The cheapest cities to live

These are the cheapest cities in our data, ranked by cost of living — a Numbeo-based index where New York City = 100, so a city scoring 40 is roughly 60% cheaper than NYC. Cheap alone is a trap, so each row also shows how the city reads on safety and healthcare. The list spans regions; for the cheapest place within one continent, the assessment can filter to it.

CityCost index (NYC=100)

Ranked from our city + feasibility data (banded, directional). Visa and tax rules change — verify current rules before you move. Updated 2026-06.

A low number is a starting point, not a verdict. The cheapest city that fits your life is rarely the cheapest city on the list — affordability has to survive contact with safety, healthcare, community, and whether you'd actually want to be there. That's what the assessment reads for.

Common questions

What is the cheapest city to live in?

By our cost index (Numbeo cost + rent, NYC = 100), the cheapest cities cluster in parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe — the ranking above lists them in order. The cheapest that's right for you depends on safety, healthcare, visa access, and fit, which is why each row shows more than just the price.

How is the cost index calculated?

It's a Numbeo-based cost-of-living-plus-rent index normalized so New York City = 100. A city at 45 is roughly 55% cheaper than NYC for a comparable lifestyle. Figures are directional and move with exchange rates — verify current local costs before you commit.

Which of these fits you?

A list is a place to start, not a way to choose. The assessment reads every city through your relocation profile — and surfaces the ones that fit the life you’re trying to build.

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