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

Thailand
Based on our comparison, Ankara wins 5 out of 8 categories.Koh Samui wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Ankara and Koh Samui, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Ankara
$1,133/mo
Best Internet
Koh Samui
95 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Koh Samui
7.5/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Ankara if budget is your top priority, or Koh Samui if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Ankara and Koh Samui for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Ankara offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,133/month compared to Koh Samui's $1,325/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Koh Samui provides faster connectivity at 95 Mbps compared to Ankara's 80 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7.4/10, Koh Samui offers better security than Ankara (6.1/10).
Overall: Koh Samui's NomadIQ score of 7.5/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.
Ankara is 14% cheaper than Koh Samui.
Koh Samui has a higher safety score (7.4/10) compared to Ankara (6.1/10).
6.1/10
Ankara
7.4/10
Koh Samui
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Koh Samui offers faster internet at 95 Mbps vs 80 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Ankara
95 Mbps
Koh Samui
Based on our analysis, Ankara edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Ankara: Best for budget-conscious expats
Koh Samui: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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