There’s a particular kind of relief that comes from moving somewhere new and realizing your money stretches further than you expected. It’s not just about paying less for rent or a coffee, it’s the mental space that opens up when you stop calculating every purchase down to the last cent. Some places manage to combine that financial ease with something harder to measure: an actual sense of contentment among the people who’ve settled there.
A recent global survey of expats sheds light on exactly where that combination shows up most consistently. The results point to a mix of countries across Asia and Latin America, places where the cost of living and genuine day to day happiness seem to move together rather than in opposite directions.
Vietnam
Vietnam has held the top spot for personal finance among expats for five consecutive years[1], according to InterNations Expat Insider data. Nearly nine in ten respondents said they were pleased with the general cost of living, and a similarly high share felt their disposable household income was enough for a comfortable life[1]. That kind of financial comfort tends to stick. More than half of expats there have stayed for five years or longer, and roughly three in ten say they want to remain permanently[1].
The everyday numbers back up the sentiment. Getting around Vietnam is convenient and affordable, with public transport including buses, trains, and motorbike taxis costing around fifty dollars a month[2]. Healthcare is the one area worth planning for carefully. The healthcare system is still working toward universal coverage, so many expats choose private insurance to get access to better facilities and English speaking doctors[2].
Colombia
Colombia climbed into second place on the same finance index, and the jump wasn’t small. The country rose from fifth place in 2024 to second best overall for expats in 2025[3]. That kind of movement usually reflects something real happening on the ground rather than a statistical blip.
The financial confidence among residents there is striking. The vast majority of survey respondents in Colombia said their disposable income was enough to live comfortably, compared with a much lower global average[1]. Daily costs support that feeling. A couple’s living expenses can start at around one thousand British pounds a month, with a restaurant meal costing roughly fourteen pounds and lunch closer to three[4].
Panama
Panama didn’t just perform well on affordability, it topped the entire ranking. InterNations named Panama the best country to live in overall for 2025[5]. That’s a notable distinction, since finishing first in personal finance and first overall at the same time is rare.
Part of the appeal lies outside the capital. The Azuero Peninsula, with its tropical climate and spectacular scenery, has become increasingly popular with expats looking for a slower pace[4]. Latin American countries in general stood out this year for how welcoming they felt to newcomers. Expats in the region’s top performers consistently praise the friendliness of locals and how easy it is to integrate and build friendships[5].
China
China’s appearance on this list surprises a lot of people, since it rarely comes up in casual conversations about affordable expat life. Yet the data is consistent. China was one of only two new arrivals in the top ten overall ranking for 2025, alongside Malaysia[6].
China placed fourth specifically on the Personal Finance index[7], a strong showing that reflects how far a paycheck or savings can go in many Chinese cities outside the priciest coastal hubs. The country’s inclusion also signals a broader shift. Analysts pointed to a pattern where people moving to Asian and Latin American countries are reporting notably positive experiences[3], and China fits squarely into that trend.
Thailand
Thailand has long had a reputation as an affordable place to relocate, and recent rankings confirm it’s holding steady. Thailand came in fourth place overall in the 2025 rankings, just ahead of Vietnam[5]. That combination of a strong overall score and solid finance ranking is part of what keeps drawing new arrivals every year.
Housing plays a big role in the appeal. Respondents widely reported that housing was both easy to find and inexpensive, which stood out as a major draw[5]. Bangkok and Chiang Mai get most of the attention, but smaller cities and coastal towns offer even lower costs for those willing to trade a bit of urban convenience for savings.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s ranking hides a lot of internal variety, which is worth understanding before picking a city. Indonesia ranks high on financial satisfaction, though experiences differ widely across its islands, with Bali as the best known magnet while Jakarta and Yogyakarta offer entirely different lifestyles[8].
Prices that look great in theory don’t always hold up once you factor in where you actually live. Costs can look appealing on paper, but the specific neighborhood you choose changes the monthly budget quickly[8]. Traffic and infrastructure gaps are the trade off in some areas. Distance and uneven infrastructure in certain neighborhoods can eat up time, so staying close to daily needs tends to matter more than chasing a scenic view[8].
Philippines
The Philippines rounds out the Southeast Asian cluster that dominates this year’s affordability rankings. The Philippines placed seventh on the Personal Finance index[7], joining Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia as the region’s strongest performers.
Asian countries dominated the affordability list this year, with five of the top ten spots going to Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines[1]. English is widely spoken across much of the country, which tends to smooth the early months of settling in for many newcomers, even though the survey didn’t single that factor out specifically for its finance ranking.
Mexico
Mexico offers a rare combination for many Western expats: genuine proximity to home along with noticeably lower costs. Mexico ranked third overall on the list of best countries to live in for 2025[5]. That’s a meaningful jump given how competitive the top of the list has become.
The numbers behind that ranking are concrete. A separate study found Mexico to be the least expensive country in terms of overall cost of living, with the cheapest average utility bills and gym memberships among the countries surveyed[9]. Beyond the savings, the country’s proximity and easier mobility for North American movers add practical appeal on top of the lower day to day cost base[10].
Malaysia
Malaysia rounds out the top nine after making a fresh appearance in the overall top ten this year. Malaysia was one of two new arrivals in the top ten for 2025, landing in tenth place overall[6]. On the finance index specifically, it placed ninth, a solid showing for a country often overlooked in favor of its flashier Southeast Asian neighbors.
Housing affordability is one of its biggest selling points. Housing costs in Malaysia run far cheaper than in neighboring countries like Singapore or Thailand, yet the quality remains high[2]. Kuala Lumpur in particular offers a modern, well connected base without the price tag typically attached to a major Southeast Asian capital.
These nine countries share a common thread beyond just low prices. In each one, a large share of residents report that their income actually covers a comfortable life, not just a bare minimum existence. That distinction, between merely cheap and genuinely livable, seems to be what separates a place people tolerate from a place people choose to stay.
