Are you wondering what is the cheapest country to live in? We are here to rescue you in this time of need. Here, in this blog we have collected data regarding the living costs of different countries in the world.
Keep on reading and find out what is the cheapest country to live in and which of them suits best to your requirements.
What is the Cheapest Country to Live In
The cheapest countries in the world are those where you can afford a good lifestyle at $400 per month. These countries include Pakistan, Egypt, Bhutan, Portugal, and many more. However, most of these affordable countries have less to offer to the expats, but Portugal is the country where you can adopt a standard lifestyle at low prices.
It is also among the safest countries worldwide. If we had to list down the safest and cheapest countries in the world, it would include countries like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, Portugal, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. However, the living costs in these cheapest countries then peak at $11,00 per month, including utility bills, groceries, rent, etc.
Let us have a sneak peek into how the living costs in different countries make it affordable to settle there. Here is a list of some of the countries in the world, along with their monthly or yearly expenses.
| Country | Cost of living |
| Monaco | $6538 |
| Cayman Islands | $3374 |
| Singapore | $3000 |
| Switzerland | $2896 |
| Iceland | $2518 |
| Ireland | $2438 |
| United States | $2433 |
| Mexico | $982 |
| Serbia | $977 |
| Iran | $630 |
| Uganda | $624 |
| Uzbekistan | $623 |
| Mauritania | $617 |
| Philippines | $614 |
| Vietnam | $611 |
| India | $441 |
| Bangladesh | $423 |
| Libya | $422 |
| Nepal | $392 |
| Pakistan | $357 |
| Nigeria | $355 |
Portugal
Portugal is a country that is a hub of the seafood industry and tasty wines and is home to football players. Life in Portugal is beyond daily mundane experiences as it has a diverse spectrum of landscapes. From soothing and quiet beaches to historical landmarks to warm weather, Portugal has all the coveted factors a country can offer. Hence the people’s influx in Portugal is higher than in other countries.
Here is the list of Portuguese monthly rates:
| Housing | Costs Per Month |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in an expensive area | $1,296 |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in the normal priced area | $884 |
| Utilities (heating, electricity, gas) for an 85m2 (900 sqft) apartment | $138 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in an expensive area | $840 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in a normal-priced area | $663 |
| Utilities (heating and electricity) for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment | $115 |
| Internet 8 Mbps | $34 |
| Food | Costs Per Month |
| Basic lunch menu + a drink | $10 |
| Fast food meal | $7 |
| Chicken Breast 500 gr (1 lb.) | From $2.50 to $3 |
| Milk 1 liter (1 qt.) | Less than $1 |
| 12 eggs | From $2 to $2.50 |
| Tomatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1.50 to $2 |
| Portuguese cheese 500 gr (16 oz.) | Around $4.50 |
| Apples 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1.50 to $2 |
| Potatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| Beer 0.5 l (16 oz) | Around $1.30 |
| One bottle of wine | Around $5 |
| Bread | Less than $1 |
Within Portugal, there are some cities that are cheaper than the others. For instance, Leiria, Aveiro, and Portimao can be included. Leiria, with its cheaper living style, also offers cordial local people, which makes it easy for you to settle down here.
Strolling beside the river lane with a buzz of restaurants and cafeterias, you feel the serenity that refreshes you like nothing else. While living here, you only need a budget that ranges between $732 and $1070 per month, along with safety and proper security.
On the other hand, the Aveiro is known for its warm and sunny climate, which is the biggest attraction for expats from other EU countries. You can afford to live in this city if your monthly budget ranges from $732 to $788.
In addition to this, living in Portimao can cost you anything between $732 to $845 each month. This is the best place if you are looking for a place with warm weather. The climate in Portimao is warm around the year.
Vietnam
One of the cheapest and safest countries to live in is Vietnam, where you can experience cultural uniqueness. It is the place where you can plan to stay for the long term as it offers a standard living style to all its residents.
When in Vietnam, you not only witness an exotic blend of ancient and modern landscapes but can also absorb the serenity of quiet and soothing beaches. Furthermore, you also get glimpses into history as you stroll through the streets of Vietnam. Hence, if you are looking for an adequate place to settle, Veitnam is a good option to go with.
However, before you decide to settle as an expat in this country, let us give you a brief insight into the monthly budget in Vietnam:
| Housing | Costs Per Month |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in an expensive area | Around $1,000 |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in the normal priced area | Around $750 |
| Utilities (heating, electricity, gas) for an 85m2 (900 sqft) apartment | $74 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in an expensive area | $526 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in a normal-priced area | $378 |
| Utilities (heating and electricity) for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $27 |
| Internet 8 Mbps | $12 |
| Food | Costs |
| Basic lunch menu + a drink | From $2 to $3 |
| Fast food meal | From $3 to $4 |
| Chicken Breast 500 gr (1 lb.) | From $1.50 to $2 |
| Milk 1 liter (1 qt.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| 12 eggs | From $2 to $2.50 |
| Tomatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| Vietnamese cheese 500 gr (16 oz.) | Around $6 |
| Apples 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $2 to $3 |
| Potatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| Beer 0.5 l (16 oz) | Around $1 |
| One bottle of wine | Around $12 |
| Bread | From $1 to $1.50, |
If this monthly budget lies within your capacity, you can live in Vietnam, especially in cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Hoi An as these are the cheapest cities among all. This budget is the straightforward answer to what is the cheapest country to live in.
If you choose to be in Hanoi, apart from the affordability, this city also offers you slight glimpses into history and introduces you to the most unique culture. While living in Hanoi, you will need a monthly budget of $655 to survive.
If you ask which is the cheapest city in the whole of Southeast Asia, the answer to the question is Ho Chi Minh. The city is named after a communist leader who worked for the freedom of Vietnam. You can live in this safe city with a budget of only $819 per month.
Here, you get an answer to what is the cheapest country to live in.
South Africa
Also known as the “Rainbow Nation” South Africa is home to numerous breathtaking landmarks. The culture here fosters togetherness and diversity and extends kindness and love to the expats.
With all these advantages, one of the practically appealing advantages of settling in South Africa is its low cost of living. With so much to offer, this country expects very little from the foreigners. Let us find out how much money do you need to live in South Africa:
| Housing | Monthly Price |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in an expensive area | $996 |
| 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment in the normal priced area | $722 |
| Utilities (heating, electricity, gas) for an 85m2 (900 sqft) apartment | $85 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in an expensive area | $584 |
| 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment in a normal priced area | $416 |
| Utilities (heating and electricity) for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio apartment | $53 |
| Internet 8 Mbps | $49 |
| Food | Price |
| Basic lunch menu + a drink | From $2 to $3 |
| Fast food meal | From $3 to $4 |
| Chicken Breast 500 gr (1 lb.) | From $1.50 to $2 |
| Milk 1 liter (1 qt.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| 12 eggs | From $2 to $2.50 |
| Tomatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| Vietnamese cheese 500 gr (16 oz.) | Around $6 |
| Apples 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $2 to $3 |
| Potatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) | From $1 to $1.50 |
| Beer 0.5 l (16 oz) | Around $1 |
| 1 bottle of wine | Around $12 |
| Bread | From $1 to $1.50 |
If you are wondering what is the cheapest country to live in, you can also head to South Africa.
Pakistan
Although Pakistan is ranked 136th out of 162 countries when it comes to quality of life living in Pakistan is cheapest when compared to the countries all over the world.
In addition to low quality of education and de-standardized healthcare, the country is also not considered a safe place to live in. Hence, if you solely ask what is the cheapest country to live in, Pakistan might be the answer to your question.
However, if you prefer a safer place and a good quality of life, you might stop asking yourself what is the cheapest country to live in. Here is the list of market rates in Pakistan:
| Grocery Product | Prices | Price Range |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 212.87 Rs. | 150.00-270.00 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 154.18 Rs. | 100.00-250.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 329.03 Rs. | 180.00-450.00 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 317.79 Rs. | 190.00-415.00 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 1,369.03 Rs. | 500.00-3,000.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 786.80 Rs. | 450.00-1,200.00 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 982.72 Rs. | 700.00-1,400.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | 274.33 Rs. | 150.00-400.00 |
| Banana (1kg) | 177.59 Rs. | 100.00-350.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 215.10 Rs. | 70.00-400.00 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 126.55 Rs. | 50.00-200.00 |
| Potato (1kg) | 93.83 Rs. | 50.00-150.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | 113.53 Rs. | 60.00-200.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 89.17 Rs. | 40.00-200.00 |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | 93.21 Rs. | 60.00-150.00 |
| Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range) | 500.00 Rs. | 140.00-1,200.00 |
| Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) | 317.37 Rs. | 100.00-540.72 |
| Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 471.95 Rs. | 200.00-800.00 |
| Rents | Prices | Range |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 28,723.58 Rs. | 15,000.00-50,000.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 18,608.33 Rs. | 10,000.00-35,000.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 66,168.00 Rs. | 35,000.00-130,000.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 44,800.74 Rs | 25,000.00-95,000.0 |
Egypt
Egypt is among the countries with the cheapest cost of living and still offers a good quality of life as reported by the Index of Social Progress. By standard of living, this country is ranked 99th out of 162 countries which is still not what you are looking for.
Hence, Egypt might be what is the cheapest country to live in but it is not the place where you exactly want to live. With the economic instability and political upheavals along with pollution crises, this is definitely not the place you are looking for.
However, let us look into the monthly cost of living in Egypt:
| Category | Amount in USD |
| Transportation | 227.72 |
| Clothing And Shoes | 64.58 |
| Sports And Leisure | 62.42 |
| Markets | 427.24 |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 47.56 |
| Rent Per Month | 171.55 |
| Restaurants | 166.69 |
Here is the answer to what is the cheapest country to live in:
| Grocery Product | Prices | Range |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 36.95 EG£ | 27.00-47.00 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 26.38 EG£ | 10.00-50.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 33.89 EG£ | 25.00-45.00 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 61.82 EG£ | 48.00-72.00 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 152.40 EG£ | 70.00-350.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 198.27 EG£ | 120.00-280.00 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 378.66 EG£ | 300.00-450.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | 56.59 EG£ | 25.00-86.00 |
| Banana (1kg) | 21.64 EG£ | 15.00-35.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 17.56 EG£ | 10.00-30.00 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 15.32 EG£ | 7.00-25.00 |
| Potato (1kg) | 16.90 EG£ | 8.00-25.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | 29.22 EG£ | 20.00-40.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 9.37 EG£ | 5.00-15.00 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 7.81 EG£ | 5.00-10.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 269.85 EG£ | 120.00-450.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 54.43 EG£ | 30.00-85.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 60.00 EG£ | 40.00-100.00 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 75.00 EG£ | 60.00-90.00 |
| Utility Bills | Prices | Range |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 875.12 EG£ | 500.00-1,500.00 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 280.54 EG£ | 100.00-500.00 |
