Are you Looking to stretch your budget while still enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle? I’ve compiled a list of the cheapest countries to live and work in, where your hard-earned money can go further than you ever imagined.
They offer affordable housing, low-cost healthcare, groceries, and an array of opportunities for digital nomads, remote workers, and expatriates alike.
Aside from working yourself out, you get to savour delicious street foods, explore rich cultural heritages, and soak up the sun on the stunning beaches – all without breaking the bank.
However, as you read further you learn more about the cheapest countries to live and work and start your journey to a more affordable and fulfilling lifestyle today!
1. Vietnam:
If you’re looking for cheap countries to live and work in, Vietnam should be at the top of your list. Vietnam is a very good country that you can visit even if you’re on a budget.
There are lots of tourist attractions to also make your experience memorable including their rich cultural heritage.
Vietnam is located on the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia.
Some of the main cities to work and live in Vietnam are:
1. Hanoi
2. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
3. Da Nang
4. Hai Phong
5. Can Tho
6. Bien Hoa
7. Hue
8. Nha Trang
9. Vinh
10. Ha Long
These cities are full of opportunities just like in Nigeria where we have Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) and 1 USD 24,593.9 VND.
Popular jobs in Vietnam that pay up to $1000 and above monthly:
1. English Teacher
2. Software Developer/IT Professional
3. Marketing Specialist
4. Hospitality and Tourism Jobs
5. Finance and Banking
6. Manufacturing and Engineering
7. Healthcare Professionals
8. Sales and Business Development
9. Language Translator
10. Digital Marketing Specialist
Cost of living in Vietnam
Costs can vary based on the city, lifestyle, and personal choices. It’s recommended to research specific locations and gather the latest information on the city you’d like to live in Vietnam.
1. Accommodation: Rent can vary, but it’s generally affordable compared to many Western countries.
2. Food: Street food is economical, and dining out is reasonably priced.
3. Transportation: Public transportation is inexpensive, and motorbike usage is common.
4. Utilities: Electricity, water, heating, and cooling costs are relatively low.
5. Healthcare: Medical services are affordable, though expats often get health insurance.
6. Entertainment: Leisure activities and cultural events are generally budget-friendly.
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2. Mexico:
Mexico is one of the cheapest countries to live and work in. It is very cheap compared to its neighbouring country USA.
It is known for its rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions. Mexico is one country you should consider adding to your bucket list; from its rich street foods to its serene beaches and clear skies.
It is also known for its low cost of living compared to other Western countries.
Core cities to live in Mexico
1. Mexico City
2. Guadalajara
3. Monterrey
4. Puebla
5. Tijuana
6. Querétaro
7. Mérida
8. Cancún
9. Leon
10. Chihuahua
The most popular Job in Mexico that pays $1000 and above monthly
1. Tourism and Hospitality
2. IT and Technology
3. Manufacturing and Automotive
4. Language Teaching
5. Digital Marketing and E-commerce
6. Finance and Banking
7. Healthcare
8. Engineering
9. Television and Film Industry
10. Agriculture
A Break-down of the cost of living in Mexico
The cost of living varies depending on factors such as location, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Generally, Mexico offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western countries. Here’s an overview of the cost of living in Mexico:
1. Housing: Renting an apartment or house in urban areas like Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey can range from moderate to expensive, while smaller cities and rural areas offer more affordable options. Depending on the location and amenities, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre may cost between $300 to $700 per month.
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2. Food: Groceries are reasonably priced, especially if you shop at local markets or supermarkets. Dining out at restaurants and street food stalls is also affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costing between $5 to $10 per person.
3. Transportation: Public transportation, such as buses and metro systems, is inexpensive and widely available in major cities. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also affordable modes of transportation. Owning a car may incur additional expenses such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
4. Utilities: Basic utilities including electricity, water, heating, and internet are also reasonably priced. However, usage and rates may vary depending on the region and the size of the accommodation.
5. Healthcare: Healthcare in Mexico is generally more affordable than in many Western countries. Public healthcare services are available, and private healthcare facilities offer quality care at lower costs compared to other countries.
3. Colombia:
The birthplace of the famous Pablo Escobar. The South American country is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and the popular Amazon forest by the east. Colombia is also one of the cheapest countries to live and work in.
The Colombian peso is weakened against the United States dollar and 1 USD, 3,903.48000 COP.
Most Popular Jobs in Colombia that pays $1000 and above monthly
1. Tourism and Hospitality
2. English Language Teaching
3. IT and Technology
4. Agriculture
5. Real Estate and Construction
A Breakdown of The Cost of Living in Colombia
The cost of living in Colombia is generally lower than in many Western countries. Here are the approximate costs in USD:
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: $300 to $700 per month.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: $200 to $500 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $150 to $250 per month.
Meal at a mid-range restaurant: $5 to $15.
3. Transportation:
Public transportation costs around (monthly pass): $25 to $40 and Gasoline costs (per litre) $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (including electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $50 to $80 per month.
5. Healthcare:
Basic healthcare services are affordable, and private health insurance costs vary based on coverage.
4. Indonesia:
Indonesia is also one of the cheapest countries to live and work in. The country’s cost of living is 60% cheaper than the United States as a whole. The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah and 1 United States Dollar equals
15,541.30 Indonesian Rupiah.
Core Cities to live and work in Indonesia
1. Jakarta
2. Surabaya
3. Bandung
4. Yogyakarta
5. Bali (Denpasar)
6. Medan
7. Makassar
8. Semarang
Popular Jobs in Indonesia that pay up to $1000 and above
1. Tourism and Hospitality
2. Information Technology (IT)
3. Manufacturing
4. English Language Teaching and Education
5. Healthcare
5. Agriculture
Breakdown Of The Cost of Living in Indonesia
The cost of living in Indonesia is generally lower compared to many Western countries. Approximate costs in USD:
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: $200 to $500 per month.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: $100 to $300 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $100 to $200 per month and meal at a mid-range restaurant: $5 to $15.
3. Transportation:
Public transportation (monthly pass): $20 to $40—gasoline (per litre): $0.80 to $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $30 to $50 per month basic healthcare services are generally affordable, and private health insurance costs vary.
5. South Africa:
SA is also one of the cheapest countries to live and work in. South Africa has a rich cultural heritage. The cost of living in South Africa is relatively low and surprisingly it is one of the best countries to live in Africa.
The city of Pretoria has one of the best university in the world and Africa at large- the University of Pretoria. The official currency of South Africa is the Rand (Zar) and 1.06842 USD equals 50 ZAR.
10 key cities to live and work in in South Africa
1. Johannesburg
2. Cape Town
3. Durban
4. Pretoria
5. Port Elizabeth
6. Bloemfontein
7. Pietermaritzburg
8. East London
9. Nelspruit
10. Kimberley
Popular Jobs in South Africa
1. Mining and Resources
2. Finance and Banking
3. Information Technology (IT)
4. Healthcare and Medicine
5. Engineering
6. Teaching and Education
7. Tourism and Hospitality
10. Marketing and Advertising
Breakdown Of The Cost of Living in South Africa
The cost of living in South Africa is generally lower than in many Western countries. Approximate costs in USD:
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: $300 to $500 per month.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: $200 to $350 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $150 to $250 per month While meal at a mid-range restaurant: $10 to $20.
3. Transportation
Public transportation (monthly pass): $20 to $40 and Gasoline (per litre): $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $50 to $80 per month.
5. Healthcare:
Basic healthcare services are affordable, and private health insurance costs vary based on coverage.
6. Peru:
Peru is also ranked among the top 10 cheapest countries to live and work in. From hiking the Inca Trail, and the Amazon rainforest to visiting Machu Picchu, Peru is full of tourist attractions for visitors and what is more exciting is that it is cheap and affordable. Your $1 would definitely go a long way here in Peru.
Key Cities to Live and work in Peru
1. Lima
2. Arequipa
3. Cusco
4. Trujillo
5. Piura
6. Chiclayo
7. Iquitos
8. Huancayo
Most Popular Jobs In Peru That Pays Up To $1000 And Above Monthly
1. Tourism and Hospitality
2. Mining and Resources
3. Agriculture and Agribusiness
4. Teaching and Education
5. Finance and Banking
6. Healthcare
8. IT and Technology
Breakdown Of Cost Of Living In Peru
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: $300 to $500 per month.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: $200 to $400 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $100 to $200 per month; Meal at a mid-range restaurant: $10 to $20.
3. Transportation:
Public transportation (monthly pass): $20 to $30 and Gasoline (per litre): $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $30 to $50 per month meanwhile basic healthcare services are affordable, and private health insurance costs vary based on coverage.
7. Bulgaria:
Bulgaria is also among the cheapest countries to live and work in. It is also one of the most affordable countries to live in Europe compared to Italy and France which are also hotspots for immigrants. Aside from being one of the cheapest countries to live and work in, Bulgaria is also one of the countries with a rich cultural heritage dating back over 8000 years.
So all the penny spent is worth it because you’ll not just get bored with work, you also have lots of tourist attractions to see.
The official currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Leva and 1BGN equals 0.56 USD.
Core Cities to Live And Work in Bulgaria
1. Sofia
2. Plovdiv
3. Varna
4. Burgas
5. Veliko Tarnovo
Most Popular Jobs in Bulgaria that pays up to $1000 and above monthly
1. Information Technology (IT)
2. Tourism and Hospitality
3. Engineering
4. Finance and Banking
5. English Language Teacher and interpretation
6. Healthcare
Breakdown Of The Cost of Living in Bulgaria
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: is $300 to $500 per month and rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center: is $200 to $350 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $100 to $150 per month; meal at a mid-range restaurant: $10 to $20.
3. Transportation:
Public transportation (monthly pass): $20 to $30—gasoline (per litre): $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $50 to $80 per month.
5. Healthcare:
Basic healthcare services are affordable, and private health insurance costs vary based on coverage.
8. Georgia:
The list of cheapest countries to live and work in cannot be complete without mentioning Georgia. Georgia is affordable for visitors under a budget. It also holds a rich historical background on the World War as it was a former Soviet Union country.
Apart from working and just living in Georgia, you get to learn a lot about history and explore some tourist attractions.
The capital city of Georgia is Tbilisi which is the most expensive city to live in Georgia and the cheapest city to live in Europe so you see the irony?
The country is filled with lots of attractions, beaches and serene environments to make your experience more interesting.
The official currency of Georgia is The Georgian lari and 1usd equals 2.65GEL
Key cities to live and work in Georgia
1. Tbilisi
2. Batumi
3. Kutaisi
4. Rustavi
5. Gori
Popular Jobs In Georgia That Pay Up To $1000 And Above
1. Tourism and Hospitality
2. Information Technology (IT)
3. Education and Teaching
5. Healthcare
6. Manufacturing and Industry
7. Construction and Engineering
8. Language Services
Breakdown Of The Cost of Living in Georgia
1. Housing:
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: $200 to $400 per month.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: $150 to $300 per month.
2. Food:
Grocery bill for a single person: $100 to $150 per month.
Meal at a mid-range restaurant: $5 to $10.
3. Transportation:
Public transportation (monthly pass): $10 to $20.
Gasoline (per litre): $1.
4. Utilities:
Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): $50 to $80 per month.
5. Healthcare:
Basic healthcare services are affordable, and private health insurance costs vary based on coverage.
Conclusion
Exploring the cheapest countries to live and work presents a myriad of opportunities for budget-conscious individuals seeking affordable living expenses and favourable work environments. Whether it’s the low cost of accommodation, affordable healthcare, or favourable tax rates, these countries offer a promising blend of affordability and quality of life.