Cost of Living by Country in 2025 — Data-Driven Global Guide
TL;DR — The cost of living varies by a factor of 1 to 10 between the world’s cheapest and most expensive countries. This guide ranks 10 key destinations using official World Bank income data (GNI per capita, PPP, 2024) crossed with Numbeo’s cost index — giving you a clearer picture than price indexes alone. For someone earning a Western income remotely, Vietnam, Indonesia and Morocco offer the highest value in the world right now.
Methodology — Why This Guide Is Different
Most cost of living comparisons use a single index. This guide crosses two independent data sources:
- World Bank GNI per capita (PPP, 2024) — measures the average local income in purchasing power terms. This tells you how expensive a country feels to locals.
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index (2024) — measures the actual price level for goods and services relative to New York City (= 100). This tells you how expensive a country feels to you as a foreigner.
The gap between these two figures is your real opportunity as an expat or digital nomad. A country where locals earn little but prices are also very low is the sweet spot for anyone earning in USD or EUR.
Sources: World Bank Open Data — NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD (2024); Numbeo Cost of Living Rankings 2024 (community data, indicative).
Global Comparison Table — 10 Countries Ranked by Value for Expats
| Country | GNI/capita PPP (USD) ¹ | CoL Index ² | Rent Index ² | Groceries Index ² | Restaurant Index ² | Local Purchasing Power ² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 76,180 | 68.7 | 24.6 | 64.9 | 66.9 | 138.3 |
| Spain | 57,670 | 51.6 | 23.2 | 50.6 | 55.1 | 104.4 |
| Portugal | 50,730 | 48.8 | 25.2 | 46.9 | 45.6 | 66.4 |
| Poland | 49,540 | 47.3 | 18.4 | 41.1 | 48.1 | 97.1 |
| Mexico | 25,460 | 42.6 | 17.8 | 46.6 | 43.6 | 48.4 |
| Thailand | 23,960 | 38.0 | 13.9 | 44.4 | 25.0 | 45.5 |
| Colombia | 21,890 | 31.7 | 10.9 | 32.8 | 27.0 | 39.9 |
| Morocco | 10,260 | 31.4 | 8.3 | 33.0 | 25.0 | 45.6 |
| Vietnam | 15,850 | 26.4 | 9.9 | 31.8 | 15.6 | 42.5 |
| Indonesia | 16,010 | 26.1 | 9.1 | 33.6 | 15.3 | 29.3 |
¹ World Bank — GNI per capita, PPP (current international $), 2024. URL: data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD ² Numbeo Cost of Living Rankings, 2024 (New York City = 100). Community-sourced data, indicative. URL: numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
The “Expat Value Score” — Our Exclusive Ranking
Standard cost of living indexes tell you prices are low. They don’t tell you how low relative to what locals earn — which is the real measure of your purchasing power advantage as a foreign income earner.
We calculate a simple Expat Value Score: CoL Index ÷ (GNI per capita / 1,000). The lower the score, the greater your advantage as someone earning in USD or EUR.
| Country | CoL Index | GNI/capita (k USD) | Expat Value Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 26.1 | 16.0 | 1.63 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional |
| Vietnam | 26.4 | 15.9 | 1.66 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional |
| Morocco | 31.4 | 10.3 | 3.05 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Colombia | 31.7 | 21.9 | 1.45 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional |
| Thailand | 38.0 | 24.0 | 1.58 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional |
| Mexico | 42.6 | 25.5 | 1.67 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Poland | 47.3 | 49.5 | 0.96 | ⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Portugal | 48.8 | 50.7 | 0.96 | ⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Spain | 51.6 | 57.7 | 0.89 | ⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Germany | 68.7 | 76.2 | 0.90 | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
The Expat Value Score is calculated exclusively by this site using World Bank and Numbeo 2024 data. It measures price level relative to local income — a lower score indicates greater purchasing power advantage for foreign income earners.
Cost of Living by Category
🏠 Housing
Rent is typically the largest single expense. The Numbeo Rent Index (NYC = 100) gives a direct comparison.
| Country | Rent Index | Est. 1-bed city centre/month | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 24.6 | ~$900–1,200 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Portugal | 25.2 | ~$800–1,100 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Spain | 23.2 | ~$750–1,000 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Poland | 18.4 | ~$550–750 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Mexico | 17.8 | ~$450–650 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Thailand | 13.9 | ~$350–550 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Vietnam | 9.9 | ~$250–400 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Colombia | 10.9 | ~$280–420 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Morocco | 8.3 | ~$200–350 | Numbeo 2024 |
| Indonesia | 9.1 | ~$220–380 | Numbeo 2024 |
Rent estimates are derived from Numbeo Rent Index (community data). Actual prices vary significantly by city and neighbourhood.
🍽️ Food
The Numbeo Groceries Index measures supermarket prices. Germany (64.9) costs roughly 2.5 times more for groceries than Vietnam (31.8) or Colombia (32.8).
| Country | Groceries Index | Restaurant Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 64.9 | 66.9 | Highest food costs in this selection |
| Spain | 50.6 | 55.1 | Mid-range, good local markets |
| Portugal | 46.9 | 45.6 | Cheaper than Spain, quality local produce |
| Mexico | 46.6 | 43.6 | Fresh produce very affordable |
| Poland | 41.1 | 48.1 | Affordable supermarkets |
| Thailand | 44.4 | 25.0 | Street food dramatically lowers costs |
| Morocco | 33.0 | 25.0 | Local markets highly affordable |
| Colombia | 32.8 | 27.0 | Local restaurants extremely cheap |
| Vietnam | 31.8 | 15.6 | Lowest restaurant prices in this selection |
| Indonesia | 33.6 | 15.3 | Street food culture keeps costs low |
Source: Numbeo Cost of Living Rankings 2024.
🚌 Transport
Public transport monthly pass estimates based on Numbeo city data (2024):
| Country | Est. monthly transport pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | ~$86 | Efficient nationwide network |
| Spain | ~$40 | Major cities well covered |
| Portugal | ~$40 | Lisbon + Porto metro affordable |
| Poland | ~$25 | Very affordable public transport |
| Mexico | ~$15 | City buses cheap, Uber available |
| Thailand | ~$20 | BTS/MRT in Bangkok affordable |
| Colombia | ~$18 | TransMilenio Bogotá affordable |
| Morocco | ~$15 | Trams in Casablanca + Rabat |
| Vietnam | ~$8 | Motorbike culture, very low transport costs |
| Indonesia | ~$10 | Gojek/Grab dominate, affordable |
🏥 Healthcare
For expats without local employer coverage. Estimates for basic private international health insurance (single adult, 2024):
| Country | Est. monthly private insurance | Public system access |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | ~$150–300 | Yes (statutory insurance required) |
| Spain | ~$80–180 | Yes (NIE + registration required) |
| Portugal | ~$70–150 | Yes (SNS, free for residents) |
| Poland | ~$50–100 | Yes (ZUS contributions) |
| Mexico | ~$60–130 | Private clinics widely available |
| Thailand | ~$50–100 | Excellent private hospitals |
| Colombia | ~$50–90 | Good private clinics in cities |
| Morocco | ~$40–80 | Private clinics recommended |
| Vietnam | ~$40–80 | Good private hospitals in HCMC + Hanoi |
| Indonesia | ~$40–80 | Bali + Jakarta well covered privately |
Insurance estimates based on international health insurance market rates 2024. Actual premiums depend on age, coverage level and provider.
🎭 Leisure
Monthly estimate for a moderate lifestyle: gym membership, 4 restaurant meals, basic entertainment.
| Country | Est. monthly leisure budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | ~$350–500 | Gyms ~$30–50/month, dining moderate |
| Spain | ~$200–350 | Affordable dining, beach lifestyle |
| Portugal | ~$180–300 | Good value for quality of life |
| Poland | ~$150–250 | Affordable nightlife + culture |
| Mexico | ~$120–220 | Excellent food scene, affordable |
| Thailand | ~$100–200 | Nightlife + wellness culture low cost |
| Colombia | ~$90–160 | Vibrant social scene, low cost |
| Morocco | ~$80–150 | Café culture, affordable leisure |
| Vietnam | ~$70–130 | Lowest leisure costs in this selection |
| Indonesia | ~$80–150 | Bali lifestyle affordable by Western standards |
Key Insight — The Real Opportunity in 2025
The CPI data from World Bank reveals something important. Colombia (CPI 196.3) and Vietnam (CPI 189.7) have seen the steepest price increases since 2010 — nearly doubling. Yet their cost of living indexes remain among the lowest globally. This means that while locals feel the inflation acutely (their purchasing power — 39.9 and 42.5 respectively — reflects this), prices are still dramatically lower than Western levels for anyone earning in USD or EUR.
Thailand stands out for the opposite reason: its CPI of 123.0 is the lowest in this selection, meaning prices have barely moved since 2010. Combined with a solid CoL index of 38.0 and good infrastructure, Thailand remains the most stable low-cost destination for long-term expats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest country to live in among these 10 in 2025? Indonesia and Vietnam have the lowest Cost of Living Index scores (26.1 and 26.4 respectively, vs NYC = 100), according to Numbeo 2024 data. Both countries also have low rent indexes (9.1 and 9.9), making them the most affordable overall for a foreign income earner. World Bank GNI data confirms that local incomes in both countries remain well below $20,000 PPP annually, which keeps everyday prices low.
Which country offers the best value for digital nomads and expats in 2025? Based on our Expat Value Score (Cost of Living Index ÷ local GNI), Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia score highest. All four combine very low price levels with reasonable infrastructure, growing expat communities and improving visa options. Thailand additionally benefits from the lowest inflation since 2010 (CPI 123.0 — World Bank 2024), making it the most stable choice long-term.
Is Portugal still affordable for expats in 2025? Portugal remains significantly cheaper than Germany, the UK or France — its Cost of Living Index is 48.8 vs Germany’s 68.7 (Numbeo 2024). However, its GNI per capita has risen to $50,730 PPP (World Bank 2024), reflecting a maturing economy. Rent in Lisbon and Porto has increased substantially in recent years. Portugal offers good value within Europe, but Southeast Asia and Latin America remain considerably cheaper overall.
How does Poland compare to Portugal for cost of living? Poland (CoL Index 47.3) and Portugal (48.8) are very close in overall cost level. Poland has a slightly lower rent index (18.4 vs 25.2), meaning accommodation is cheaper. However, Portugal offers better weather, an English-speaking environment and EU residency options that attract more international expats. For purely budget-driven decisions within Europe, Poland has a marginal price advantage.
Why do you cross World Bank data with Numbeo rather than using one source? World Bank GNI per capita (PPP) measures what local residents earn and reflects structural economic conditions — it is an official, audited, internationally comparable figure updated annually. Numbeo reflects actual market prices for goods, services and rent as experienced day-to-day. Neither source alone tells the full story. The combination reveals the gap between local purchasing power and foreigner purchasing power — which is the key metric for anyone moving abroad with a foreign income.
Explore Further
- Cost of Living in Europe by Country →
- Cost of Living in Asia by Country →
- Cost of Living in Latin America →
- Cheapest Countries to Live in 2025 →
- Portugal vs Spain — Full Comparison →
- Thailand vs Vietnam — Full Comparison →
- Mexico vs Colombia — Full Comparison →
Last updated: 2025 | Data: World Bank Open Data (NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD, FP.CPI.TOTL) — 2024; Numbeo Cost of Living Country Rankings — 2024 (community data, indicative). The Expat Value Score is a proprietary metric calculated by this site.