- 1
BengaluruIndia
≈ $750 / moAll-in monthly budgetThe cheapest base here — central one-beds from under US$400 and everyday costs a fraction of the West.
Bengaluru relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 2
Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam
≈ $950 / moAll-in monthly budgetAmong the cheapest big cities going — street phở at ₫40–60k and central one-beds from ₫12M (about US$500) a month.
Ho Chi Minh City relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 3
IstanbulTürkiye
≈ $1,050 / moAll-in monthly budgetA weak lira makes this transcontinental megacity a genuine bargain for euro and dollar earners.
Istanbul relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 4
BangkokThailand
≈ $1,150 / moAll-in monthly budgetBig-city buzz on a small budget — mid-range meals at THB 60–90 and central one-beds from THB 15,000 a month.
Bangkok relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 5
TbilisiGeorgia
≈ $1,150 / moAll-in monthly budgetRemarkably cheap — central flats are often quoted at US$500–900 and monthly living runs around US$500–800.
Tbilisi relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 6
BaliIndonesia
≈ $1,200 / moAll-in monthly budgetNomad-tier cheap — comfortable villas and rupiah-priced living keep monthly costs well under US$1,500.
Bali relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 7
Buenos AiresArgentina
≈ $1,200 / moAll-in monthly budgetIf you earn in dollars, Argentina's volatility makes it remarkably cheap — café-and-culture living on a small budget.
Buenos Aires relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 8
Kuala LumpurMalaysia
≈ $1,250 / moAll-in monthly budgetBig-city comforts at small-city prices — modern central condos and meals for a fraction of Singapore next door.
Kuala Lumpur relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 9
MedellínColombia
≈ $1,300 / moAll-in monthly budgetThe 'City of Eternal Spring' on a small budget — comfortable living comes in well under US$1,500 a month.
Medellín relocation guideSee the cost breakdown - 10
Cape TownSouth Africa
≈ $1,350 / moAll-in monthly budgetStunning value for dollar earners — a Winelands lifestyle and central one-beds for a fraction of Europe's cost.
Cape Town relocation guideSee the cost breakdown
How we ranked
We estimate one person's all-in monthly budget — a modest central one-bedroom plus food, transport and everyday spending — normalised to US dollars for 2026, then rank from lowest to highest. Figures are indicative starting points, not quotes: rents move with neighbourhood and season, so cross-check each city's own cost-of-living guide for local prices.
We score all 24 cities in the Globe Quest atlas and show the top 10 here. As we add destinations, this ranking updates automatically.









