12 Beautiful Places Where You Can Live for Less Than $1,000 a Month

If you’ve always dreamt of living abroad, now’s your best chance. The cost of living continues to rise, so you’re less likely to buy your dream home. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to move to somewhere more affordable. While some countries also have a high cost of living, others are surprisingly affordable.

For example, did you know you can live in many countries for less than $1,000 a month? If not, you’ve come to the perfect place. We’ve compiled a list of 12 places you can live for less than $1,000 monthly. We’ve selected these places based on their beauty, value, and things to do.

Table of Contents

Varna, Bulgaria

Let’s kickstart our list with a beach destination that offers a beautiful stretch of golden-sand beach, access to many amenities, and a charming city jam-packed with things to do. Varna is a port city and seaside resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea. Aside from being a popular beach resort, the city is also an important center for entertainment, transportation, and healthcare.

However, you likely only care about the exciting things. Varna’s most popular attractions include the Archaeological Museum Varna, Sea Garden, Rappongi Beach, and Varna Zoo. From a financial standpoint, Expatistan reports that a single person can live in Varna for approximately $898 monthly.

Bali, Indonesia

Affordable Living Destinations Tropical islands Bali — © R.M. Nunes / Adobe Stock

Bali isn’t one of the largest islands in Indonesia, but it’s by far the most popular. Famous worldwide, Bali is much loved for its lush rice terraces, pristine beaches, rugged volcanic landscapes, and rich cultures. When you’re not eating nasi goreng beachside or exploring iconic temples, you’ll find yourself racing through the forests on ATVs or learning to surf in Uluwatu.

In Bali, you can find affordable homestays for around $300 to $400. Food, transportation, and utilities cost much less than in the United States. According to Numbeo, a single person’s estimated monthly costs in Bali without rent are $563. Including rent, that’s only $863 or $963. Popular areas to live on the island include Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak.

Penang, Malaysia

The island of Penang is a fascinating destination, offering impressive natural landscapes, historic architecture, and an affordable way of life. You’ll find affordable accommodation, cheap or free transportation, and low food and energy prices on the island.

You’ll spend most of your time in Penang exploring Penang National Park, relaxing on Batu Ferringhi Beach, and discovering George Town’s incredible 19th-century colonial architecture.

Popular places to live in Penang include George Town and Batu Ferringhi. Both of these places are beautiful and affordable. With a low cost of living, you could comfortably live off approximately $800, including rent and utilities. What’s not to like about that?

Phuket, Thailand

If you prefer a party atmosphere and beautiful beaches as opposed to cultural experiences and hiking trails, Phuket is a better Thailand destination for you. Phuket is a lively city on Phuket Island, the capital of Thailand’s Phuket Province. Here, you’ll find several party streets with vibrant nightclubs, cheap bars, and noisy street food markets.

You’ll be pleased to hear that the food and drink in these areas are usually incredibly affordable, so you can enjoy a good night out for very little. Famous party streets include Soi Bangla Road and Beach Road, Patong. After a heavy night of partying, spend the next day recovering on Patong Beach. According to Nomad List, living in Phuket for less than $900 is possible.

Goa, India

The next destination on our list is Goa, a state in Western India famed for its scenic coastlines, lush forests, and laid-back fishing villages. The state was once a Portuguese colony, evident in the beautifully preserved 17th-century churches and tropical spice plantations.

In Goa, you’ll most likely spend your time tucking into local cuisines, sunbathing on the many beaches, and discovering countless waterfalls. Significant points of interest in the state include Dudhsagar Falls, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Candolim Beach, and Shree Shantadurga Temple. In Goa, you’ll find many affordable accommodation options that’ll help you keep your monthly costs below $1,000. Popular places to live include Agonda, Candolim, Baga, and Calangute.

Toruń, Poland

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stunning European city combines charm, culture, and beauty. With a population of less than 200,000, you can expect a tranquil experience, too. Aside from being an utterly fascinating place to live, Toruń is also safe and affordable.

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The city has a low crime rate, and travelers can live comfortably off approximately $971 a month. That includes rent, utilities, and groceries. During your time in Toruń, you must make the most of your breathtaking surroundings. Explore the city daily, discovering impressive landmarks like the Leaning Tower in Toruń, the Old Town Hall, and the Teutonic Castle Ruins.

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Medellín, Colombia

Medellín, the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province, is a beautiful city best known for its delicious coffee. A big hit with expats, it’s a great place to live if you want to experience Colombian culture, enjoy the great outdoors, and enjoy temperate weather. Medellín also has a low cost of living.

According to International Living, expats can live in the city for $1,070 monthly. However, you can reduce this cost by eating out less and finding accommodation that includes gas and electricity costs. Worth mentioning destinations in Medellín include the Museum of Antioquia, El Castillo Museum and Gardens, Jardín Botánico de Medellín, and Parque Arví.

Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria, also known as Tshwane, is the capital of South Africa. It’s an excellent option if you want to experience a big city lifestyle combined with the great outdoors and Africa’s incredible wildlife. This vibrant city has a city center packed with attractions, lush surroundings, and nearby game reserves ready to explore.

Make sure you visit Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, the Voortrekker Monument, and the Union Buildings in the city. Outside, spend your time at Mongena Private Game Reserve or Rietvlei Nature Reserve, looking for African wildlife. Regarding finances, a single person’s estimated monthly costs are $605 without rent. You can then rent a comfortable apartment for less than $400 to stick to your budget of $1,000.

Murska Sobota, Slovenia

According to Living Cost, a single person can live in Murska Sobota for approximately $929 monthly. This includes an average of $421 for rent and utilities and $507 for everything else, including transport and food. Murska Sobota is a quiet town in Northeastern Slovenia. It’s well known for its breathtaking landscapes, charming countryside, and peaceful community.

Admittedly, the town isn’t packed with attractions, but that only adds to its beauty. Because of this, you can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. You’ll spend most of your time walking in the countryside, enjoying local food and drink, and admiring local architecture. Notable sights include Pavilion EXPANO, Murska Sobota Castle, and Murska Sobota Cathedral.

Timișoara, Romania

The penultimate destination on our list is the beautiful Timișoara, a picturesque city in Western Romania best known for its beautiful neoclassical architecture. This city is a fantastic place to live if you love history and culture, as there are many things to see and experience. Most of the action is centered around the central square, Piața Victoriei.

You’ll find baroque buildings, the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral, and the Castle of Huniade. Other places you don’t want to miss include Piața Unirii, the Memorial Museum of the 1989 Revolution, and the Old Town of Timișoara. Regarding the cost of living, Living Cost reports that living in the city costs roughly $807 monthly.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one of our absolute favorite places to live abroad. Founded in 1296, this historic city is in Thailand’s mountainous northern region. The combination of beautiful natural surroundings and ancient history results in many things to see and do. The city boasts a rich culture, world-famous temples, picturesque hiking trails, and one-of-a-kind animal experiences.

According to Expatistan, the average cost of living in Chiang Mai is just $934 monthly, including rent, groceries, personal care, and utilities. With the savings you make, you can visit the city’s best attractions. This includes the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Đà Lạt, Vietnam

The final place we have for you is Đà Lạt in Southern Vietnam. Đà Lạt is the capital of Vietnam’s Lâm Đồng Province. It’s tucked away in the Central Highlands, surrounded by lush hills, pine forests, lakes, and waterfalls, making it a top choice if you want to be at one with nature.

When not exploring the great outdoors, check out what the city offers. You should visit the Crazy House, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, and Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery. In Đà Lạt, travelers can find accommodation extremely cheap. Furthermore, food, drink, and utilities are also affordable. In fact, you could live like a king for less than $800 monthly.