By Hemant SharmaNo doubt, the cost of living is continuously rising in the entire world, literally no nation has escaped from this. But, no matter how much the cost of living rises, there will always be some countries where it would be much cheaper to live and spend your life compared to your own country. Like, for example, right now as of 2025, it is much cheaper to live in India than in the United States. You know, you can buy a whole lot for just $5 in India than in the USA. And just like that, we’ll be telling you about the top 10 cheapest countries to live in the world as of 2025. So, here we go then.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam has topped the list once again for the cheapest place to live, and it’s easy to see why that is the case. You know like everything here is very cheap/affordable here. For example, you will find around 86% of expats love the low cost of living and nearly half think it’s JUST fantastic. Living in a cozy apartment outside of major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will cost you as little as $250 a month. Really? Just $250? Well, yes!! Many meals cost two dollars or less, and that is just insanely affordable if you think about it for a sec.
2. Colombia
Alright, you see, try Colombia if you want a beautiful country for low costs. For example, you can rent in Medellín, arguably home to the best weather in the world, for only $300/month. You will get great value for money here. Most expats feel they have more than enough money to live well at Medellín. 85% of expats believe so. Some areas are not safe yet but cities, which are good for expats, are safer than before.
3. Indonesia
To be honest, in a way, Bali and Indonesia are digital nomad’s favorites, as are those that want to live cheaply in paradise. Like, many people work remote jobs in Western countries and they actually live in Bali or Indonesia, not just to save costs, but to live a better, healthy, peaceful, and safe life. You can live quite well here for $800 to $1,000 per month, but how? Well, that’s simple, rent can be as low as $250 in smaller towns. You’ll hardly spend more than two dollars for a local meal, while fruits and vegetables are super cheap.
4. Panama
Panama? Yes, why not! Like, if you’re an expat or retiree looking for a modern lifestyle that’s super cheap/affordable, Panama is a great option. Panama has a retirement visa that offers discounts on healthcare, transport, and even entertainment. Rent in smaller towns hits $400 per month. Rent in Panama City, a decent place will cost you about $800. That’s all! Not just that though, the healthcare is just as good but a fraction of what you’ll pay in North America.
5. Philippines
The Philippines is a friendly and cheap country with tropical weather, no two ways about that. As for how much it really costs to live down there, well, rent prices are pretty cheap, you can get a one-bedroom apartment for $250 to $400 per month. That’s all! It’s way cheaper than many Western countries even when we talk about Manila and Cebu. Eating out is super cheap as food ranges from $3. Public transport is also very cheap, only a few cents.
6. India
Sure enough, India is one of the cheapest countries in the world. Keep in mind that here, renting a good apartment can cost around $150 to $300 a month depending on the city you choose. And yes, everything else, like, groceries, restaurants, and transportation is also super cheap. You can get food for as little as $1 to $2, and monthly buses cost less than $10! Not just that though, India is specifically famous for its cheap but quality healthcare on a global scale. So, that’s that!
7. Mexico
Well, most of you living in North America might not know this but yes, Mexico is a wonderful place to live on a budget while having modern facilities. Like, really! Here, you can rent an apartment in major cities like Mexico City for $600 to $800 or $300 to $500 a month in smaller towns. Everything is cheap here! Everywhere you’ll find $1 tacos! Fresh veggies are super cheap too.
8. Thailand
For a long time now, well yes, Thailand has been a great place for budget travelers, retirees, and digital nomads for decades. In Thailand, your monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $250-$400. Rent throughout Bangkok is cheaper than many cities in the West. In Thailand, street food is incredible and extremely affordable too, like, you can easily get a meal for $1 to $3. Transportation is also budget-friendly. Thailand has a great healthcare system.
9. Brazil
It is true that in South America, Brazil is among the cheapest countries to live in. How and why? Well, for example, you can rent places in the small coastal cities of Florianópolis or Fortaleza for $300 to $500 monthly, that’s it! Like, in big cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, you can still find a decent apartment for $600-$800. Food, with fresh vegetables and meat costing super low prices. You can eat out at a low cost of between $5 to $10.
10. China
Many of you may not be expecting to see China on this list, right? Well, it is actually cheap to live down there, so here we are with it. You see, in China, one can enjoy a comfortable life at $800 to $1,200 per month in most places. If you go to smaller cities, it is cheaper. A one-bedroom apartment costs $250 to $400 a month. You can get a meal for just $2 to 4 here. Getting around on public transport is fast, efficient, and incredibly cheap, like, most metros cost less than a dollar!
Conclusion
Sure, there are many more countries to this list down the line, but by far, if you’re asking which are the best as well as the cheapest countries to live in the world as of 2025, then these had to be the top 10. Maybe you were looking for this info just for general knowledge purposes, or it could be that you’re actually looking forward to moving to one of these countries, we hope that our today’s post helped you out in some way with that.