6 Cheap Countries To Live Abroad With an Average Salary
Written by
Daria Uhlig
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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The term “living abroad” might conjure images of American executives and well-heeled retirees, but you don’t have to be wealthy to live outside the U.S. In some countries, you can live quite comfortably on the typical American salary of $65,000 to $70,000 without giving up U.S.-style conveniences.
Here are six counties to live abroad on an average salary, along with cost of living comparisons and currency exchange rates.
Mexico
- Cost of living: 49.7% lower, including rent
- Exchange rate: $1 = 19.43 pesos
International Living magazine estimated that over 1 million Americans live in Mexico, with the largest concentration residing in the Lake Chapala area. The lake itself is a major draw, as are charming downtowns that attract shoppers, diners and culture and sports enthusiasts.
Other cities popular with expats include Tulum, a resort town located on the Riviera Maya, and the Spanish-colonial city of Mérida. Mérida is a major metropolis with a low crime rate and an international airport, located on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Costa Rica
- Cost of living: 33.7% lower
- Exchange rate: $1 = 506.07 colónes
High tariffs add to the cost of living in Costa Rica, but low prices on essential professional services such as healthcare balance things out.
If your budget is $2,500 or less, San Ramón is one city International Living recommends because of its conveniences and access to Costa Rica’s capital, San José. Dominical, on the Pacific coast, is also popular with expats. They tend to live in the mountains a few minutes outside of the town’s center.
For more upscaling living, consider towns like Brasilito, Liberia and Flamingo, located in the Guanacaste province, which sits along The Gold Coast. Here you’ll find a more resort-like atmosphere along with international schools.
Peru
- Cost of living: 62.2% lower
- Exchange rate: $1 = 3.79 soles
Peru is increasingly popular among expats — and with good reason.
The capital city of Lima is where you’ll find the most job opportunities and conveniences and the largest population of expats, according to International Living. But “The White City” of Arequipa, home of the Plaza de Armas and Basilica Cathedral, and bisected by Chili River, also has U.S.-style shopping plus plenty of cultural and entertainment opportunities.
For a smaller-town experience near the coast, consider Mancora, in Northern Peru. It’s a busy tourist area with beautiful beaches, but you’ll have to travel a bit for modern healthcare and other conveniences.
Spain
- Cost of living: 33.2% lower
- Exchange rate: $1 = 0.89 euro
Although Barcelona and Madrid have long been popular among expats, Spain has many other cities and towns well worth considering.
Sitges, which International Living notes is known as the “Fire island of Europe,” is an artsy LGBTQ+-friendly town with all the night life you could ask for, plus over a dozen beaches and Garraf National Park.
For a quieter lifestyle, Miraflores de la Sierra, about an hour’s bus ride from Madrid, could fit the bill, and at lower cost. It’s a medieval mountain village with lots of opportunities for hiking and rock climbing.
Greece
- Cost of living: 38.8% lower
- Exchange rate: $1 = 0.89 euro
Greece is one of the most romanticized countries for people considering moving abroad, though International Living warns that the off-season — November through March — gets desolate on the islands. However, there are exceptions.
Crete, for example, is the country’s largest island and offers expats everything from ancient ruins like the palace of Knossos to Elafonisi Beach, known for its pink sand. Expect a traditional Greek lifestyle here, with less tourism than you’ll find elsewhere — a bonus for year-round residents, because it means businesses are more likely to be open year-round.
Another good choice for year-round living is Siros, the administrative seat of the Cyclades island group that includes Mykonos and Santorino. Siros is also a cultural hub with relatively easy access to Athens.
Thailand
- Cost of living: 54% lower
- Exchange rate: $1 = 33.08 bahts
If you’re looking for a more exotic experience, Thailand offers one, along with a tropical climate and a thriving expat community.
The capital city of Bangkok is a natural choice for expats who want the conveniences and high-quality healthcare of a world-class city.
About an hour from Bangkok by plane, the northern Thai town of Chiang Mai provides a different experience. Although you’ll find plenty of modern conveniences and healthcare here, according to International Living, Chiang Mai also has hundreds of Buddhist temples and is surrounded by a moat and the remains of the wall that once surrounded the city.
For the tropical beach experience, Koh Samui might be your best option. Nicknamed “Coconut Island” because of its thriving coconut trade, Koh Samui is a quieter resort area with stunning beaches and excellent fishing.
Final Thoughts on Living Abroad on an Average Salary
American expats across the globe enjoy costs of living well below the amounts they need to get by in the U.S.
Although real estate sometimes costs more per square foot outside the U.S., rents are much cheaper. Renting, then, is the better option for most. If you’ll need a car, consider shipping your own and/or putting down roots near a larger city, as cars and gas are also pricey abroad.
Editor’s note: Currency exchange rates were sourced from Google Finance. Cost of living data was sourced from Numbeo. All data is accurate as of May 19, 2025.
More From GOBankingRates
Sources
- Social Security Administration, “National Average Wage Index.”
- International Living, “The Best Expat Communities to Live in Mexico as a U.S. Citizen in 2025.”
- International Living, “Costa Rica On A Budget: Where to Live For $2500 or Less – IL.”
- International Living, “Three Places to Live in Peru; Two to Avoid.”
- International Living, “Five Places to Live in Spain; Two to Avoid – International Living.”
- International Living, “Best Greek Islands: Four Greek Islands You Can Live On All Year-Round.”
- International Living, “The 5 Best Places for Expats to Live in Thailand.”
