Daegu, South Korea 🇰🇷
#1641
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Seoul, cheaper than many Western cities but higher than smaller Korean towns.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Affordable options available, especially in shared housing and smaller apartments, but prices rising due to urban growth.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Local markets and Korean cuisine are affordable; imported goods can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and inexpensive, with extensive bus and subway networks.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
64%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for movies, bars, and cultural events; nightlife is affordable but not as cheap as smaller cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost moderately; some premium gyms are pricier.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low volatility, backed by a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
97%
Weight: 100
One of the fastest and most reliable internet infrastructures globally, with widespread fiber-optic coverage.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces, especially in central Daegu, but fewer than Seoul or Busan.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
88%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable seating, popular among students and freelancers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and quiet environments.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42%
Weight: 100
Daegu is less known internationally among digital nomads compared to Seoul or Busan.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
65%
Weight: 30
Korean work culture is intense, but Daegu offers a slower pace than Seoul, improving balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
51%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; some industrial areas affect air and water quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
80%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
37%
Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency among locals; Korean language skills are important.
💨 Air Quality
45%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be an issue, especially in winter due to heating and industrial emissions.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
86%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with modern hospitals and well-trained staff.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance and government subsidies.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to specialists and emergency care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
54%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are pleasant but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
78%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and minor earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
69%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nearby mountains offer outdoor recreation opportunities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Most modern buildings and public transport are equipped with air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with noticeable changes in temperature and foliage.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
80%
Weight: 20
Rich traditional and modern Korean culture with festivals, museums, and historic sites.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars and clubs, but less vibrant than Seoul or Busan.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
74%
Weight: 15
Access to hiking trails, mountains, and rivers within and around the city.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Many language institutes and cultural centers offer Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Good availability of cultural tours, traditional markets, and local festivals.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural venues provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
83%
Weight: 25
Diverse Korean cuisine with many local specialties and street food options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59%
Weight: 10
Limited but growing number of yoga and wellness centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Availability of fresh vegetables, seafood, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
76%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 time zone is favorable for Asia-Pacific digital nomads but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Smaller expat and startup community limits networking compared to Seoul.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is emerging but still underdeveloped.
🏢 Coworking Quality
67%
Weight: 30
Good facilities with modern amenities, though fewer options than major hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
52%
Weight: 15
Growing but small startup ecosystem compared to Seoul and Busan.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of mobile payments and credit cards; some limitations for foreigners.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption, with some regulatory restrictions.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
63%
Weight: 30
Daegu International Airport offers regional flights; major international connections require transfer.
🚇 Public Transit
81%
Weight: 20
Efficient subway and bus systems with extensive coverage.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
57%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of international ride-sharing apps; local taxis are common.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental services, but cycling infrastructure is limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
84%
Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses connect Daegu efficiently to other major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
49%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter and bike-sharing services compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and 5G coverage citywide.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well, though some restrictions exist on certain platforms.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
93%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
76%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes, libraries, and public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
41%
Weight: 40
Standard tourist visas available; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; no special incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech with some limitations on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
87%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Requires residence status and Korean ID; challenging for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is bureaucratic but manageable with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
53%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community compared to top nomad cities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
38%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence and resources for nomads in Daegu.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
89%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe urban environment.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful, though cultural norms may require caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners may experience occasional social challenges.