Guides
Cost of Living
Real expenses compared to US cities — rent, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and more.
More Cost of Living
15 Cities Where Americans Live Well on $2,000 a Month
15 cities where $2,000 a month covers rent, food, healthcare, and a genuinely good life.
Median Home Prices in 21 Countries vs. the USA: The Real Numbers for 2025-2026
14 of 20 countries are cheaper than the US median of $420K. Real data from national statistics offices, not travel blogs.
Cost of Living in Spain vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: rent, groceries, healthcare, taxes compared city by city — Madrid vs NYC, Valencia vs Austin. Spain is 37% cheaper overall.
Cost of Living in Portugal vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Lisbon vs NYC, Porto vs Denver. Portugal is 42% cheaper overall with the 3rd safest country ranking and universal healthcare.
Cost of Living in Mexico vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: CDMX vs NYC, Mérida vs Austin. Mexico is 50%+ cheaper with $30 doctor visits and $2 street tacos — and it's a 3-hour flight home.
Cost of Living in Thailand vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Bangkok vs NYC, Chiang Mai vs Austin. Thailand is 84% cheaper with world-class hospitals at 85% below US prices.
Cost of Living in Italy vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Rome vs NYC, Naples vs Chicago. Italy is 28% cheaper overall with WHO #2-ranked healthcare and a €100K flat tax for new residents.
Cost of Living in France vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Paris vs NYC, Lyon vs Denver. France is 30% cheaper overall — and families save $15K–$30K/year on childcare alone.
Cost of Living in Japan vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Tokyo vs NYC, Osaka vs Denver. Japan is 24% cheaper with the world's best transit, $6 ramen lunches, and universal healthcare.
Cost of Living in the UK vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: London vs NYC, Manchester vs Chicago. The NHS alone saves $10K–$17K/year — and UK cities outside London are genuinely affordable.
Cost of Living in Germany vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Berlin vs NYC, Munich vs SF. The €63 Deutschlandticket, universal healthcare, and free university make Germany 30-40% cheaper overall.
Cost of Living in the Netherlands vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Amsterdam vs NYC, Rotterdam vs Chicago. The DAFT visa, 30% tax ruling, and world's best cycling infrastructure make the Netherlands uniquely accessible for Americans.
Cost of Living in Australia vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Sydney vs NYC, Melbourne vs Chicago. Australia is expensive — but Medicare, superannuation, and 4 weeks paid leave change the math.
Cost of Living in Colombia vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Medellín vs Denver, Bogotá vs Chicago. Colombia is 60-70% cheaper with $1,500/month comfortable budgets and a digital nomad visa.
Cost of Living in Ireland vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Dublin vs NYC, Cork vs Denver. Ireland surprises — higher rent than expected, but HSE healthcare and EU market access tip the balance.
Cost of Living in Panama vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Panama City vs Miami, Boquete vs Asheville. A dollarized economy, Pensionado discounts, and no income tax on foreign earnings.
Cost of Living in the Philippines vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Manila vs NYC, Cebu vs Austin. The Philippines is 75-80% cheaper with SRRV from age 35 and English everywhere.
Cost of Living in Switzerland vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Zurich vs NYC, Bern vs Denver. The most expensive country on our list — but Swiss salaries, public transit, and quality of life are unmatched.
Cost of Living in New Zealand vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Auckland vs Seattle, Wellington vs Portland. New Zealand is 15-20% cheaper outside Auckland, with ACC coverage and stunning quality of life.
Cost of Living in South Korea vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Seoul vs NYC, Busan vs Chicago. South Korea is 30-40% cheaper with world-class transit, $3 subway rides, and the jeonse deposit system.
Cost of Living in Costa Rica vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: San José vs Denver, Tamarindo vs San Diego. Costa Rica is 40-50% cheaper with Pura Vida healthcare, no military budget, and the easiest LATAM visa path.
Cost of Living in Ecuador vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: Cuenca vs Tucson, Quito vs Denver. Ecuador is 60-70% cheaper, uses the US dollar, and offers $1,400/month retirement visas with senior discounts on everything.