Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

Unlock £5k+ benefits.

Affiliate disclosure

Kobe vs Shanghai – Digital Nomad Guide

Trying to decide between Kobe, Japan and Shanghai, China? Here's a detailed comparison to help digital nomads and remote workers make an informed choice.

💰 Cost of Living

Kobe has a monthly cost of $3,390, which is 1.7% lower than Shanghai's $3,450.

🌐 Internet Infrastructure

For internet speeds, Kobe offers 85 Mbps, while Shanghai provides 100 Mbps making Shanghai's connection 17.6% faster .

☀️ Current Weather

The weather in Kobe is currently 21°C 🌤️, while Shanghai is experiencing 22°C 🌧️.

🛡️ Safety Comparison

Kobe has a safety score of 96.0 , while Shanghai scores 78.0 .

Costs
$3,390
per month
Internet
85
Mbps
Weather
21° 🌤️
High today
Costs
$3,450
per month
Internet
100
Mbps
Weather
22° 🌧️
High today
Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Global transfers for digital nomads.

Affiliate disclosure

Overall Kobe wins

62.0
Overall Score
57.0

Kobe is 5% better

Quality of Life Kobe wins

96.0
Safety
78.0

Kobe is 18% better

90.0
Healthcare
70.0

Kobe is 20% better

Cost

32.0
Cost of Living
31.0

Climate Kobe wins

80.0
Air Quality
29.0

Kobe is 51% better

Infrastructure Kobe wins

91.0
Internet Speed
69.0

Kobe is 22% better

Social Shanghai wins

52.0
Nightlife
74.0

Shanghai is 22% better

88.0
Culture
81.0

Kobe is 7% better

85.0
Food Scene
85.0

Total Cost of Living Comparison

Category Kobe Shanghai Difference
Monthly Total $3,390 $3,450 -1.7%
Daily Average $113 $115 per day

Housing

Item Kobe Shanghai Difference
Apartment (1 bedroom) $750.00 per month $850.00 per month -11.8%

Daily Life

Item Kobe Shanghai Difference
Coffee $3.50 per cup $2.50 per cup +40.0%

Transportation

Item Kobe Shanghai Difference

Utilities

Item Kobe Shanghai Difference
Genki Logo
Genki offers international health insurance tailored for digital nomads, expats, and long-term travelers, providing worldwide coverage and flexibility.

Health insurance for travelers.

Affiliate disclosure

Final Verdict: Kobe vs Shanghai

Kobe ranks as the better digital nomad destination, scoring 5.0% higher than Shanghai overall.

💰 Cost Analysis

  • Monthly Budget: $3,390 vs $3,450
  • Daily Expenses: $113 vs $115
  • Kobe is 1.7% cheaper for digital nomads

🌐 Infrastructure

  • Internet Speed: Shanghai leads with 15% faster connection
  • Public Transport: Shanghai has better public transportation

🎯 Key Advantages

Kobe Wins In:
  • Overall Score (5% better)
  • Safety (18% better)
  • Healthcare (20% better)
  • Air Quality (51% better)
  • Internet Speed (22% better)
  • Culture (7% better)
Shanghai Wins In:
  • Nightlife (22% better)

💡 Final Recommendation

Choose Kobe if you prioritize better quality of life metrics and Overall Score. However, Shanghai might be preferable if Overall Score is your top priority. Both cities offer unique advantages for digital nomads, with distinct trade-offs in cost of living, infrastructure, and lifestyle options.

GetStake Logo
GetStake allows you to invest in fractional real estate in Dubai's premium properties, with investments starting from just $500.

Fractional property investing.

Affiliate disclosure

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.