Why Digital Nomads Choose Santiago
Santiago ranks #190 out of 366 cities in our global digital nomad index, scoring 61/100 overall. It's a strong contender for remote workers who value affordability and cultural richness.
Cost of Living in Santiago
Santiago is a budget-friendly destination for digital nomads. A comfortable monthly budget including city centre rent, mid-range dining, and public transport comes to approximately $1,079 — that's 9% below the global average of $1,180.
Rent is the biggest expense: a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $761/month, while moving outside the centre drops that to $272. Eating out is remarkably cheap — a cheap meal costs $6 and a cappuccino runs $2. Budget-conscious nomads who cook at home and live outside the centre can manage on as little as $672/month.
See the full cost breakdown for Santiago →
Internet and Connectivity
Average internet speed in Santiago is 56 Mbps download and 22 Mbps upload, which is excellent. Reliability scores 5.2/10. This is more than sufficient for video calls, screen sharing, and uploading large files.
The city has 117 coworking spaces with average speeds of 49 Mbps — roughly matching residential connections. Day passes start at $16 and monthly memberships average $175.
Full internet and WiFi guide for Santiago →
Safety and Healthcare
Santiago scores 63/100 for safety (Good), which is below the global average. Exercise standard precautions: avoid poorly-lit areas at night, keep valuables secure, and research neighbourhoods before booking long-term accommodation.
Healthcare quality scores 77/100. Excellent hospitals and private clinics are accessible, with many offering English-speaking staff and modern equipment. Air quality scores 59/100 and walkability 44/100.
Full safety and health guide for Santiago →
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Santiago has a mild Mediterranean-style, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Summers are warm and dry (20-35°C), winters cool and wet (5-15°C). Many nomads visit during spring or early autumn when temperatures are comfortable and tourist crowds have thinned.
Visa Information for Chile
Chile offers the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers. It allows stays of 1 year (renewable), costs $100 application fee, and requires a minimum income of $1,500/month. Tax note: No Chilean tax on foreign income for first 3 years
Full Chile digital nomad visa guide →
How Santiago Compares
Compared to the global average, Santiago is 9% cheaper, has slower internet (56 vs 67 Mbps average), and is less safe (63 vs 67 average).
Looking for something cheaper? Consider <a href="/cities/dhaka/">Dhaka</a> ($415/mo), <a href="/cities/port-vila/">Port Vila</a> ($421/mo), <a href="/cities/hanoi/">Hanoi</a> ($442/mo).
Need faster internet? Check out <a href="/cities/rotterdam/">Rotterdam</a> (249 Mbps), <a href="/cities/sapporo/">Sapporo</a> (248 Mbps), <a href="/cities/busan/">Busan</a> (240 Mbps).