to see six American cities placed in the top ten destinations for digital nomads.

“As home to many of the world’s largest technology companies, America is at the forefront of changing the way we work. A reported 87% of workers within the country have been offered the opportunity to work remotely and the majority of digital nomads live in the United States. As such a large and diverse country, travel within the US holds great appeal due to its ease – remote workers don’t need to worry about packing passports, sorting out visas or (in some cases) conflicting time zones”.

Jonathan Merry, travel expert at MoneyTransfers.com

Boston and San Francisco are ranked 4th and 5th respectively. Deutsche Bank recently voted Boston as having the best quality of life in the United States, which is due in part to its excellence in healthcare and its enviable proximity to New England’s nature and green spaces. Boston is not only one of our most historic cities, but it also features some of the top universities in the world.

The first four destinations may all boast the climates that we associate with winter, but if you’re seeking somewhere warm to while away the winter months, you can’t go wrong with San Francisco. Home to Silicon Valley, the Californian city boasts some of the world’s largest tech conglomerates. This means that its cafes and coffee-shops are all set up for remote working, and with an internet speed of 211.1 mbps you’ll be able to work efficiently during the day and network in the evening.

When it comes to networking, you can’t beat our 6th city, Washington DC. As a hub of global power, life here is fast-paced and attracts those with a go-getter attitude. While it can in some ways be an unrewarding city for those setting up a permanent home, due to its high taxes and no representation in congress, none of these drawbacks apply to digital nomads, who can reap the benefits that the city has to offer without having to move there.

San Diego and Houston take 7th and 10th place in our rankings. Sunny San Diego boasts 23 beaches within its city limits, and even in the winter months the temperatures reach around 59°F. On average, San Diego receives 232.67 hours of winter sunshine and if you need another sell: it’s the craft beer capital of America.

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly true of Houston which is home to some of the world’s largest companies and one of America’s biggest shopping malls. The average cost of living is relatively low at $1,326.30 per month, which means you should have no problem treating yourself to a regular dinner out in one of the city’s 11,000 restaurants.

Singapore Has Some of the Highest Temperatures

While the US certainly has a lot to offer digital nomads, if you wanted to use your workcation to see some more of the world, Singapore is a great destination. The city, which ranks 8th on our list, offers some of the highest internet speeds in the world, so you’ll have no trouble keeping in touch with the office.

The monthly cost of living, which averages $1,125.10, is often thought to be expensive for Asia, but in comparison with the United States it is very reasonable, so you should still be able to save some money, and coupled with this dollar is strong against the local currency.

By and far the biggest pull of Singapore is undoubtedly the balmy temperature, which reaches an average of 80.6°F during the winter months. There’s something particularly rewarding about topping up your tan lines while your colleagues are battling with winter ailments at home!

Copenhagen’s Quality of Life is the Best in the World

Ranking 9th, Copenhagen regularly tops the lists of the best cities in the world for its quality of life, low crime rates and commitment to eco-friendly living. The city is proud of its green spaces and there is plenty to see, from the colourful houses of Nyhavn to the Little Mermaid statue.

While the winters may be cold, this is the perfect time to embrace the Danish-concept of hygge, which embodies connection and contentment through cosiness: think woollen sweaters, smørrebrød, cinnamon buns and Christmas markets.

Istanbul Ranks Lowest Due to its Poor Internet Connection

At the other end of the scale, Istanbul comes in bottom position, in large part due the city’s low internet speeds of 44mbps. The city may be wonderful to visit, with its souks and Ottoman architecture, but being able to stay in touch is key for remote workers and many will be put off by the spectre of technology issues. That said, the Turkish Lira is very weak against the dollar, having fallen 32.72% in the past year, so your money will go a very long way.

Dakar takes the penultimate spot. While the city ranks in first place for its low cost of living, which average just $718.60 per month, the 28mbps internet connection is even slower than Istanbul, and Dakar also performs poorly on the quality of life index due to its high pollution levels.

Shanghai, once tremendously popular with overseas workers, recently saw an expat exodus, with many leaving the city due to the country’s restrictive coronavirus rules. A year on, many have failed to return, and with issues such as smog, water pollution, overcrowding and traffic jams to contend with, there are other countries that digital nomads may wish to consider first.

Bangkok is the Sunniest Destination

At 82°F, Bangkok narrowly beats Singapore to be crowned the sunniest city for digital nomads. However, the Thai capital ranks just 47th on our list of desirable cities, because despite its 261.47 hours of monthly sunshine and fast internet speeds, Bangkok ranks low for its quality of life, ranking amongst the worst destinations for safety and security and environment and climate.

Full Ranking

Methodology

The ranking of 50 cities across the world in 2023 is based on the weighting of a series of key metrics that are relevant to the suitability of each city for remote working and living. Those metrics are:

• The speed and performance of the internet: sourced from Speedtest

• The monthly cost of living, cost of rent, and quality of life index: sourced from Numbeo

• The average hours of winter sunshine, and the average winter temperatures: sourced from Wikipedia.

• The strength of the currency: sourced from Google Finance.