Side-by-side city decision # Girona vs Xiamen. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link GironaSpain4/6 VS XiamenChina2/6 $1,550Girona monthly budget $950Xiamen monthly budget 360 MbpsGirona internet 210 MbpsXiamen internet Decision summary Girona Girona leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Xiamen Speed Fastest internet Girona Vibe Best nomad vibe Girona Safety Highest safety Xiamen 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 4/6 Budget$1,550 Internet360 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Xiamen](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/xiamen.md) China 2/6 Budget$950 Internet210 Mbps Vibe7/10 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 MetricGironaXiamen Total estimated budget $1,550 $950 1-bed center rent $950 $520 Coworking desk $190 $165 Local meal $15.5 $3.5 Cappuccino $2.1 $3.6 Gym membership $45 $45 Transport budget $40 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricGironaXiamen Internet speed 360 Mbps 210 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricGironaXiamen Safety index 78/100 79/100 Air quality 82/100 72/100 Walkability 9/10 7/10 Female safety 8/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricGironaXiamen Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Mediterranean Humid subtropical monsoon Best time to visit Apr - Jun Oct - Dec 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 [Xiamen](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/xiamen.md) China → ### Strengths * Relaxed coastal setting with beaches and green spaces * Affordable food, public transit, and everyday services * Fast mobile and home broadband coverage * Generally low violent-crime risk * Excellent Fujian and seafood dining * Milder winters than much of northern China ### Trade-offs * Internet access requires a reliable VPN for many global services * English is limited outside international hotels and major attractions * Summer heat, humidity, and typhoon disruption can be intense * China has no dedicated digital nomad visa * International payment cards are not accepted everywhere * Coworking and foreigner-focused community options are limited ### Common visa routes * Tourist L visa * Business M visa * Work permit and Z 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.