Cheapest Country to Live In: Where Your Money Goes Farthest

When you’re asking about the cheapest country to live in, a place where income stretches further than in high-cost cities like London or New York. It’s not just about rent—it’s about groceries, transport, healthcare, and whether you can actually keep a roof over your head without working three jobs. People in the UK know this struggle well. The UK cost of living, a system where wages haven’t kept up with housing, energy, and food prices since 2020 has pushed many to wonder: is there somewhere better? The answer isn’t one country, but a pattern—places where basic needs are affordable, public services are functional, and the local economy doesn’t punish you for being ordinary.

Some of the most talked-about options aren’t exotic islands or remote villages. They’re countries like Portugal, Georgia, or Vietnam, where a monthly budget of $1,200 can cover rent, food, internet, and even occasional travel. In contrast, London’s living wage, set at £13.15 an hour in 2025 still leaves many struggling. The difference isn’t magic—it’s policy, scale, and cost structure. Countries with lower taxes on essentials, stronger public healthcare, and less speculative housing markets make a bigger difference than any salary bump. Even within Europe, places like Bulgaria or Romania offer a fraction of London’s rent for similar safety and infrastructure.

But here’s the catch: the cheapest country to live in isn’t always the best place to live. Some places cut corners on healthcare access, internet reliability, or legal protections for foreigners. Others have political instability or language barriers that make daily life harder than it looks on a blog post. The real goal isn’t just low prices—it’s sustainable affordability. That’s why the posts below don’t just list countries. They show you what it actually feels like to live there: how much a doctor’s visit costs, whether you can find decent bread at the market, if the power stays on in winter, and whether locals think you’re a tourist or a neighbor. You’ll find real stories from people who made the move, data on inflation trends, and comparisons that cut through the hype. No fluff. No sponsored lists. Just what works, what doesn’t, and why some places quietly let you breathe again.