Yes, the quality of life in Taiwan is generally considered excellent, frequently ranking among the top in the world for expats due to its1st-ranked, affordable healthcare, high levels of safety, and exceptional convenience. Residents enjoy high-speed, affordable public transport, diverse food options, and a welcoming culture. While Taipei is a major, modern hub, some, however, may find housing costs high and traffic/air quality in major cities to be issues.
Taiwan remains one of the top destinations for expats in 2026 thanks to its affordable cost of living, modern healthcare system, and high quality of life. Americans can apply for work, residency, or digital-nomad-friendly visas, making long-term stays accessible.
Taiwan is an extremely safe country to live in, crime is near zero and it's a great place to live with a very high quality of life for foreigner / expats.
Taiwan loves foreigners — unless you are the “wrong” kind. That thought crossed my mind when I encountered weird behavior from a store clerk; my questions were ignored and their attitude was unwelcoming. Yet, the moment a white foreigner walked in, their attitude changed. They became cheerful, polite and eager to help.
Quality of Life You Can Afford In Taiwan is Surprising
How much salary to live comfortably in Taiwan?
A “good” salary in Taiwan depends on a variety of factors, including where you live, your lifestyle, and your personal financial goals. For a single person, earning NT$50,000 to NT$70,000 (USD $1,650 to $2,300) per month is generally considered comfortable in most parts of the island.
So, can you live in Taiwan comfortably without speaking the language? Yes, absolutely. In fact, many foreign teachers, digital nomads, and long-term expats do just that. While there will be challenges, Taiwan is one of the easiest places in Asia to live without knowing the local language—especially in cities.
Within Taiwan, there emerged a major political contention between eventual Chinese unification with a pan-Chinese identity contrasted with formal independence promoting a Taiwanese identity, though moderates supporting the status quo have gained broad appeal in the 21st century.
Taiwan is a rich, high-income, technologically advanced economy, ranking high globally in GDP per capita and known for its "Taiwan Miracle" of rapid development, strong tech sector (especially semiconductors), and universal healthcare. Despite this wealth, some locals perceive less prosperity due to high property costs and a gap between the thriving tech sector and lower wages in other industries, creating a contrast between national wealth and individual financial feel.
Yes, you can absolutely wear red in Taiwan; it's a very auspicious color symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and celebration, used extensively in festivals, weddings, and temples, though you should avoid writing someone's name in red ink as it's considered bad luck and a sign of death. Red clothing is common and welcomed, especially during festive times, and generally, you can wear whatever you like, with few restrictions.
The survey found that 96 percent of foreign nationals in Taiwan see Taipei as the best place to live, followed by Taoyuan at 65.3 percent, and New Taipei 63.6 percent.
Foreigners over the age of 20 may naturalize as ROC nationals after residing in Taiwan for more than five years and demonstrating proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. The residency requirement is reduced to three years if an applicant has a Taiwanese spouse or parent.
Most Filipinos working in Taiwan work as factory workers, domestic workers, construction workers, fishermen and professionals and they would send a large part of their earnings to their families in the Philippines. Many Taiwanese men have also chosen Filipino women as brides through arranged marriages.
There's a reason expat life in Taiwan gets rave reviews, and not least because of the extraordinary high quality education and healthcare systems in place. Life in Taiwan is also super safe, with Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, ranked the 4th safest city in the world.
Taipei, Aug. 18 (CNA) Hsinchu City retained its status as Taiwan's richest municipality for the second consecutive year in 2024, with average household disposable income exceeding NT$1.5 million (US$49,968).
Taiwan is now the happiest country in Asia, surpassing Singapore, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. Rankings are based on factors like GDP, life expectancy, social support, and freedom. The report highlights the importance of social interactions, noting that meal-sharing boosts well-being.
In addition, family-run businesses with opaque decision-making, rigid corporate cultures that make it difficult for employees to demand improvements, and weak labor unions that hinder wage increases are also cited as key reasons why wages in Taiwan remain so low.
The annexation of Taiwan was also based on considerations of productivity and ability to provide raw materials for Japan's expanding economy and to become a ready market for Japanese goods. Taiwan's strategic location was deemed advantageous as well.
