Remote work has reshaped how and where people choose to live, and a fresh global ranking of the best cities for digital nomads shows a clear tilt towards East Asia. Japan, in particular, stands out with three cities in the top ten, while Spain is the only European country to make the cut, with both Barcelona and Madrid earning places.
The study, conducted by the independent VPN review platform vpn.jpn.com, assessed 104 major cities worldwide. It looked beyond basic connectivity, weighing factors such as the density of coworking spaces, nightlife and cultural venues, national internet speeds, local price levels, and the number of comfortable working days—defined as days with average temperatures between 15°C and 28°C and less than 5mm of rain.
Seoul tops the list with an overall score of 73.60 out of 100. The South Korean capital offers 59.67 workspaces per square kilometre, 172.94 going-out options, and 10.74 cultural venues. It also records the fastest average download speed among the top ten at 69.27 Mbps, while prices sit roughly 36% below a US baseline.
Tokyo follows closely with a score of 72.61. The Japanese capital has slightly fewer workspaces per square kilometre than Seoul (56.43) and is a bit pricier, but it compensates with an abundance of leisure options: 395.12 going-out venues per square kilometre—more than double Seoul's figure—and 12.71 cultural venues. Hanoi takes third place with 71.86, thanks to the highest concentration of workspaces in the top ten (96.88 per square kilometre) and prices nearly 71% lower than the US benchmark, though its national download speed lags at just 16.12 Mbps.
Taipei ranks fourth (70.98), offering 48.24 workspaces per square kilometre and a vibrant going-out scene, while Osaka completes the top five with a score of 70.15. The Japanese city boasts 350.27 going-out options per square kilometre, second only to Tokyo among the leading destinations.
Spain’s European presence
Barcelona takes sixth place with 68.11, making it the highest-ranking European city. Although it has fewer workspaces than its Asian counterparts, Spain’s national upload speed is the fastest among the top 15 at 36.71 Mbps. Barcelona also offers 104.83 going-out options and 8.97 cultural venues per square kilometre, along with 164 comfortable working days.
Madrid follows in seventh with 66.67. Both Spanish cities share the same national internet and price-level scores, so the difference comes down to local attributes: Barcelona edges ahead with slightly more workspaces, more going-out options, and more cultural venues, as well as 43 additional comfortable working days.
São Paulo takes eighth place with 66.67, standing out for its 252 comfortable working days—the highest in the top ten—and prices about 53% below the US benchmark. Nagoya secures ninth with 64.97, benefiting from Japan’s robust internet infrastructure, though its 83 comfortable working days are the fewest among the top 15. Ho Chi Minh City rounds out the top ten with 64.28, giving Vietnam two cities in the leading group.
The findings underscore a broader trend: for many remote workers, the ideal city combines reliable connectivity, affordable living, and a lively cultural scene. While Asia dominates the upper echelons, Spain’s dual entry highlights its enduring appeal as a European hub for digital nomads—a point reinforced by Europe’s own remote work destinations. As the continent debates the future of work, cities like Barcelona and Madrid are positioning themselves as viable alternatives to the traditional tech hubs.
