Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Philippines

Chile
Based on our comparison, Davao wins 6 out of 8 categories.La Serena wins 2 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Davao and La Serena, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Davao
$612/mo
Best Internet
La Serena
100 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
La Serena
8/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Davao if budget is your top priority, or La Serena if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Davao and La Serena for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Davao offers a more affordable lifestyle at $612/month compared to La Serena's $874/month.
Internet & Remote Work: La Serena provides faster connectivity at 100 Mbps compared to Davao's 80 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7.1/10, Davao provides a more secure environment than La Serena (6.8/10).
Overall: La Serena's NomadIQ score of 8/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.
Davao is 30% cheaper than La Serena.
Davao has a higher safety score (7.1/10) compared to La Serena (6.8/10).
7.1/10
Davao
6.8/10
La Serena
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. La Serena offers faster internet at 100 Mbps vs 80 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Davao
100 Mbps
La Serena
Based on our analysis, Davao edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 6 of 8 comparison factors.
Davao: Best for budget-conscious expats
La Serena: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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