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Nomad Monthly Budget Calculator
Enter the costs of the base you are considering and the annual items you expect. The calculator returns a monthly number, an annual number and the cost of each working day.
Enter every figure in the same currency. Visa fees and flights are annual amounts divided by twelve. The fees themselves are set by the destination and change, so use current figures from the official source.
What belongs in a nomad budget
A budget needs the recurring costs of the base and the costs of maintaining the right to be there. Rent, food, transport, phone, insurance and a workspace are the recurring part; visa fees, visa runs and flights home are the part people forget.
Price the base you would actually choose at the size you need, not a city average. A cheaper neighbourhood with a longer commute and unreliable internet is not cheaper once the working day is priced.
Why annual costs must be in the monthly number
A return flight and a visa renewal do not arrive monthly, but they are as real as rent. Dividing them by twelve turns a lumpy year into a monthly figure you can compare with income.
The cost per working day is the figure to use when comparing two bases with different costs and different numbers of working days. It also exposes a cheap base that consumes the days you need for work.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include savings in the budget?
Treat savings as a fixed line rather than a leftover. Add it to the monthly total and check that the income still covers the result.
How do I budget a variable income?
Use the lower end of your normal range for the income side and keep the cost side at a realistic level. The gap is your buffer.
What if I move between bases?
Run the calculator for each base and compare the cost per working day. Add the cost of the move itself as an annual item.