Tired of being cooped up in a room and daydreaming of traveling again? That doesn’t seem very easy until a vaccine for Covid-19 is discovered. However, you can take some time out of your mundane WFH schedule and scroll through the extraordinary places you can live and work. These places are not remarkable for their elegant natural beauty but for being the cheapest, yes, the cheapest countries in the world to live and work in.
We know the pandemic must have dried up your savings. But these 11 cheapest countries in the world are the places where you can comfortably survive on $1000. Sounds unbelievable. Scroll through the most affordable places, find your best bet and start your visa process.
Visiting a country just as a tourist is a cliche; you should take one step ahead. Rather than planning your retirement, you should shortlist a country to settle in from the 11 cheapest countries in the world to live in.
Cheapest Countries To Live And Work In
Almost everyone has got a knack for working remotely due to Covid-19, then why not work amidst Amazon or from a house with a beach view? Makes you ecstatic suitable? Then you will finalize a place by the time you reach the end of the blog.
Vietnam
Vietnam would be any ex-pats’ first choice when choosing the cheapest country in the world. The 331,211.6 square kilometers large Vietnam is located on the eastern edge of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast China. It shares its borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia.
Before moving in, you would want to know the weather conditions of the place. Northern Vietnam has a tropical climate zone. January is the coldest month of the year, and the winter season is generally from November to April in northern Vietnam. Usually, February and March see monsoons, and summers are from May to October, accompanied by heat and rainfall. Whereas southern and central Vietnam sees monsoons from June to November and is comparatively dry between December and April.
- Official language: Vietnamese
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- 1 USD equals 23,176 Vietnamese Dong
Cost of living in Vietnam
The average cost of living in Vietnam is around $1,000. The price for a high-end lifestyle is about $1,400, and $700 is on the lower side. The country’s capital, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City are the most expensive cities to live in Vietnam.
Average expenses under various heads include rent, ranging between $400 to $900; electricity, $80; approximately $60 for transportation; leisure cost might reach up to $300, groceries costing $100 and mobile with data, $3.
Popular Jobs in Vietnam
- Foreign Language Instructor
- Advertising and Marketing
- Acting and Modelling
Also read: Solo Travel Tips: 45 Essential Tips If You Are Traveling Solo
Bolivia
Bolivia, located in the west-central of South America, is one of the cheapest countries in SA (South America). Interestingly, the north and east side of the border is shared with Brazil, southeast by Paraguay, south with Argentina, southwest and west with Chile, and northwest with Peru.
- Official Language: Spanish.
- As many as 36 recognized indigenous languages are spoken across the country.
- Currency: Boliviano
- 1 USD equals 6.91 Bolivian Boliviano
Cost Of Living In Bolivia
The monthly average cost in Bolivia is around $1500, with rent costing $400, the internet will take away your $30, and public transport in Bolivia will cost you $50. Necessities like groceries will cost you $350, and another $350 for dining out and entertainment.
Popular Jobs In Bolivia
- English Teaching
Malaysia
Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that lies north of the Equator. Malaysia is divided into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of Malaysia.
It shares its borders with Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The weather in the country is majorly tropical around the year with quite a humidity. Mild temperatures are maintained throughout the year, while temperatures at the Highlands are lower.
- Official language: Malaysian language (Malay)
- Currency: Malaysian ringgit
- 1 USD equals to 4.19 Malaysian ringgit
Cost Of Living In Malaysia
Your monthly cost of living will range from around $700 to $950. Yes, under $1000, so affordable. A well-furnished home in a central location will cost you $450 to $600, utility expenses will reach $47, monthly transportation pass costs between $30 to $35, and restaurant food cost $12 to $24.
You might not be surprised to know that expats’ first choice is to settle in Malaysia. One of the many cheapest countries in Kuala Lumpur, followed by Penang.
Popular Jobs In Malaysia
- IT and Engineering
- Teaching and banking
- Finance Sector
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Costa Rica
Apart from being one of the cheapest countries to live in, Costa Rica is considered one of the most beautiful havens in the world. A country with beauty in abundance, its people, commonly known as ‘Ticos’, are known for big hearts. You will often hear the word ‘Pura Vida’, which means pure life. No wonder you are bound to have a new life with such encompassing beauty of this marvel.
Costa Rica is also known for its eternal spring and is a tropical paradise. The climate is generally dry between December to April, while May to November sees rain. Since it falls near the proximity of the Equator, you will experience several microclimates that differ depending upon your geographical location. The temperature is generally low in Highlands.
Costa Rica shares its borders with Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south and shares coastlines with the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
- Official Language: Spanish
- Currency: Costa Rican colon
- 1 USD equals 595.09 Costa Rican Colon
Cost Of Living In Costa Rica
A one-bedroom rented apartment will cost barely $500 per month, and your average monthly expense will be readily under $1200. As several flats do not offer this, you might have to pay extra for hot water and air conditioning services. Meals at ‘sodas’, a common name for small eateries, will cost $7, whereas dining out at restaurants may cost $20. Public transportation is just worth $0.69 a ride.
Popular Jobs In Costa Rica
- English teaching jobs
- Voluntary work
- Tourism
Mexico
Located in the southern part of North America, Mexico shares its borders with the United States from the north side, the Pacific Ocean from the west and south side, from the east the Gulf of Mexico, and the southeast border shared with Belize, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea.
The weather conditions are a mix of rainy and dry seasons, with temperature variations in each season. The temperature in Mexico hovers between 50 degrees F and 90 degrees F around the year.
- National language: Spanish
- Currency: Mexican Peso
- 1 USD equals 22.36 Mexican Pesos
Cost Of Living In Mexico
Mexico’s average monthly living expense is between $700 to $2000. Extra utilities will cost around $103, whereas eating out at a restaurant will cost you approximately $24. Public transportation is inexpensive in Mexico, with monthly train passes costing $23.
Popular jobs in Mexico
- Foreign Language Instructor
- Teleworking
- Corporate Employment
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Ecuador
Ecuador is located in northwestern South America. Since the country is right on the Equator, the country experiences a humid tropical climate. It shares borders with Colombia in the north, Peru in the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean in the west.
- Currency: US Dollar
- Official language: Spanish
Cost of living in Ecuador
The average monthly expense would fall between $1400 to $2,000—public transportation $25 and utilities costing $25. Eating outside food might burn a pocket in your hole as it may take away your $500. The cost of living in Ecuador is cheaper than in 68% of the countries in the world.
Popular jobs in Ecuador
- English Teaching
- Tourism industry
- Volunteer work
India
Not just a land of snake charmers but a land of opportunities too. So much so that India is also considered one of the cheapest countries to live in. It is located in Southern Asia, sharing its borders with China, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan on the north and eastern sides with Bangladesh and Myanmar. India shares its boundary with the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal from the south.
The climate in India is different in each state, which is why it is considered one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world.
- Currency: Indian Rupee
- Official Language: Hindi
- 1 USD equals 74.92 Indian Rupee
Cost of living in India
The cost of living changes with each corner of the country. Housing expenses can range anywhere from $500 to $1200, depending on the place or city of residence. The general rent in India is 85% less than in the United States. Outside food in a decent restaurant for two in a city like Mumbai would cost $25. Even though public transport in India is overcrowded, it is affordable. A monthly pass will cost you only $20.
Popular jobs in India
- IT/Engineering
- Tourism
- Sales
Columbia
A significant part of Colombia is situated in the northwest of South America. Some territories fall within the boundaries of Central America.
Along with being the cheapest country in the world, the weather condition of Colombia is favorable for ex-pats as it is tropical and isothermal. Colombia sees four seasons throughout the year due to its proximity to the Equator.
- Official language: Spanish
- Currency: Colombian peso
- 1 USD equals 3789 Colombian pesos
Cost of living in Colombia
Expat’s monthly expenses would be $1000 to $2500, including household expenses, groceries, dining, and transportation. Eating out will not burden your pocket here as it will not likely cost more than $20. While traveling in city buses will only cost you less than a dollar. How economical!
Popular jobs in Colombia
- English teacher
Peru
Yet another country in South America is one of the cheapest countries to live in. The countries that border Peru is Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil.
If you love rain, there might be better places to live in. Peru needs more rainfall. But you can choose from three different climates seen in Peru, a coastal desert strip with a sober environment, foggy winters, and pleasant summers. Another is an Andean zone which is generally cold, and you will find a hot and humid climate throughout the year.
- One of the official languages: Spanish
- Currency: Sol
- 1 USD equals 3.57 Sol
Cost of living in Peru
You will find real estate a tad expensive as compared to other necessities. House rent for two may cost you around $700, groceries around $400, dining out and other activities will cost you $150, and you may be charged $20 for taxis. Public transportation is accessible and economical in Peru. Your total monthly expense would fall around $1800, considering other costs too.
Peru is the right choice for people looking forward to good quality of life and modern amenities at affordable prices.
Popular jobs in Peru
- English language teacher
- Tourism
- International Banking
Thailand
Thailand is one of the favorite tourist destinations and falls on the list of one of the cheapest countries to live and work in. Thailand is located in the center of mainland Southeast Asia. The country is bordered in the southwest by the Andaman Sea, west and northwest by Myanmar, east and northeast by Lao PDR, and southeast by Cambodia.
You will experience hot summer in Thailand between March and mid-May, a rainy season from mid-May to October, and comparatively colder from November to February.
- Official language: Thai
- Currency: Thai Baht
- 1 USD equals 31.11 Thai Baht
Cost of living in Thailand
The cost of living in Thailand is around $600 to $750. The rent and internet will cost $230, food $190, private transport $100, dining out and entertainment cost $75.
Popular jobs in Thailand
- Foreign Language Teacher
- Hospitality industry
- Scuba Diving Instructor
Cambodia
Southeast Asia is the best region for ex-pats to settle in as it has quite a few cheapest countries. Cambodia, a country from Southeast Asia, is also on the list. It the bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand.
If you are not fond of summer, this place might not be for you, as it is hot most of the year in Cambodia. You will experience monsoons beginning from May to mid-November, and the season is dry from mid-November to April.
- Official language: Khmer
- Currency: Cambodian riel
- 1 USD equals 4110 Cambodian Riel
Cost of living in Cambodia
A two-bedroom apartment for a single person would be worth $380, and electricity cost $92, groceries cost around $230, entertainment cost as reasonable as $191, and tuk-tuks (transportation) worth $38. Adding other utility expenses, the tally would reach $1150 per month.
Popular jobs in Cambodia
- English teacher
- Internships
- Business
Wrap up
With the economy constantly thriving, the list of cheapest countries in the world to live in keeps changing. The cost of living in any country is never stagnant. For further detailed information on visas to live and work in these cheapest countries, you should visit the official website of the respective countries.
Disclaimer
- The rate of each currency against USD is subject to change.
- The cost of living and the rents mentioned are approximate figures.
- Cost of living figures is majorly sourced from International Living.
