Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

El Salvador

Laos
Based on our comparison, El Tunco wins 5 out of 8 categories.Vientiane wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between El Tunco and Vientiane, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Vientiane
$993/mo
Best Internet
El Tunco
60 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
El Tunco
6.7/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Vientiane if budget is your top priority, or El Tunco if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing El Tunco and Vientiane for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Vientiane is the more budget-friendly option at $993/month versus El Tunco's $1,030/month.
Internet & Remote Work: El Tunco leads with 60 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Vientiane offers 50 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7/10, El Tunco provides a more secure environment than Vientiane (6.8/10).
Overall: El Tunco earns a higher NomadIQ score of 6.7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Vientiane is 4% cheaper than El Tunco.
El Tunco has a higher safety score (7/10) compared to Vientiane (6.8/10).
7/10
El Tunco
6.8/10
Vientiane
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. El Tunco offers faster internet at 60 Mbps vs 50 Mbps.
60 Mbps
El Tunco
50 Mbps
Vientiane
Based on our analysis, El Tunco edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
El Tunco: Best for those prioritizing amenities
Vientiane: Best for budget-conscious expats
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