🌍 Best Countries for Cost of Living (and Expat Friendliness) – 2025

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Why It's Great: Extremely low rent, food, and transportation costs.
• City Highlights: Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are expat favorites.
• Bonus: Great street food, lively culture, growing digital nomad scene.

🇵🇭 Philippines

• Why It's Great: Inexpensive housing, English widely spoken, beautiful islands.
• Best For: Retirees and remote workers seeking warm climate and friendly locals.
• Bonus: Special Retirement Resident Visa (SRRV) is very accessible.

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Why It's Great: Affordable healthcare, housing, and food.
• Expat Hubs: Chiang Mai (cheap & quiet), Bangkok (urban lifestyle).
• Bonus: Strong infrastructure and medical tourism.

🇪🇨 Ecuador

• Why It's Great: Rent, healthcare, and transportation are very affordable.
• Expat Favorites: Cuenca and Loja.
• Bonus: Use of the U.S. dollar; retiree visa available with low income requirement.

🇧🇴 Bolivia

• Why It's Great: One of the cheapest countries in South America.
• Pros: Affordable local goods and rent; less touristy.
• Cons: Healthcare and infrastructure may not match other countries on this list.

🇲🇽 Mexico

• Why It's Great: Affordable living with proximity to the U.S.
• Popular Cities: Mérida, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende.
• Bonus: Great food, culture, and residency pathways.

🇨🇴 Colombia

• Why It's Great: Low rent, inexpensive public services, vibrant urban life.
• Cities to Consider: Medellín and Pereira.
• Bonus: Pensionado visa available for retirees.

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

• Why It's Great: Coastal living for a fraction of the cost of Costa Rica.
• Pros: Peaceful lifestyle, low-cost healthcare.
• Cons: Political instability should be researched.

🇮🇳 India

• Why It's Great: Incredibly low cost of living, especially outside major cities.
• Best For: Long-term travelers, remote workers, and retirees comfortable with culture shock.
• Bonus: Affordable healthcare and delicious food.

🇬🇪 Georgia

• Why It's Great: Visa-free entry for many countries (up to 1 year), low rent and dining costs.
• City to Watch: Tbilisi.
• Bonus: Emerging digital nomad hub with modern amenities.