NomadBurn

Planning methodology

How NomadBurn builds cost estimates

NomadBurn is a planning calculator, not a live price feed. The city defaults are deliberately conservative rough estimates so you can compare runway scenarios before replacing every number with quotes from your own housing search, tax situation, and travel plan.

What the city defaults include

Each city estimate starts with a monthly base living cost, then adds one accommodation style, coworking or cafe work sessions, fixed costs, and a travel or visa buffer. The calculator then adjusts income for tax reserve and payment loss before estimating monthly burn, runway, and break-even income.

Sample setup Base living cost + housing + coworking or cafe work sessions + fixed costs + travel or visa buffer.

Source categories we check

The numbers are editorial planning assumptions informed by public cost-of-living databases, monthly housing listings, hostel and short-stay marketplaces, coworking day-pass references, and recent nomad community discussions. Because these sources move quickly and can disagree, NomadBurn rounds the inputs into simple monthly planning defaults instead of pretending a single live quote represents the whole city.

Numbeo cost-of-living data Nomad List city benchmarks Airbnb monthly stay listings Hostelworld budget accommodation Coworker space references

How to replace the defaults

  1. Find three realistic monthly housing options in the neighborhood where you would work.
  2. Use your actual post-tax income, or add a tax reserve if income is not already taxed.
  3. Add fixed costs that follow you abroad: insurance, software, subscriptions, debt, storage, and phone plans.
  4. Estimate payment friction: card fees, transfer fees, currency conversion, and platform withdrawal loss.
  5. Add a travel buffer for visas, flights, border runs, and emergency location changes.

Methodology FAQ

Why are the estimates rounded?

Rounded estimates are more honest for early planning. A precise-looking number can be worse than a range when housing seasonality, neighborhood choice, and lifestyle are the real drivers.

How often should I update my plan?

Recheck rent before booking, then revisit the calculator every month or whenever your income, visa situation, or base city changes.

Can I use NomadBurn as financial advice?

No. NomadBurn is educational planning software. Use it to structure questions and scenarios, then verify important decisions with qualified tax, legal, financial, or immigration help.