Asia offers the widest range of expat experiences on Earth — from ultra-budget Cambodia to high-income Singapore, from tropical Bali to tech-forward Tokyo. Here's every Asian country in our database ranked by monthly budget.

Countries

from $500

Cheapest

from $3,800

Most expensive

Total cities

🇳🇵

Nepal

The Roof of the World — ultra-affordable Himalayan living, world-class trekking, a growing digital nomad scene in Pokhara, and a deeply spiritual Hindu-Buddhist culture

from $500 60 Mbps Moderate — good in tourist areas and educated circles 2 cities

🇵🇰

Pakistan

South Asia's most affordable frontier — rich culture, dramatic landscapes, and a growing expat scene

from $500/mo 28 Mbps Widely spoken in business & educated circles 2 cities

🇱🇦

Laos

Southeast Asia's hidden gem — ultra-low costs, slow living, and the warmth of the Mekong

from $600 40 Mbps Limited — basic in tourist areas and expat venues 2 cities

🇲🇲

Myanmar

Southeast Asia's frontier — ancient pagodas, ultra-low costs, and a resilient culture navigating historic change

from $600 26 Mbps Limited — basic in Yangon expat areas 2 cities

🇺🇿

Uzbekistan

Central Asia's Silk Road gem — ultra-affordable living, rich history, and a fast-growing digital nomad visa program

from $600 50 Mbps Limited — growing among younger generation 2 cities

🇧🇩

Bangladesh

South Asia's hidden gem — ultra-affordable living, vibrant culture, and a rapidly growing economy

from $600 60 Mbps Widely spoken in business & expat areas 2 cities

🇧🇹

Bhutan

The Land of the Thunder Dragon — a Himalayan kingdom measuring success by Gross National Happiness, offering the world's first blockchain-backed digital nomad visa, pristine mountain air, and a profoundly mindful way of life

from $600 30 Mbps Good — medium of instruction in schools; widely spoken in towns 2 cities

🇰🇬

Kyrgyzstan

Central Asia's hidden gem — jaw-dropping mountain landscapes, ultra-low living costs, and a brand-new digital nomad visa drawing remote workers to the Silk Road

from $600 30 Mbps Limited — Russian essential for daily life 2 cities

🇹🇯

Tajikistan

Central Asia's hidden gem — jaw-dropping Pamir mountains, rock-bottom living costs, and an ancient Silk Road culture waiting to be discovered

from $600 30 Mbps Limited — Russian is the main second language 2 cities

🇹🇭

Thailand

Southeast Asia's most beloved expat destination — tropical paradise, ultra-low costs, incredible food, and a 10-million-strong expat community

from $800/mo 200 Mbps Moderate in cities; limited outside tourist areas 3 cities

🇻🇳

Vietnam

Southeast Asia's rising star — incredibly affordable, vibrant street food culture, fast-growing expat scene, and a 90-day e-visa that renews with ease

from $800/mo 120 Mbps Good in expat areas and tourist hubs; limited elsewhere 3 cities

🇮🇩

Indonesia

Tropical archipelago paradise — volcanic landscapes, ancient temples, world-class surf, and a Bali digital nomad scene unlike anywhere else

from $800/mo 150 Mbps Good in Bali/expat areas; limited outside tourist zones 3 cities

🇮🇳

India

The world's most affordable expat destination — ancient culture, booming tech scene, incredible food, and a cost of living that stretches every dollar

from $800/mo 90 Mbps Widely spoken in cities, business, and tech 3 cities

🇰🇭

Cambodia

Southeast Asia's most laid-back expat haven — dollar-based economy, ultra-low cost of living, easy long-term visas, and a welcoming culture that makes settling in effortless

from $800/mo 35 Mbps Widely spoken in expat areas and tourist hubs 3 cities

🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean — a brand-new Digital Nomad Visa (Feb 2026), ultra-affordable tropical living, world-class surf, and extraordinary variety packed into one small island

from $800 80 Mbps Good in cities and tourist areas 2 cities

🇲🇳