Live Your Best Life: 9 Countries Where Luxury Is Cheap - Travel Noire (2024)

With a liter of gas sitting right below one dollar, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia is one of the most popular cities to live in for expats seeking luxury and cheap living. The city is known for being a major producer of beverages, plastic, textiles, and food and has grown over the years as a hub for Ethiopian culture and commerce.

The rent is 50 percent cheaper than in New York, with a two-bedroom costing about $200 outside of the city. A movie ticket to a mainstream film is only $3.66 compared to a $10 ticket in New York City. A beautiful East African city filled with culture and economic advancement, Addis Ababa is a great destination for inexpensive living in style.

Once one of the world’s poorest countries, Vietnam has been growing and evolving as a nation over the past 30 years. In its most expensive cities, like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, two people can live very comfortably on a budget of $1,500 per month.

A single person, not including rent, would have an average monthly cost of $439 and if you have a larger budget, you can live luxuriously in the Asian country for significantly less than in the United States.

Vietnam recently brought excellent healthcare, architectural improvements, and other new age advances to its citizens, and many expats venture there to teach in their developing school system. Accompanied by a rich and lush history and culture, Vietnam is a top place for luxury living on a dime.

In Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia, you can find a luxury three-bedroom, beach home overlooking the sea for as low as $403 per month. The country is beach living at its finest, with sandy shores meeting you at your doorstep.

When one traveler was injured and had to visit the hospital while visiting the country, his medical bill was only $43, a vast difference from an ER bill in the US. By moving to Malaysia, you can make every day a beach vacation right from your own backyard.

While Nicaragua is the second-poorest country in the world, Managua sits in the middle of the South American nation and is home to major corporations like Walmart. It is a financial epicenter, and many expats go there to live permanently and retire outside the United States.

The average rent of a two-bedroom there is $800 and, without rent, the average cost of expenses for a single person is around $540. A liter of gas is only $1.23 and the cost of living in Managua is 58 percent cheaper than in New York. Be aware that Managua does have a high crime rate, so do your research before relocating to the country.

Mexico has grown in popularity among retiree expats looking for high-quality healthcare and cheap luxury living. Rent in Cancun is 85 percent cheaper than in New York, and a retired couple can live carefree in the city for between $1,500 to $3,000 a month. A single person’s monthly cost to live there would be approximately $494.

The country has been working to continue improving its healthcare system and is rolling out programs to help accommodate senior residents. With a variety of tropical climates to choose from, Mexico provides low-cost living without losing the luxury perks.

The only First World city in Central America, Panama offers luxury living internationally without being too far from the United States. A beachside condo in Panama City will run you about $1,500 per month and your rent, utilities, food, and entertainment will cost roughly $2,600 monthly.

Outside the tourist-filled shores of Panama City, the cost of living is even cheaper. Panama offers one of the best retiree programs in the world so expats seeking a final destination can be found throughout the country.

On average, rent in La Paz, Bolivia is 89.5 percent cheaper than in New York. A liter of gas costs 38 cents, and you can have a luxurious two-bedroom apartment on a hill for $650. La Paz is an epicenter of commerce and finance in Bolivia and has started to attract international expats from around the world.

The monthly average cost for a person to live in the city, excluding rent, is $509.

A European favorite for expats, Lisbon, Portugal is a beautiful coastal city where you can live blissfully on a budget. Portugal has made the process to become a European citizen very easy for expats and has one of the lowest costs for luxury living on the continent.

The monthly cost for a single person is around $623, and you can find a nice apartment in the city for close to $550 per month.

Lisbon is also known for its excellent work environments, local hospitality, and is one of the friendliest destinations for LGBTQ nomads. Another beautiful city backdropped by a radiant blue sea, Lisbon can cater to your luxury needs without breaking your pockets.

Ranked the cheapest place to live for consecutive years, Karachi, Pakistan is an international gem when it comes to cheap living. The average rent of a two-bedroom apartment in the Middle Eastern city is $292 with a liter of gas being only 94 cents.

A family of four could live off just a little over one thousand dollars a month and rent in Karachi is, on average, 93.5 percent lower than in New York.

Karachi is an economic hub in Pakistan and the nation’s largest city, giving you the big city feel you desire on a budget.