Side-by-side city decision # Girona vs Shantou. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link GironaSpain5/6 VS ShantouChina1/6 $1,550Girona monthly budget $668Shantou monthly budget 360 MbpsGirona internet 180 MbpsShantou internet Decision summary Girona Girona leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Shantou Speed Fastest internet Girona Vibe Best nomad vibe Girona Safety Highest safety Girona Air Cleanest air Girona Walk Most walkable Girona Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Girona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/girona.md) Spain 5/6 Budget$1,550 Internet360 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) China 1/6 Budget$668 Internet180 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 MetricGironaShantou Total estimated budget $1,550 $668 1-bed center rent $950 $290 Coworking desk $190 $115 Local meal $15.5 $3.1 Cappuccino $2.1 $3.2 Gym membership $45 $32 Transport budget $40 $28 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricGironaShantou Internet speed 360 Mbps 180 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricGironaShantou Safety index 78/100 76/100 Air quality 82/100 68/100 Walkability 9/10 6/10 Female safety 8/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricGironaShantou Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Mediterranean Humid subtropical monsoon Best time to visit Apr - Jun Oct - Mar 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. [Girona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/girona.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Beautiful, highly walkable historic center * Generally safe and relaxed daily life * Fast fiber internet is widely available * Excellent Catalan food and produce * Easy rail access to Barcelona and France * Close to the Costa Brava and Pyrenees ### Trade-offs * Long-term rentals are competitive and rising * Smaller nomad scene than Barcelona * English is less common outside tourism and younger circles * Winters can feel damp and quiet * Girona Airport has limited year-round routes * Some services close for afternoon breaks or holidays ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa waiver or visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) China → ### Strengths * Very affordable rent and everyday dining * Outstanding Teochew food culture * Fast, inexpensive mobile payments and delivery * Generally low violent-crime risk * Warm winters and nearby coastal scenery * Authentic local atmosphere away from major expat hubs ### Trade-offs * English is rarely spoken outside major hotels * No dedicated digital-nomad visa * International internet services are restricted * Hot, humid summers and typhoon exposure * Limited coworking and expat networking options * Tap water should not be consumed untreated ### Common visa routes * China L tourist visa * China M business visa * China Z work visa 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.