Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Turkey

Thailand
Based on our comparison, Fethiye wins 6 out of 8 categories.Koh Samui wins 1 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Fethiye and Koh Samui, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Fethiye
$1,005/mo
Best Internet
Koh Samui
95 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Koh Samui
7.5/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Fethiye if budget is your top priority, or Koh Samui if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Fethiye and Koh Samui for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Fethiye offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,005/month compared to Koh Samui's $1,325/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Koh Samui provides faster connectivity at 95 Mbps compared to Fethiye's 75 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7.8/10, Fethiye provides a more secure environment than Koh Samui (7.4/10).
Overall: Both cities score similarly on our NomadIQ scale at 7.5/10.
Fethiye is 24% cheaper than Koh Samui.
Fethiye has a higher safety score (7.8/10) compared to Koh Samui (7.4/10).
7.8/10
Fethiye
7.4/10
Koh Samui
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Koh Samui offers faster internet at 95 Mbps vs 75 Mbps.
75 Mbps
Fethiye
95 Mbps
Koh Samui
Based on our analysis, Fethiye edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 6 of 8 comparison factors.
Fethiye: Best for budget-conscious expats
Koh Samui: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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