Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Philippines

Uruguay
Based on our comparison, Davao wins 7 out of 8 categories.Maldonado wins 1 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Davao and Maldonado, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Davao
$612/mo
Best Internet
Maldonado
100 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Davao
7.8/10
Our Recommendation: Davao is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.
When comparing Davao and Maldonado for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Davao offers a more affordable lifestyle at $612/month compared to Maldonado's $901/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Maldonado 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 Maldonado (5.7/10).
Overall: Davao earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7.8/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Davao is 32% cheaper than Maldonado.
Davao has a higher safety score (7.1/10) compared to Maldonado (5.7/10).
7.1/10
Davao
5.7/10
Maldonado
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Maldonado offers faster internet at 100 Mbps vs 80 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Davao
100 Mbps
Maldonado
Based on our analysis, Davao edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 7 of 8 comparison factors.
Davao: Best for budget-conscious expats
Maldonado: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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