Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)
Turkey

Sri Lanka
Based on our comparison, Colombo wins 4 out of 8 categories.Ankara wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Ankara and Colombo, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Colombo
$847/mo
Best Internet
Ankara
80 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Ankara
7.1/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Colombo if budget is your top priority, or Ankara if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Ankara and Colombo for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Colombo is the more budget-friendly option at $847/month versus Ankara's $1,133/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Ankara leads with 80 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Colombo offers 75 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 6.1/10, Ankara provides a more secure environment than Colombo (5.7/10).
Overall: Ankara earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7.1/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Colombo is 25% cheaper than Ankara.
Ankara has a higher safety score (6.1/10) compared to Colombo (5.7/10).
6.1/10
Ankara
5.7/10
Colombo
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Ankara offers faster internet at 80 Mbps vs 75 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Ankara
75 Mbps
Colombo
Based on our analysis, Colombo edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 4 of 8 comparison factors.
Ankara: Best for those prioritizing amenities
Colombo: Best for budget-conscious expats
We use cookies, analytics tools and advertising technologies, including Google Analytics, Meta Pixel and other advertising/analytics cookies, to improve our site, measure performance and personalise your experience. You can accept or decline at any time.