March 19, 2025 | Alex Summers

Low-Cost Countries Where You Can Work Way Less And Still Live Large


Escape The Hustle Without The Hassle 

Why stay stuck at a desk when you could live more and work less? Some destinations make it easier to swap long hours for easy days. According to Numbeo, your living expenses would be less in these countries. But note that, these estimates fluctuate daily.

Intro

Mexico

Stretch your dollars further in Mexico, where everyday costs won't drain your wallet. Living expenses drop by 46.3% compared to the US, and even with rent, you still save about 52.5%. You could be savoring tacos or strolling through lively markets at a fraction of the price. 

Vibrant urban scene of Albuquerque, New Mexico captured from a high vantage pointSeanPavonePhoto, Adobe Stock

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Mexico (Cont.) 

Say goodbye to sky-high rent—Mexico's prices are 65.1% lower than in the US. Dining out? No problem! Restaurant bills shrink by 47.3% so that you can feast without flinching. Even grocery runs cost 46% less, making fresh avocados and juicy mangoes everyday luxuries instead of occasional treats. 

Typical street road and cityscape of La Quinta AvenidaArkadij Schell

Portugal 

Savor fresh seafood, sip local wine, and keep your budget intact—restaurant prices in Portugal are 42.9% lower than in the US. Even stocking up at the supermarket feels like a win, with groceries costing 42% less. Every meal feels indulgent without the guilt of overspending. 

Lisbon, PortugalDeensel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Portugal (Cont.) 

Charming cobblestone streets and budget-friendly living? Yes, please. Rent in Portugal is 44.2% lower than in the US, and total living costs, including housing, are 37.8% lower. With savings like that, you can sip espresso in a cafe daily and still come out ahead. 

Tourists walking in High Street by the Sea. Cascais Portugal.Terry Kearney, Flickr

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Thailand 

Do you love eating out? Thailand lets you feast for less. Restaurant prices are 67.9% cheaper here, so you can feast on street food favorites like pad thai and mango sticky rice without a second thought. Groceries? That also is a steal, costing 43% less overall.

Travel talesPixabay

Thailand (Cont.) 

Living the dream on a budget is easy when rent prices are 70.2% lower. Add in everyday expenses, and your total cost of living is 54.9% cheaper. You could be in Bangkok's skyline or Chiang Mai's mountains, but your dollar still stretches further. 

Chiang Mai, ThailandTake Photo, Shutterstock

Colombia 

Finding a place to live in Colombia won't break the bank. Rent takes up 77.8% less of your budget. Add that to an overall cost of living that's 63.6% lighter on your wallet, and you've got room to enjoy life, not just survive it.

Medellín metro located in Medellín, ColombiaAlexander Canas Arango, Shutterstock

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Colombia (Cont.) 

Grabbing a meal out feels effortless when restaurants cost 64.0% less. Prefer to cook? Grocery runs won't drain your funds because food costs are cut by 58.3%. No matter if you're indulging in arepas or fresh tropical fruit, eating well is both affordable and flavorful in Colombia.

Image of Bogota, Colombia - 2017Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vietnam 

Grocery shopping in Vietnam is a budget-friendly adventure; 55.9% less is spent on fresh veggies, fragrant herbs, and local delicacies. However, it's not just about the markets. With 70.7% less local purchasing power, everyday expenses feel lighter, which makes it easier to enjoy life without financial stress. 

Sunset at Landmarks 81 Ho Chi Minh City, the tallest building in VietnamTBone Lee, Shutterstock

Vietnam (Cont.) 

Think of the apartment you've always wanted, and now think of it without the insane price tag. Rent takes up 77.6% less of your budget, while total living costs shrink by 65.3%, leaving plenty of room for weekend getaways, fantastic food experiences, motorbike adventures, and spontaneous coffee breaks.

Lady Trieu FactsPixabay

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Malaysia 

If you love partying but also relaxing, Malaysia is the best of both worlds. Your overall purchasing power will be 54.1% less here than in the US. Also, you can let your inner chef out because groceries are 47.7% cheaper. So, you can go all out.

Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaLuke Ma, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Malaysia (Cont.) 

Eating out feels like a treat but without the guilt. Restaurant meals cost 68.0% less, so enjoying nasi lemak or sizzling satay is practically a steal. Even with 43.7% less local purchasing power, the affordability of daily expenses ensures a comfortable life. 

View of highest tower KL PNB Merdeka 118 ,KUALA LUMPUR - 2022muhamad mizan bin ngateni, Shutterstock

Costa Rica 

Many people dream of living in Costa Rica, but wait until you realize you can. You'll spend 32.3% less on overall expenses, making room for more pura vida moments. Rent is even more manageable, taking up 54.1% less of your budget. 

Cartago, Costa RicaGianfranco Vivi, Shutterstock

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Costa Rica (Cont.) 

Grabbing a casado or fresh ceviche won't break the bank—restaurant meals cost 30.1% less, so dining out stays part of the routine. The 64.3% less local purchasing power doesn't mean much when everyday costs remain low, letting you enjoy Costa Rica's laid-back lifestyle. 

Colorful street with cars stores in San José, Costa RicaArkadij Schell, Shutterstock

Bulgaria 

Bulgaria is the perfect blend of quality and quantity. Why? Because everyday expenses take up 44.0% less of your income, and total costs, which include rent, shrink by 54.1%. Finding a cozy apartment or a countryside retreat is easy when rent is slashed by 74.5%. 

Plovdiv, BulgariaIlia Markov from Sofia, Bulgaria, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bulgaria (Cont.) 

Of course, it does not stop there. Restaurant bills are trimmed by 45.6%. Groceries? It stays budget-friendly, too, with costs down 47.3%. Despite 49.4% less local purchasing power, Bulgaria's affordability keeps life comfortable and adventure-filled.

Graf Ignatiev street in Sofia, BulgariaSami C, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Indonesia 

Spending 62.1% less on living expenses means more room for adventure. In Indonesia, stocking up on fresh produce and local specialties costs 54.9% less, which turns every market visit into an opportunity to enjoy bold flavors at unbeatable prices.

Aerial photo of skyscrapers in Jakarta, IndonesiaTom Fisk, Pexels

Indonesia (Cont.) 

Living near Bali's beaches or Jakarta's skyline doesn't require a fortune—rent takes up 79.9% less of your budget. Dining out is just as easy, with restaurant meals costing 77.9% less, so enjoying a sizzling plate of nasi goreng or satay skewers feels like an everyday luxury. 

Busy Highway located in Jakarta, IndonesiaAlifia Harina, Pexels

Ecuador 

Food in Ecuador is as affordable as it is delicious. With restaurant meals costing 62.6% less, grabbing a plate of hornado or llapingachos feels like a daily reward, not an expense. Grocery shopping follows suit, with fresh produce and staples priced 54.6% less, keeping meals flavorful and budget-friendly.

Ecuador CuencaNatalia Cartolini, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Ecuador (Cont.) 

Finding a home is refreshingly easy on the wallet because rent costs 80.8% less. So, you can choose the Andes or a beachside bungalow. With overall expenses 63.5% lower, life in Ecuador means trading financial stress for a rich culture and the freedom to enjoy it all. 

aerial view of city buildings during daytimeAndres Medina, Unsplash

Panama 

Life in Panama means spending 32.9% less on daily expenses, which makes everything more affordable. Grocery runs are just as rewarding, with essentials costing 31.7% less, so fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and local staples like plantains and yuca stay within budget.

Panama City SkylineÁngel López, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Panama (Cont.) 

Want to rent a place? Go right ahead! It will be 44.0% less than your American budget. Oh, you're a foodie too? Perfect. Dining out is just as easy—restaurant meals cost 40.8% less, so enjoying ceviche and sancocho feels like a daily treat. 

high rise buildings under white sky during daytimeDarren Miller, Unsplash

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Cambodia 

Do you consider grocery shopping to be a cultural experience? If yes, then you must know that essentials cost 42.9% less here. Daily life in Cambodia is surprisingly affordable as total expenses drop by 48.2%. Plus, bustling local markets offer unbeatable deals. 

aerial view of city buildings during daytimeallPhoto Bangkok, Unsplash

Cambodia (Cont.) 

Housing is a bargain, with rent taking up 77.0% less of your budget. Eating out is just as effortless, with restaurant meals costing 66.4% less, so indulging in amok curry or crispy bai sach chrouk becomes part of your everyday routine.

Streets of the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.- 2024Assa2215, Shutterstock


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