Forum
Analytics
Davao City, Philippines 🇵🇭
#583
,
Nomad Score:
70%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to Western cities; affordable food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
83%
Weight: 80
Affordable rental options ranging from budget apartments to mid-range condos; prices rising but still reasonable.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89%
Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer cheap and fresh produce; imported goods are pricier but available.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Jeepneys, tricycles, and affordable ride-hailing services make transport very cheap.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
75%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including cinemas, bars, and local events; nightlife is modest.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
78%
Weight: 10
Gyms and fitness centers are reasonably priced, with some modern facilities available.
💱 Currency Stability
64%
Weight: 30
Philippine Peso experiences moderate fluctuations but generally stable.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
69%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-40 Mbps; fiber available in city center but occasional outages occur.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but limited compared to major hubs; growing community.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Still emerging as a digital nomad destination; less crowded than Manila or Cebu.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and activate SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and leisure activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
67%
Weight: 15
Moderate pollution levels; some areas affected by traffic and waste management issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
62%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies; public areas can be littered but improving.
🗨️ Language Barrier
85%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken and understood, easing communication for foreigners.
💨 Air Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates; occasional haze and pollution from traffic and industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
71%
Weight: 25
Good for families with access to schools, parks, and healthcare.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Good private hospitals and clinics available; public healthcare less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
81%
Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
72%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is decent, especially in private sector.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
78%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from June to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of typhoons and occasional earthquakes; generally manageable with preparedness.
🏞️ Green Spaces
65%
Weight: 10
Several parks and natural areas, but urban green space is limited.
❄️ Air Conditioning
87%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations, offices, and public places.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
54%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in busy areas due to traffic and urban activity.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, indigenous influences, and diverse communities.
🌃 Nightlife
63%
Weight: 15
Modest nightlife with bars and clubs; less vibrant than larger Philippine cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
84%
Weight: 15
Close to beaches, mountains, and natural parks; excellent for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
67%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Filipino and local dialects; English widely used.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Variety of cultural tours, eco-adventures, and local experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
60%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; malls and cinemas available.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
86%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful local cuisine with many affordable dining options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; some fitness centers offer classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
71%
Weight: 15
Gyms and sports facilities available but not widespread.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of health-conscious eateries and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
UTC+8 timezone convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European remote work.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
59%
Weight: 25
Growing but still limited professional and digital nomad networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
62%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance community; increasing online platforms usage.
🏢 Coworking Quality
63%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack some amenities found in bigger hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but still nascent compared to Manila or Cebu.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Mobile wallets and digital payments growing rapidly; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
71%
Weight: 30
Francisco Bangoy International Airport offers domestic and some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
No formal metro system; reliance on jeepneys and tricycles; limited coverage.
🚶 Walkability
59%
Weight: 20
City center moderately walkable; sidewalks inconsistent.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
73%
Weight: 15
Grab and other ride-hailing apps widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
42%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; not very bike-friendly.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good bus and ferry connections to other parts of Mindanao and nearby islands.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
61%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available but limited; bike rentals less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G expanding but patchy.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPN services generally reliable with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
69%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur but generally stable supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited free public WiFi; mostly available in malls and cafes.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
76%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival and visa extensions are straightforward for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
58%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some political sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Stable overall but Mindanao has had historical conflicts; Davao is relatively peaceful.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
67%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
63%
Weight: 10
Process improving but still bureaucratic and time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
30%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
64%
Weight: 50
Friendly locals and growing infrastructure but lacks some amenities of bigger hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
48%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community still small and informal.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
56%
Weight: 20
Some Facebook groups and forums but limited compared to major cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
68%
Weight: 100
Generally safe in city center; standard precautions advised especially at night.
♀️ Female Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms conservative but welcoming.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant and hospitable to foreigners.