Vietnam holds the title as the cheapest country to live in for 2025 for the fourth consecutive year, offering an unmatched low cost of living, according to MoneyWeek and CNBC. Other top, highly affordable, and popular, budget-friendly destinations for 2025 include Colombia, Indonesia (specifically Bali), Panama, Thailand, and the Philippines.
10 Cheapest Towns to Live in the United States 2025
What is the cheapest English-speaking country to live in?
What are the cheapest English-speaking countries to live in? India, Ghana, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Africa are among the most affordable options.
Which country is the cheapest and safest to live in?
There's no single "safest, most affordable" country, as it depends on priorities, but top contenders often mentioned for combining safety and low cost include Portugal, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic, offering good infrastructure, low living expenses (rent, food), and high quality of life in specific regions or cities, though some Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and the Philippines also rank high for affordability with safety considerations. Portugal is noted for EU access and good healthcare, Malaysia for English-speaking expat communities, Vietnam for extreme affordability, and Czechia for central European travel.
The best cities to live in USA are New York City (New York), Seattle (Washington), Charlotte (North Carolina), Nashville (Tennessee), and San Diego (California). The happiest city in America is Fremont, California, according to personal finance company WalletHub's 2025 study.
Popular Bluff, Missouri, is the cheapest, safest place to live in America. The annual cost of living is $32,941. Violent crime rates are 0.372 and property crime rates are 2.111 for every 1,000 residents. Midwestern cities dominated the top 10, accounting for nine spots.
In 2025, the best countries for quality of life combine high incomes, safety, strong healthcare and education, and stable governance. According to major international rankings, top performers include Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Australia.
The following states offer the most budget-friendly monthly average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: Oklahoma, $895; West Virginia, $914; Arkansas, $931; North Dakota, $935; Iowa, $955; Mississippi, $973; South Dakota, $974; Alabama, $1,040; Kentucky, $1,049; and Louisiana, $1,051.
Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.
Kerala, "God's Own Country," is keen to welcome inhabitants from across the globe. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital and serene state of Kerala, is renowned among home buyers for its low cost of living. This metropolitan city in Kerala offers you the most tranquil lifestyle that you have ever dreamt of.
