Have you ever fantasized about packing up and moving to a new country? You’re not alone. The good news? It doesn’t have to cost a fortune—if you choose the right place.
So where to move? Vietnam has been named the world’s most affordable place to live for the fourth year in a row, according to the Expat Insider 2024 survey by InterNations.
Vietnam secured the top spot in the annual report’s Personal Finance Index. In order to create this list, InterNations had expats rate three different factors on a scale of one (very bad) to seven (very good). The factors included cost of living, satisfaction with their financial situation and whether a disposable household income is enough to lead a comfortable life in that country.
Vietnam’s position at the top of the list is no accident. The country has consistently delivered on affordability, with 86% of expats rating the cost of living favorably—more than twice the global average of 40%. Half of the expats surveyed also say the cost of living in Vietnam is “very good,” significantly surpassing the global average of 12%.
“The people are very friendly, and the cost of living is very low,” one U.S. expat said about Vietnam in the InterNations report.
While Vietnam excels in affordability, that isn’t the only reason to move there. In fact, only 3% of expats cite financial reasons for relocating. Vietnam also offers a work-life balance that many expats find appealing. The country saw a significant improvement in its ranking for job satisfaction, moving from 24th place last year to 3rd in 2024. Plus, less than half of the expats work full-time.
Viewing the mountains of Vietnam from an infinity pool.
But living in Vietnam isn’t without its challenges. The country ranked 40th out of 53 destinations in the Quality of Life Index, with particularly low scores in the Environment & Climate subcategory. Expats have expressed concerns about air quality, urban environments and the availability of green goods and services.
Besides Vietnam, the Expat Insider 2024 report highlights nine other countries where you can live comfortably without high financial stress. Asian countries dominate the list, taking six of the top 10 positions, while Latin America is well represented by Colombia, Panama, Mexico and Brazil.
Read on for the 10 most affordable countries to live, according to the Expat Insider 2024 report. You can also view the entire report with the most affordable—and least affordable—countries here.
Exploring a local night market in Vietnam during Chinese New Year.
Ranked: The 10 Most Affordable Countries To Live
- Vietnam
- Colombia
- Indonesia
- Panama
- Philippines
- India
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Brazil
- China