Semporna vs Balabac — Digital Nomad Comparison 2026 — Nomad Watch

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At a glance

At a glance
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Country	Malaysia	Philippines
Nomad score	5.2 / 10	4.2 / 10
Cost of living	$1,291 / mo	$924 / mo
Internet speed	Data unavailable	Data unavailable
Weather now	32° / 25°C	28° / 23°C
Air quality (AQI)	101 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	24 Good
Community votes	0 0	0 0

Climate averages

Yearly averages of monthly climate data

Climate averages
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Average high	29.6°C	29.3°C
Average low	24.8°C	25.1°C
Precipitation	210 mm / mo	270 mm / mo
Sunshine	308 h / mo	288 h / mo
Humidity	86%	84%
Rain days	23.9 / mo	23.7 / mo
Wind speed	12.9 km/h	15.6 km/h

MY Semporna · average high by month

J 29 F 29 M 30 A 30 M 30 J 29 J 30 A 30 S 30 O 30 N 30 D 30

PH Balabac · average high by month

J 28 F 29 M 29 A 30 M 30 J 30 J 30 A 30 S 30 O 29 N 29 D 29

Air quality

Air quality
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
US AQI	101	24
PM2.5	31.5 µg/m³	3.1 µg/m³
PM10	33.2 µg/m³	4.6 µg/m³
Ozone	84 µg/m³	54 µg/m³
UV index	3.9	0

Business & Economy

Scores out of 10

Business & Economy
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Blockchain & Crypto Adoption	2.3	1.6
Local Payment Services	4.5	2.5
Startup Scene	1.9	1.2

Climate & Environment

Scores out of 10

Climate & Environment
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Air Conditioning	6.3	3.8
Green Spaces	4.6	7.7
Natural Disaster Risk	5.9	3.0
Noise Pollution	5.0	7.3
Seasonal Variety	2.3	3.0
Weather	5.2	5.9

Connectivity

Scores out of 10

Connectivity
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Mobile Network Coverage	6.7	3.1
Power Grid Reliability	5.9	2.8
Public WiFi Availability	3.4	1.2
VPN Reliability	7.3	3.2

Cost & Affordability

Scores out of 10

Cost & Affordability
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Accommodation Cost	8.1	8.4
Cost of Living	8.2	7.9
Currency Stability	7.2	6.5
Entertainment Cost	6.9	7.4
Food & Groceries	8.3	7.7
Gym Membership Cost	5.8	1.5
Transportation Cost	8.0	6.4

Culture & Entertainment

Scores out of 10

Culture & Entertainment
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Culture	5.9	4.3
Indoors Fun	2.9	1.9
Language Learning Opportunities	3.5	2.8
Local Experiences & Tours	8.4	6.8
Nightlife	2.9	1.5
Outdoors & Nature	9.6	9.5

Digital Nomad Community

Scores out of 10

Digital Nomad Community
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Nomad Events & Meetups	1.2	0.7
Nomad Friendly	3.0	1.9
Online Community Presence	1.6	1.0

Digital Nomad Essentials

Scores out of 10

Digital Nomad Essentials
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Cafes with WiFi	3.8	0.7
Coworking Spaces Availability	1.5	0.1
Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes	2.5	0.3
Digital Nomad Popularity	2.2	0.7
Internet Speed	5.0	2.5
Local SIM Card Availability	7.2	4.5

Food & Fitness

Scores out of 10

Food & Fitness
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Fitness Facilities	2.7	1.2
Food Scene	6.4	3.2
Healthy Food Options	4.4	2.9
Yoga Studios	1.7	0.9

Healthcare

Scores out of 10

Healthcare
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Healthcare	4.5	2.6
Healthcare Affordability	8.3	7.8
Healthcare Quality	3.7	2.1

Legal & Administrative

Scores out of 10

Legal & Administrative
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Digital Nomad Visa Availability	6.3	1.9
Ease of Business Registration	5.0	2.2
Ease of Opening Bank Account	4.0	2.8
Freedom of Speech	4.8	5.5
Political Stability	6.4	5.4
Tax Friendliness	5.4	4.9
Visa Ease	5.8	5.7

Quality of Life

Scores out of 10

Quality of Life
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Air Quality	7.5	9.1
Cleanliness	5.0	6.4
Environmental Quality	7.4	9.0
Family Friendly	5.3	3.7
Language Barrier	5.6	5.9
Work-Life Balance	6.9	5.7

Safety & Tolerance

Scores out of 10

Safety & Tolerance
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Female Friendly	6.2	5.3
Racial Tolerance	6.9	6.5
Safety	6.0	5.8

Transportation

Scores out of 10

Transportation
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Airport Connectivity	4.2	1.4
Cycling	2.8	2.5
Intercity Travel Options	3.9	1.7
Public Transit	2.1	1.2
Ride-sharing Services	2.4	0.2
Scooter/Bike Rental Availability	2.3	2.3
Walkability	4.8	3.1

Work Environment

Scores out of 10

Work Environment
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Coworking Quality	2.1	0.7
Freelance Ecosystem	2.2	1.7
Networking Opportunities	2.4	1.3
Remote Job Opportunities	2.4	1.9
Time Zone Favorability	7.1	5.8

Clothing

Local prices in US dollars

Clothing
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Jeans	$30 per pair	$9.72 per pair
Summer Dress	$15 per dress	$6.48 per dress
Running Shoes	$62 per pair	$32 per pair

Dining Out

Local prices in US dollars

Dining Out
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Dining Out	$50 per month	$32 per month

Entertainment

Local prices in US dollars

Entertainment
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Cinema Ticket	$2.98 per ticket	$1.62 per ticket

Food & Dining

Local prices in US dollars

Food & Dining
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Coffee	$1.24 per cup	$0.81 per cup
Beer	$1.99 per pint	$0.97 per pint
Meal (Inexpensive)	$1.49 per meal	$0.97 per meal
Meal (Mid-range, 2 people)	$20 per meal	$16 per meal
Fast Food Combo	$3.72 per meal	$2.92 per meal
Apples	$1.99 per kg	$2.92 per kg
Bread	$1.12 per loaf	$0.81 per loaf
Water (1.5L bottle)	$0.37 per bottle	$0.32 per bottle
Milk	$1.61 per liter	$1.62 per liter
Rice	$0.99 per kg	$0.89 per kg
Chicken Fillets	$2.48 per kg	$4.05 per kg
Beef	$6.95 per kg	$6.48 per kg
Wine (Mid-range)	$15 per bottle	$9.72 per bottle

Groceries

Local prices in US dollars

Groceries
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Groceries	$124 per month	$130 per month

Health Insurance

Local prices in US dollars

Health Insurance
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Health Insurance	$25 per month	$8.10 per month

Healthcare

Local prices in US dollars

Healthcare
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Doctor Visit (GP)	$15 per visit	$9.72 per visit
Pharmacy (basic meds)	$3.72 per purchase	$2.43 per purchase

Housing

Local prices in US dollars

Housing
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Housing	$149 per month	$81 per month
Apartment (1 bedroom)	$112 per month	$65 per month
Airbnb (1 month)	$447 per month	$194 per month
Coworking Space	$50 per month	$24 per month
Coliving Space	$199 per month	$130 per month

Internet & Mobile

Local prices in US dollars

Internet & Mobile
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Internet & Mobile	$12 per month	$13 per month

Leisure Activities

Local prices in US dollars

Leisure Activities
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Leisure Activities	$12 per month	$8.10 per month

Personal Care

Local prices in US dollars

Personal Care
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Haircut	$3.72 per visit	$1.30 per visit
Laundry	$2.48 per kg	$1.30 per kg

Services

Local prices in US dollars

Services
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Mobile Plan	$7.45 per month	$4.86 per month
Internet (60 Mbps+)	$25 per month	$24 per month
SIM Card (Tourist, prepaid)	$3.72 one-time	$11 one-time
Gym Membership	$30 per month	$8.10 per month
Tennis Court (Weekend)	$7.45 per hour	$3.24 per hour

Transportation

Local prices in US dollars

Transportation
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Transportation	$25 per month	$8.10 per month
Taxi Start	$1.24 per trip	$0.81 per trip
Taxi per km	$0.62 per km	$0.32 per km
Monthly Transport Pass	$20 per month	$4.86 per month
Ride-hailing (5km)	$2.48 per trip	$1.30 per trip
Gasoline	$0.52 per liter	$0.97 per liter
Scooter Rental	$9.93 per month	$6.48 per month

Utilities

Local prices in US dollars

Utilities
	MY Semporna	PH Balabac
Utilities	$25 per month	$24 per month

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