Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Send money abroad cheaper than banks.

Affiliate disclosure

Dharamshala, India 🇮🇳
#107 ,

Nomad Score: 63%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Very affordable living costs compared to global standards, especially for food and daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79% Weight: 80
Reasonably priced guesthouses and apartments, though options are limited and can vary with season.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer inexpensive fresh produce and meals; imported goods are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91% Weight: 20
Cheap local transport options like buses and shared taxis; auto-rickshaws are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
73% Weight: 15
Low-cost entertainment options including cultural events and nature activities; limited nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62% Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are fewer and less modern; memberships are affordable but quality varies.
💱 Currency Stability
54% Weight: 30
Indian Rupee experiences moderate fluctuations; some inflation concerns but generally stable.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
67% Weight: 100
Decent broadband and 4G coverage; occasional slowdowns and outages in peak times.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41% Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces; mostly small setups with basic amenities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, though speeds can be inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but seating and power outlets can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50% Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among spiritual seekers than mainstream nomads.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
76% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and wellness activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
63% Weight: 15
Mountain air is generally clean but occasional pollution from nearby areas affects quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
48% Weight: 10
Public areas can be untidy; sanitation standards vary widely.
🗨️ Language Barrier
69% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist and nomad circles; local languages predominate elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
60% Weight: 15
Generally good due to elevation, but seasonal burning and traffic cause dips.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
55% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; serious cases require travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84% Weight: 25
Medical services are inexpensive compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
57% Weight: 20
Limited advanced facilities locally; adequate for minor issues.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
72% Weight: 80
Mild summers and cold winters; pleasant spring and autumn; monsoon season can be wet.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
61% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of landslides and earthquakes due to Himalayan location.
🏞️ Green Spaces
94% Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and forested areas surrounding the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
38% Weight: 15
Limited use due to cooler climate; many accommodations lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with cool winters and warm summers; monsoon season present.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
89% Weight: 20
Rich Tibetan Buddhist culture with vibrant local traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
32% Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly quiet evenings with few bars or clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97% Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, trekking, and nature exploration in the Himalayas.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
56% Weight: 10
Some opportunities to learn Tibetan and Hindi; limited formal language schools.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83% Weight: 10
Many cultural tours, meditation retreats, and nature excursions available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45% Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment options; mostly cafes and small cultural centers.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
78% Weight: 25
Good variety of local Tibetan and Indian cuisine; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
79% Weight: 10
Several well-regarded yoga and meditation centers catering to visitors.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
59% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options; limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
74% Weight: 15
Plenty of vegetarian and organic food choices; fresh produce widely available.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
63% Weight: 20
UTC+5:30; convenient for Asia and Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
42% Weight: 25
Limited professional networking; more informal and spiritual community connections.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
37% Weight: 20
Local job market for remote work is minimal; nomads rely on global clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support infrastructure.
🏢 Coworking Quality
39% Weight: 30
Basic facilities with minimal amenities; not comparable to major cities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
21% Weight: 15
Very limited startup activity; focus is more on tourism and wellness.
💳 Local Payment Services
64% Weight: 10
Mobile payments and UPI widely used; cash still common in smaller shops.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
33% Weight: 15
Low local adoption; some interest among younger population but limited infrastructure.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
45% Weight: 30
Nearest airport is Kangra Airport (~20 km), limited flights; major airports are farther away.
🚇 Public Transit
58% Weight: 20
Limited bus services; no metro; reliance on taxis and shared vehicles.
🚶 Walkability
69% Weight: 20
Compact town center is walkable; hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
51% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Ola and Uber available but less prevalent than in big cities.
🚲 Cycling
47% Weight: 10
Hilly terrain limits cycling; some locals use bikes but not widespread.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60% Weight: 15
Buses and taxis available for nearby cities; train access requires travel to distant stations.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
63% Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals available but limited in number and infrastructure.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town; patchy in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; occasional government restrictions possible.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
62% Weight: 15
Occasional outages during monsoon and winter; generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
49% Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and some guesthouses.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
57% Weight: 40
India offers e-Visas but application process can be bureaucratic and slow.
📊 Tax Friendliness
41% Weight: 30
Complex tax system; no special benefits for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60% Weight: 15
Generally allowed but some restrictions and sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
65% Weight: 20
Relatively stable locally; occasional regional tensions in wider area.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
53% Weight: 15
Lengthy documentation and KYC process; possible for foreigners but cumbersome.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
47% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming; not streamlined for small foreign entrepreneurs.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
54% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly due to affordability and culture but lacks infrastructure.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
36% Weight: 25
Few organized events; mostly informal gatherings.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50% Weight: 20
Small but growing online groups focused on Dharamshala.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
73% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
61% Weight: 50
Relatively safe for women travelers; cultural conservatism requires caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant, especially towards tourists and foreigners; occasional cultural misunderstandings.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.