ThailandChiang Mai
RentUS$ 285-480
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 39-64
FoodUS$ 237-356
Transport / scooterUS$ 80-120
InternetUS$ 20-33
Leisure & extrasUS$ 60-90
CoworkingUS$ 60-110
Monthly totalUS$ 780-1,260/mo
Cost of livingWhat it really costs
What it really costs
to live in Asia
It’s not just one number: here’s the full breakdown for each city, rent, food, transport, internet and leisure, plus the one-off costs to make the jump. Realistic 2026 estimates, for one person living well.
Monthly cost: what you spend every month once you’re settled.
One-off costs: flight, visa, deposit and insurance (below).
≈ approximate rate
See the guide to Chiang Mai →
ThailandBangkok
RentUS$ 362-708
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 61-102
FoodUS$ 308-462
Transport (metro/scooter)US$ 150-220
InternetUS$ 18-33
Leisure & extrasUS$ 90-130
CoworkingUS$ 90-160
Monthly totalUS$ 1,070-1,820/mo
IndonesiaBali (Canggu)
RentUS$ 500-1,200
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 24-40
FoodUS$ 241-362
Transport / scooterUS$ 15-20
InternetUS$ 16-20
Leisure & extrasUS$ 50-75
CoworkingUS$ 90-150
Monthly totalUS$ 930-1,870/mo
PhilippinesCebu
RentUS$ 309-504
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 74-123
FoodUS$ 267-401
TransportUS$ 35-55
InternetUS$ 28-44
Leisure & extrasUS$ 40-60
CoworkingUS$ 70-130
Monthly totalUS$ 820-1,320/mo
MalaysiaKuala Lumpur
RentUS$ 370-611
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 40-66
FoodUS$ 319-479
Transport (metro/Grab)US$ 100-155
InternetUS$ 26-35
Leisure & extrasUS$ 60-95
CoworkingUS$ 80-150
Monthly totalUS$ 990-1,600/mo
MalaysiaPenang
RentUS$ 371-512
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 23-38
FoodUS$ 248-372
Transport (Grab)US$ 40-60
InternetUS$ 30-38
Leisure & extrasUS$ 40-65
CoworkingUS$ 60-120
Monthly totalUS$ 810-1,210/mo
VietnamDa Nang
RentUS$ 339-519
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 53-88
FoodUS$ 199-299
Transport / scooterUS$ 55-80
InternetUS$ 8-14
Leisure & extrasUS$ 60-85
CoworkingUS$ 60-120
Monthly totalUS$ 770-1,210/mo
VietnamHo Chi Minh
RentUS$ 268-573
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 61-102
FoodUS$ 208-312
Transport / scooterUS$ 70-105
InternetUS$ 10-16
Leisure & extrasUS$ 65-100
CoworkingUS$ 70-130
Monthly totalUS$ 750-1,340/mo
CambodiaPhnom Penh
RentUS$ 357-618
Utilities (power, water, gas)US$ 66-111
FoodUS$ 292-438
Transport (tuk-tuk)US$ 75-110
InternetUS$ 25-33
Leisure & extrasUS$ 55-85
CoworkingUS$ 60-120
Monthly totalUS$ 930-1,520/mo
One-off costs
The move’s opening cheque
On top of the monthly cost, there’s the spend that happens once, at the start. Budget this separately:
Setup costs (one-off)
| One-way flight (with a connection) | US$ 700-1,500 |
| Insurance (first months) | US$ 120-400 |
| Deposit + 1st month’s rent | 1 to 2× the rent |
| Kitting out the basics | US$ 100-500 |
| Documents (apostille, translation) | US$ 50-400 |
And the emergency cushion: 3 to 6 months of your monthly cost, set aside. More in the real cost of the move guide.
Visa cost, by country
| Thailand | Visa-free tourist · DTV ~US$ 300 (+ proof of funds) |
| Indonesia | cheap tourist e-visa · stay visas vary |
| Malaysia | Visa-free 90d · DE Rantau (fee + proven income) |
| Philippines | Visa-free 30d + cheap extensions |
| Vietnam | 90-day e-visa ~US$ 25-50 |
| Cambodia | E visa ~US$ 35 + EB extension (renewable) |
Reference figures, confirm the right route in each country guide and with a professional before relying on them.
Want the route and the approximate flight price to each destination? See how to get there (connections and fares).
The next step
Which city fits your budget?
The quiz matches your budget against the real cost of each city and points to where you live best, with the visa route and the taxes. In 2 minutes, in your inbox.
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