12 Countries Where You Can Live for $500 Per Month in 2025

Living on $500 per month is becoming more and more of a challenge all over the world. If just a few years ago I used to list 20 countries here, now that number is down to just 12. It’s good that we still have options, but the truth is that you can no longer live comfortably anywhere with a budget of just $500 per month.

However, the $500/month will mean A LOT more in my recommended countries than it would in the USA, Canada, Australia or any higher cost of living country in Europe… so you can check them out and consider moving while it’s still doable.

With these in mind, let’s check out my complete list of countries where you can still make ends meet on $500 per month (for one person).

Countries in Asia where you can live on $500 per month

Asia – especially the Southeast Asia region – is your best choice when it comes to living a good life on a tight budget. Here are your options.

1. Bangladesh

Bangladesh offers amazing value for your money and is generally safe if you use common sense. Power failures happen often (sometimes lasting for hours), but you’ll manage if you keep a flashlight and some backup phone power handy.

But when you can rent a small, basic apartment for as little as $150 per month, you should be ready to compromise a bit.

Food is still insanely cheap here, as long as you stick to what locals eat (mostly Indian food). You’ll need around $100 each month for groceries and some street food (meals cost as low as $1).

This leaves you with a hefty $250 each month to cover utilities (around $50), entertainment and various other purchases that will make your life a bit better. So overall doable on a $500/month budget.

English is widely spoken, and locals are very friendly. Just avoid regions with ongoing safety concerns – there has been a bit of unrest in Bangladesh recently, but it shouldn’t affect expats for the most part.

2. Laos

This country offers a good value for money and some amazing natural spots to visit, such as the capital city of Vientiane or Phou Khoun. (You can check out my recommended things to do in Laos here.)

Of course, you will stay in smaller towns where you can rent places for $120 per month, then use the rest for a mix of food (which is really cheap here), entertainment and various other expenses you have each month.

Most folks are welcoming here. English might not be super common everywhere, but a smile goes a long way – and you’ll get plenty of these.

The visa situation for longer stays can get tricky, so check your options depending on the passport you’re holding.

3. Nepal

When it comes to food, Nepal is among the least expensive nations in Asia. Like in all the other locations mentioned above, you can easily live on $500 per month if you cook mostly at home and eat like the locals.

A decent spot on Kathmandu’s outskirts can be around $150. If you need to be downtown, it might jump to $250, which is a bit too much for your budget.

However, Nepal is a haven for outdoor lovers, offering beautiful trekking routes and plenty of natural beauty all year long. Just keep in mind that the altitude can be tough if you’re not used to thinner air – it will take a few months to fully adjust.

Nepal is generally safe, with the locals being friendly towards foreigners and speaking at least decent English.

4. Cambodia

Another country in Asia where you can live comfortably on $500 per month is Cambodia. The country offers a combination of affordable prices in all areas, great cuisine, amazing people and stunning nature spots to visit.

A studio might be around $180 per month, but you can negotiate long-term deals to get an even better price. Food costs will be similar to the other countries recommended above, so overall you should be OK with your monthly budget of $500, as long as you are thrifty.

I still remember eating a mouthwatering burger for just $1.50 in Cambodia in a pretty fancy place in the capital. Not the healthiest meal, but it shows how cheap food can be here – including, sometimes, more Westernized food.

English isn’t super common, but you can survive with translation apps and the universal sign language. Also know that their health care system is not amazing throughout the country (except for the big cities like Phnom Penh). However, for more serious health issues, most expats hop over to Thailand for better care. Keep this in mind, as constant trips can really put a dent into your budget!

5. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island paradise with green hills, beautiful beaches and – most importantly if you’re reading this article – a very low cost of living. I personally consider it to be one of the most underrated countries out there, and truly a hidden gem.

You can live long-term here in a hotel for around $300 per month (including cleaning, new linen, and even breakfast) or rent a studio or small house outside the popular areas for around $150 per month.

People in Sri Lanka are also very friendly and will always help you out whenever needed – this is one of the main reasons why so many digital nomads visit this country.

While safety might be an issue in some areas, with petty theft being on the rise due to the poor economy of the country, as well as the potential for civil unrest and even shortages, Sri Lanka remains a solid option for travelers – especially since lately the government started to fix many of the problems.

6. Vietnam

Yes, Vietnam is still affordable, despite being a digital nomad favorite for a while. However, I don’t think it will be possible to live here on such a low budget for long – maybe 2-3 years max, so take advantage while you still can!

Destinations like Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi might be already too expensive (mainly due to rising rental costs), but you still have plenty of other options where you can find studios and rooms for as low as $200 per month here including all bills (like electricity and water).

The best part, in my opinion – after visiting places like Sam Son or the Quynh Phuong area in Hoàng Mai – is that I’m starting to see more sidewalks (wider, too!) and generally saner traffic. It’s a sign that Vietnam’s infrastructure is catching up nicely.

This country is generally safe, the locals are friendly and speak at least acceptable English, and the expat community is large and active – probably boosted by the amazing Vietnamese women, who are very open-minded.

Overall, you can still live on $500 per month in some places in Vietnam, but it will be tight.

Can you still live in Indonesia, Thailand or The Philippines for $500 per month?

These three countries were always a paradise for cheap living, but unfortunately, it’s no longer possible to live in any of them with a budget of $500 per month. For The Philippines, for example, my article about the cost of living in Cebu concludes that you need a bit over $1,000 to live a decent life.

Maybe, if you’re extremely frugal and you choose to live in a remote village in either of these countries, you might make ends meet, but it won’t be a comfortable life at all.

Therefore, starting this year, I can’t realistically recommend trying to live in either of these places for $500 per month. You can get a bit more in-depth about Thailand in my article talking about living on $500 per month here, or just try any of the other options – pretty soon, I don’t think they’ll be a viable choice anymore.

But if you have a bit more money to spend, these are still great choices, especially because Filipino women are still attracted to foreigners, just like the beautiful Indonesian women or the ladies from Thailand.

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Countries in South America where you can live on $500 per month

While it’s not as easy to live on $500 here as it is in Asia, some very thrifty choices and going for very small villages might still do the trick for you in the countries listed below.

1. Colombia

The first country South American country that I can recommend is Colombia, where you can find a modest place in smaller cities for around $200 per month.

Medellin and Bogota – which are usually the main cities recommended by others – are not doable on a low budget.

Safety might be an issue here though, so try to practice all common sense measures if you choose this country as your destination.

For example, I got robbed in Bogota (and I’m not the only one) – but it was mainly because I was traveling alone, at night, in dark area with no other people around. Avoid doing this and you should be generally fine in Colombia.

But keep in mind that Colombia is not as cheap as some other countries on this list – so $500 per month will only cover basic needs here and little entertainment. But is it doable? Yes, it still is!

2. Bolivia

In Sucre, which is a nice and cheap city to live in, a room can be as low as $100 per month, and an apartment might hover around $200.

I actually recommend Sucre over more popular choices like La Paz or Santa Cruz which are more expensive. Keep in mind that many cities here sit at very high altitudes – headaches are common until you adjust.

Double check it your place has issues with water and electricity (these problems are still common in the smaller towns). Also, Spanish is essential here, as English speakers are rare outside touristy zones.

3. Paraguay

Paraguay is more expensive than ever now, but you can still find small apartments for $200 a month in the smaller cities. But others require a higher budget.

For example, living in Asunción may be more expensive than other places and it will cost about $200 for a studio or $300+ per month for an entire apartment (with all utilities included).

But if we compare this price with other capital cities of South America, then it’s still very affordable.

In my opinion, the best city to live in Paraguay is San Pedro – it has a small town feel with modern amenities and living conditions.

Just like many other places on this list – English fluency may be an issue here so make sure that you have an extra skill that you can use to earn money.

In conclusion, I would recommend this country for retirees or digital nomads who want to explore South America on a budget and have some time to improve their Spanish skills.

Countries in Europe where you can live on $500 per month

Europe is not a cheap place to live in, for sure. But there is more to Europe than the expensive EU and Schengen areas – there are actually some really underrated countries here where you can still make it on $500 per month.

1. Moldova [one of my favorite countries!]

This is a hidden gem in Europe and few people consider it or even know about Moldova. However, it’s one of the cheapest in Europe and $500 a month will take you far.

And when I say “cheapest”, I mean that you can find a room in an apartment for only $100 per month. Renting a studio by yourself can still be done at around $200/month

Apart from Chisinau and Balti, cities in Moldova are usually small and don’t have a lot to offer in terms of things to see and do. This can be a bonus, though, if you need to be ultra focused on your work.

As far as food, rent and transport go, they’re all similarly cheap and you can expect your US dollars (or Euros or any other currency) to take you a long way.

The biggest advantage of living in Moldova is the fact that it’s very easy to travel all over Europe from there as you can buy a bus/train ticket for only $20-$30 to nearby countries. Keep in mind that the country is not in the EU or Schengen, so you might need visas for visiting their neighbors.

As far as safety goes, Moldova is on the trickier side at the moment due to its shared borders with Ukraine. It also has deep Russian ties, despite a pro-European government, so some would consider it risky to visit Moldova, although there’s nothing to spell imminent danger.

I personally believe that it is 100% safe to go there, but in the end, the decision is entirely yours, so make sure to fully research this topic.

2. Serbia

So how much will rent cost? In Belgrade, this price can be as low as $250 for a studio, but I recommend choosing (once more) the smaller cities for a more affordable cost of living. Those close to the Romanian border – Kladovo, Negotin or Majdanpek are good choices and very cheap for long-term living.

While you won’t live like royalty on such a budget, you’ll be able to live a pleasant life overall. Serbians are extremely welcoming and friendly people and, even though not many speak English, they will generally do their best to help.

As far as food goes, Serbians prepare some of the best pastries in the world – and they are extremely cheap. While inflation brought prices up in the past couple of years, it remains one of the few countries in Europe where you might make ends meet on a low budget.

3. Bosnia and Herzegovina

If you are looking for the cheapest place to live in Europe, then Bosnia and Herzegovina is definitely your best option – and very similar to Serbia in terms of living conditions.

The biggest disadvantage of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the fact that this country has a really poor transport system. But for the most part, it’s like living in Serbia but at an even bigger discount.

And just like with my recommendation above, Bosnia has some amazing pastries and street food, perfect for a snack or a quick breakfast at around $1 (pastry + yogurt).

As far as safety goes, Bosnia and Herzegovina is very safe to live in (even if you are traveling solo), although recently there have been some protests in the country. Tourists are still safe though, generally, but make sure to do your due diligence before moving.

Important Notes Before You Pack Your Bags

You can’t just hop in a plane and live the rest of your life in the countries I’ve recommended above. You have to take some other things into consideration – including potential hidden costs, emergencies and visa options.

Make sure you fully do your research before leaving and have a nest egg for emergencies! Here’s what you should consider:

1. Know your visa options. Each country has its own rules and your country of origin can give you more or fewer benefits. For example, most countries let you stay 30 days without extra paperwork, while others want you to apply for special residency or tourist extensions. Check official sources to know how long you’re allowed to legally stay there.

2. Healthcare & Insurance. When you’re on a tight budget, one trip to the hospital could wreck your finances. Investigate whether basic health services are cheap enough to pay out of pocket. If not, it’s best to invest in a decent travel or health insurance policy before you leave (and, as mentioned before, have some money set aside for emergencies).

3. Internet & Infrastructure. Make sure you understand that in some of the countries recommended above, internet is not as reliable as you’d like it to be and even regular power outages could be the norm. Public transportation and the quality of roads overall might also be lacking, so prepare mentally for the potential shock.

4. Consider long term living. In normal circumstances, you will always have a lower monthly average cost if you live long term in a place (12 months and more) vs. short stays. Check out local Facebook groups and local agencies (or even word of mouth once there) to find better accommodation deals and to learn about cheap places for groceries and eating out.

All in all, here’s a breakdown of your expected expenses. They will vary a bit, but this is pretty much the budget I think you’ll have to deal with if you only have $500 each month:

• Rent: $100 – $300
• Food (groceries + cheap eats): $100 – $150
• Utilities & Internet: $30 – $60
• Local Transport: $20 – $50
• Extras (fun, clothes, etc.): $50 – $100

Conclusion

Living on $500 a month in any of these places won’t be luxurious, but it’s definitely more fun than trying to survive on the same amount in the US or Western Europe. Keep in mind the visa situation, set aside some funds for emergencies, and research healthcare options to stay safe.

And if you have a slightly higher budget, then there are even more options – I’ve shared them all in my article about the countries where you can live on $750 per month. I believe that this amount will soon become the new minimum, as $500 is very tight even in the cheapest places in the world.

But take advantage of these cheap countries while it’s still doable and hustle hard to improve your situation!

Have you found other spots where you can survive (or thrive) on $500 a month? Share your stories or advice below – I’d love to hear from you and learn more tips for living large on a small sum!