[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) Side-by-side city decision # Cascais vs Astana. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link CascaisPortugal5 VS AstanaKazakhstan1 $2,685Cascais monthly budget $935Astana monthly budget 260 MbpsCascais internet 95 MbpsAstana internet Decision summary Cascais Cascais leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Astana Speed Fastest internet Cascais Vibe Best nomad vibe Cascais Safety Highest safety Cascais Air Cleanest air Cascais Walk Most walkable Cascais Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal 5/6 Budget$2,685 Internet260 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan 1/6 Budget$935 Internet95 Mbps Vibe6/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $2,685 $935 1-bed center rent $1,850 $500 Coworking desk $260 $145 Local meal $15.5 $7.2 Cappuccino $2.4 $2.4 Gym membership $65 $38 Transport budget $55 $25 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 260 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 78/100 66/100 Air quality 86/100 70/100 Walkability 8/10 6/10 Female safety 8/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 3/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Mediterranean Extreme continental steppe Best time to visit Apr - Oct May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal → ### Strengths * Mild Atlantic climate with many sunny days * Very safe streets and beaches * Excellent access to Lisbon and its airport * Strong fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Walkable center with surf, coastal trails, and beaches * International and English-friendly remote-work community ### Trade-offs * Rents are high for Portugal, especially near the coast * Summer crowds and traffic can be intense * Long-term rentals are competitive and often furnished * Atlantic water remains cool even in summer * Late-night entertainment is quieter than Lisbon * Some local services move slowly and require Portuguese paperwork ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free entry: up to 90 days in any 180-day period * Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: residence or temporary-stay route for qualifying remote workers * D7 Passive Income Visa: residence route for applicants with qualifying recurring income [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan → ### Strengths * Modern skyline and generally reliable urban infrastructure * Affordable compared with major European capitals * Fast home fiber and widespread 4G and 5G coverage * Very cashless-friendly banks, cafés, and ride-hailing apps * Generally safe streets and low violent-crime risk * Good access to Kazakh culture, museums, and steppe travel ### Trade-offs * Winter cold and wind can be exceptionally severe * English is limited outside international hotels and newer cafés * The city is spread out and not fully pedestrian-friendly * Social and nomad communities are smaller than in Almaty * Air quality can decline during the heating season * LGBTQ+ travelers may prefer discretion ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, commonly up to 30 days * Tourist visa or eVisa where eligible * C3 business visa for qualifying business travel Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.