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

Laos
Based on our comparison, Vientiane wins 5 out of 8 categories.Lisbon wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Lisbon and Vientiane, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Vientiane
$993/mo
Best Internet
Lisbon
100 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Lisbon
7/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Vientiane if budget is your top priority, or Lisbon if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Lisbon and Vientiane for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Vientiane is the more budget-friendly option at $993/month versus Lisbon's $2,012/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Lisbon leads with 100 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Vientiane offers 50 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 6.8/10, Vientiane offers better security than Lisbon (6.7/10).
Overall: Lisbon earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Vientiane is 51% cheaper than Lisbon.
Vientiane has a higher safety score (6.8/10) compared to Lisbon (6.7/10).
6.7/10
Lisbon
6.8/10
Vientiane
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Lisbon offers faster internet at 100 Mbps vs 50 Mbps.
100 Mbps
Lisbon
50 Mbps
Vientiane
Based on our analysis, Vientiane edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Lisbon: Best for those prioritizing amenities
Vientiane: Best for budget-conscious expats
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