Where Are The Cheapest Places To Live In And Relocate To In 2023?

As the cost of living goes up, you dream of living abroad. You may be tempted to move to another country to enjoy a better standard of living, but don’t think you can afford it? Your wanderlust may not need a reality check after all. So where are the cheapest places to live as an expat in 2023?

We’ve gone around the world to find some of the cheapest places to live in and relocate to in 2023 – from popular expat countries like the USA and the UK, to further afield. We’ve crunched the data from various sources to come up with our own top cheapest places to live in and relocate to as an expat in 2023, while still being able to enjoy a high standard of living. We’ve considered various factors, such as GDP, unemployment rate, housing and rent, healthcare and economic growth. Here is our pick of the best places around the world with the lowest cost of living.

Top 6 cheapest places to live in and relocate to as an expat in 2023

There’s never been a better time to pack your bags and move to another country. Whether you’re thinking of retiring abroad, you’ve become one of the 58% of people who works remotely or semi-remotely, or you’re trying to escape the cost of living crisis in your home country, you’ll find all sorts of opportunities to live and work in other countries.

In this article, we’ll show you our top picks for the cheapest countries to live and work as an expat. These are countries where you can expect a good expat salary, while also experiencing a low cost of living. So, if you’re looking for a country where you can give your children a great education, enjoy a high standard of healthcare, and have the opportunity to take part in a foreign culture, all for a low price, these might be some of your best options. What do you think – do you agree with our picks?

What makes these places the cheapest to live in and relocate to in 2023?

We’ve crunched the data from various sources, such as OECD research and trade data. To come up with the top cheapest places to live in and relocate to, we’ve considered the following factors, while still being able to enjoy a high standard of living:

1. Nominal GDP
2. GDP per capita
3. Unemployment rate
4. Cost of consumer goods
5. Cost of rent and housing
6. Economic growth
7. Inflation
8. Healthcare costs

6/ Spain

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$1,280.5 billion
GDP per capita: US$27,179.5
Unemployment rate: 15.5%

It’s no wonder more than 300,000 British expats have already chosen to make Spain their home. With the fifth-largest economy in Europe, a high degree of freedom, and a digital nomad scheme in the works, Spain offers everything you’d expect from a developed nation in Western Europe, at a fraction of the price.

Consumer goods

The cost of products in Spain is about 85% of the OECD average. The general cost of living is therefore more than 21% lower than in the UK.

Rent and housing

Nominal house prices in Spain are below the EU average, which makes Spanish property an attractive investment for overseas buyers. That said, real house prices (i.e. the cost of property scaled against average income) are slightly higher, making Spanish property harder for first-time buyers to purchase than in the UK. The overall cost of rent, however, is around 33% cheaper than in the UK.

Healthcare

Spain has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Healthcare is free for anyone living and working in Spain, although anyone living for 90 days or longer will need private health insurance, even if they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Growth

Inflation in Spain has just reached its highest point in almost 40 years, climbing to 9.8%. This will likely impact the cost of living, although for now prices remain relatively low in Spain.

Summary

Spain combines a high standard of living with low living costs, making it the ideal European country for expats who want to make the most of their incomes. Unemployment is gradually decreasing from its peak of 27% in 2013, and a new raft of white-collar jobs focused on the metropolitan cities offer fantastic job opportunities for expats. Like many developed nations, Spain is feeling the effects of high inflation, but it will be a while before this causes the cost of living to reach the same standard as other developed EU countries.

5/ South Africa

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$419 billion
GDP per capita: US$7,055.04
Unemployment rate: 32.9%

One of the top 10 countries in the world for Brits to move after Brexit, sun-swept South Africa is also one of the cheapest places to live as an expat.

Consumer goods

The cost of consumer goods in South Africa is 55% of the OECD average, with the cost of living around 45% cheaper than in the UK.

Rent and housing

Expats can also expat to pay less than half the amount of rent as the UK. Those looking to buy property will find some of the lowest house prices in the developed world, with real house prices up to one-third cheaper than the OECD average.

Healthcare

South Africa has a subsidised public healthcare system, which pays up to 40% of a patient’s healthcare costs. All in all, healthcare costs are fairly cheap, but are means tested based on income, so higher earners can expect to pay more. Also, waiting lists can be very long.

Growth

At 6.3%, the rate of inflation in South Africa is slightly higher than in the UK, but still lower than the World Bank global average of 8.1%.

Summary

South Africa is just emerging as a developed nation, but still has a way to go. In 2023, the country finally achieved a ‘stable’ outlook from Moody’s, at a time when the world bank increased its growth projections for South Africa.

The country is still rife with poverty and inequality – however, expats who move to South Africa in an already stable financial position, may feel they’ve ‘got in on the ground floor’, with the country on track for increasing development and prosperity. More than half of citizens live in South Africa’s rapidly-growing cities, with Cape Town, Johannesburg and Polokwane ranking highest in terms of human development.

4/ Costa Rica

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$64.28 billion
GDP per capita: US$12,472.44
Unemployment rate: 18%

Costa Rica popped onto every expat’s radar last year, when it announced it would be starting a digital nomad scheme. So what’s the attraction to this Central American country? Well, besides incredible coastlines and picturesque scenery, Costa Rica is a fast-developing nation with a high quality of life for expats.

Consumer goods

Costa Rica is at the bottom end of the OECD’s price level index, coming in at 59% of the global average for consumer prices. That makes the cost of living in Costa Rica some 16.5% lower than in the UK.

Rent and housing

Costa Rican real estate is some of the most affordable in North America, and expats will find that their money goes much further in this tropical paradise – although the quality may not be quite they are used to in more developed nations. The cost of rent is around 64% cheaper than in the UK, putting it at around 83% of the OECD average.

Healthcare

Costa Rica provides a high-quality, universal healthcare system, which is open to all citizens, permanent residents and visitors. Patients are expected to pay for some procedures, which often come with long waiting lists, and so many expats in Costa Rica choose to take out international medical insurance. It’s also worth bearing in mind unvaccinated travellers to Costa Rica will be expected to have international health insurance when they arrive.

Growth

The World Bank calls Costa Rica “a success story in terms of development.” GDP growth in Costa Rica hit an all-time high of 10.6% in late 2021 as the nation recovered from the COVID-19 crisis. Compared to other nations, the rate of inflation in Costa Rica is exceptionally low and still falling – down from 12.13% in August 2022 to just 0.88% in May 2023.

Summary

While many know Costa Rica as a great holiday destination, the Central American nation has quickly developed into a viable place for expats to move and live. With a low cost of living – which is expected to remain low – and a digital nomad scheme on the horizon, Costa Rica could soon become a top destination for expats from around the world.

3/ Brazil

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$1.609 trillion
GDP per capita: US$7,507.16
Unemployment rate: 8.5%

With the 12th largest economy in the world, Brazil has come on leaps and bounds over recent decades – and with its low cost of living combined with high industry, it’s a desirable destination for expats in 2023.

Consumer goods

Equal to South Africa, the cost of consumer goods in Brazil is 55% that of the OECD average. The overall cost of living is around 40% cheaper than in the UK.

Rent and housing

Expats can enjoy incredibly cheap rent in Brazil, with average rent almost 72% lower than in the UK. Real estate prices in Brazil are the lowest in the OECD area, at around 55% of the OECD average.

Growth

Brazil was badly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, which caused credit ratings agencies to downgrade their appraisal of Brazil. As of 2023, the agencies have upgraded their outlook for Brazil to positive. Like many other countries, inflation in Brazil skyrocketed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reaching a high of 12% in 2022, but inflation is now falling, and is at 3.94% as of May 2023. Altogether, Brazil remains one of the world’s largest economies thanks to its strong production, manufacturing and natural resources sectors.

Healthcare

Brazil offers free universal healthcare, which expats can benefit from too. However, this system is under-funded and rife with bureaucracy, and so nearly 25% of Brazilians choose private healthcare to benefit from faster, higher-quality treatment.

Summary

Brazil is attracting an increasing number of expats, and for good reason. With an extremely low cost of living, a strong economy – and of course, unparalleled cultural experiences – Brazil is a fantastic for families who want to maximise their incomes.

2/ Indonesia

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$1.186 trillion
GDP per capita: US$4,332.71
Unemployment rate: 5.45%

With its beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities and vibrant culture, it may seem almost too good to be true that the tropical paradise of Indonesia is high up on our list of cheapest place to live in 2023 – let’s break down the reasons why.

Consumer goods

Indonesia has a price level index of 39%, meaning the cost of consumer products are more than 60% cheaper than the OECD’s global average. The cost of living overall in Indonesia is around 52% lower than in the UK.

Rent and housing

Indonesia ranks at the lower end of the scale for housing and rent costs, with the cost of rent roughly 70% lower than in the UK. Real estate prices are the third-lowest overall in the OECD.

Growth

Like many other countries, inflation in Indonesia has shot up over the last couple of years. However, inflation in Indonesia is on a downward trend. It is currently at 4%, and expected to fall to 2% over the next few years. This has not stunted economic development in Indonesia, and the economy is still expected to grow by around 5% in 2024.

Summary

Indonesia is reaching the end of a 20-year development plan, which saw the country boom within a number of key performance metrics. It is now the 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank, and the 15th largest economy in the world overall, with poverty now below 10%.

By far the most developed region of Indonesia is the capital city of Jakarta, but the region of Yogyakarta is not far behind – both combine Indonesia’s low cost of living with an diverse, metropolitan culture.

1/ Türkiye

At a glance

Nominal GDP: US$1.029 trillion
GDP per capita: US$11,931
Unemployment rate: 10.2%

It’s no wonder 1.3 million expats already call this country their home – for the cheapest country to move as an expat in 2023 is none other than Türkiye! Ancient history meets sun-swept beaches, great food is in abundance wherever you go, and all for exceptionally low prices. If you’re looking for the cheapest place to move in 2023, Türkiye is the place for you.

Consumer goods

Türkiye ranks at the bottom of the OECD’s price level index, meaning it has the cheapest consumer goods of any country (with the exception of India) in the OECD. On the downside, Türkiye has exceptionally high inflation (43% as of April 2023), but given the staggeringly low costs of consumer goods, it will take Türkiye a long time to become as expensive as other European and Asian countries.

Rent and housing

Rent in Türkiye is exceptionally cheap. The cost of renting across Türkiye is 71% lower on average than in the UK. The price to rent a luxurious three-bedroom apartment in the centre of Istanbul, which is Europe’s largest city, is US$1,129.20 per month – compare that to London, where it is close to US$5,000, and you’ll see why Türkiye is becoming so appealing to expats! Having said that, Türkiye actually has the most expensive house prices in the whole of the OECD, so if you’re looking to buy, you should be prepared to pay a lot of money for property.

Healthcare

Türkiye is becoming known around the world as a destination for medical tourism. That’s not to say Türkiye has the best healthcare system in the world – in fact, it tends to rank in the middle of the table for most healthcare metrics – however, it does boast very affordable healthcare. Indeed, the cost of healthcare in Türkiye is among the lowest in the world, and this includes the cost of private healthcare.

Growth

Türkiye is currently the 19th largest economy in the world. The period between 2016 to 2017 was one of exceptional growth in the Turkish economy. That growth has slowed down in recent years. The growth rate in 2023 is expected to be 3.2%, followed by 4.3% in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Summary

Türkiye is one of the world’s rising stars of trade and industry. Several macroeconomic factors are helping to support the country’s growth – it’s neutrality in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the cooling of tensions in neighbouring Syria, and its advantageous position at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Black Sea all contribute to Türkiye’s growing economy and low cost of living.

Inflation may be high, but Türkiye remains incredibly affordable for expat families, meaning now is the perfect time to move to this beautiful and historic country.

Cheapest places to live in the USA as an expat

Living in the USA can be an incredible experience, but it comes with a high cost. Still, there are several major cities (with a population over 500,000) where the cost of living is relatively low compared to the USA average.

One common measure of inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.

These are our top 10 cheapest places to live in the USA in 2023:

Sources:
* salaryexpert.com
** zillow.com
*** payscale.com

Cheapest cities to live in the UK as an expat

The United Kingdom is currently experiencing a cost of living crisis. Low wage growth, combined with high inflation and skyrocketing energy costs, has roughly doubled the cost of consumer goods in many parts of the UK.

But if you’re thinking of moving to or living in the UK as an expat, don’t be put off. There are still many areas that offer a relatively low cost of living. And, if you’re thinking of buying a property in the UK, the good news is there are many parts of the UK where family homes are still affordable.

According to the 2023 Numbeo cost of living index, combined with property data from Rightmove and salary data from Plumpot, these are the cheapest cities to live in the United Kingdom:

Cheapest places to live in London as an expat

You probably already know that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living Report 2021 ranked it the 17th most expensive city in the world.

But that high price is justified – London is Europe’s, and indeed one of the world’s most diverse cities, with 40.6% of the population born outside of the UK.

If you’re thinking of moving to London as an expat, you’ll be glad to know there are many areas where the cost of living is substantially lower. To help you decide where to move to and live in London, we’ve ranked the 10 cheapest London boroughs using average rent costs per month.

Source:
* home.co.uk

Tips to help you move abroad cheaply

The cost of moving abroad depends largely on where you’re moving from and to, and how much you’re taking with you. As a rough guide, international shipping company 1st Move International gives the following estimates to move the contents of a three bedroom house internationally from the UK:

• Sydney – £2,897
• New York – £4,758
• Los Angeles – £5,468
• Cape Town – £1,550
• Dubai – £2,224

As moving abroad will likely cost several thousand pounds, you’ll want to be sure you’re saving money wherever possible. Here are some tips:

1/ Sell your furniture and buy again locally

International shipping for large household items can be very expensive. You may also have to pay customs duties.

Unless you’re particularly attached to your furniture, you may be better off selling it online or at auction, then using the money to buy new pieces when you arrive in your new country.

2/ Work as a team

During your initial relocation period, you may need to travel back and forth between your current and future home – to deal with paperwork or attend job interviews, for example. This could rack considerable air fares.

It can pay to formulate a plan with family, friends or other expats looking to relocate so that the least number of people travel between destinations. That way, everyone can save a bit of money on unnecessary trips.

3/ Use local movers

Looking to move items from the airport or harbour your new country to your front door? Don’t rely on shipping companies from your home country – they are likely to charge more, and aren’t guaranteed to have the local expertise you need.

Instead, contact a local haulier for the best local rates and the extra reassurance of having someone who knows your new home better than you do.

4/ Take advantage of your local embassy

When applying for residency in a new country, you may have to visit an embassy to fill in paperwork.

It may be cheaper (and faster) to do this in your own country. Assuming the country you’re relocating to has an embassy in your country, you may be able to fill in and pay for your residency paperwork before you travel.

5/ Get everything sorted before you arrive

Whether it’s finding a new job, putting the deposit down on a rental property, or opening a bank account, make sure you do as much of the paperwork as you can before you travel to your new home.

Not only will this take a lot of the stress out of moving abroad, it will also help ensure you don’t waste money when you arrive. Living in a hotel can be very expensive compared to renting a property.

Another essential to sort out before traveling is international health insurance. This will give you access to high-quality, private treatment, so you won’t be stuck on a waiting list or have to pay expensive medical fees.

Wherever you move, we can help you safeguard your health

We’ve been providing international health insurance to expatriates like you for 30 years and in over 180 countries. Our international health insurance plans are custom-made to provide high-quality cover for a wide range of illnesses, at the right price for your budget – and with flexibility to suit your needs. 

 If you’re looking to begin a new life in a foreign country, don’t compromise on your health. Speak to William Russell and see how international health insurance could help to protect you and your family.