Southeast Asia remains the world's top region for affordable expat living. Tropical weather, incredible food, fast internet, and a thriving nomad community — all at a fraction of Western prices. Here's every SE Asian city in our database, ranked by monthly budget.

Cities

$400–$700 (Rp 6.3M–Rp 11M)

Cheapest

$800–$1,200

Most expensive

Countries

🇮🇩

Yogyakarta

Indonesia

Artists, academics, budget expats, culture seekers

$400–$700 (Rp 6.3M–Rp 11M) 100 Mbps English: Moderate — better near universities and tourism areas

🇰🇭

Kampot

Cambodia

Retirees, slow-life seekers, writers, budget expats

$400–$700 30 Mbps English: Moderate

🇮🇩

Lombok

Indonesia

Surfers, digital nomads, budget travelers, nature lovers

IDR 8–15M ($500–$950) 50 Mbps English: Basic — better in tourist zones and Gili Islands

🇰🇭

Siem Reap

Cambodia

Retirees, digital nomads, budget expats, culture lovers

$500–$800 50 Mbps English: Good (tourist areas)

🇱🇦

Luang Prabang

Laos

Writers, artists, retirees, slow travelers

$500–$900 30 Mbps English: Basic in tourist areas

🇲🇾

Langkawi

Malaysia

Retirees, beach lovers, budget expats, nature enthusiasts

MYR 2,500–5,000 ($565–$1,130) 50 Mbps English: Good in tourist areas

🇻🇳

Da Nang

Vietnam

Families, digital nomads, retirees, beach lovers

$600–$1,000 (15M–25M VND) 100 Mbps English: Good in My Khê and An Thượng expat strip

🇻🇳

Nha Trang

Vietnam

Beach lovers, divers, retirees, budget expats

$600–$1,000 60 Mbps English: Basic — Russian more common in tourist areas

🇵🇭

Dumaguete

Philippines

Retirees, digital nomads, budget expats, divers

$600–$1,000 25 Mbps English: Very good

🇱🇦

Vientiane

Laos

Budget expats, NGO workers, slow-living seekers

$600–$1,000 40 Mbps English: Limited — basic in expat areas

🇲🇲

Mandalay

Myanmar

Teachers, culture lovers, budget expats

$600–$1,000 20 Mbps English: Very limited

🇻🇳

Hội An

Vietnam

Digital nomads, slow-living seekers, foodies, artists

$667–$1,200 50 Mbps English: Good in tourist areas

🇹🇭

Koh Samui

Thailand

Digital nomads, retirees, wellness seekers, remote workers

฿25,000–50,000 ($690–$1,380) 80 Mbps English: Good in tourist/expat areas

🇹🇭

Hua Hin

Thailand

Retirees, families, long-term expats, golf enthusiasts

฿25,000–45,000 ($690–$1,250) 100 Mbps English: Moderate — better in tourist areas

🇻🇳

Hanoi

Vietnam

Culture-lovers, families, diplomats, teachers, retirees

$700–$1,200 (17.5M–30M VND) 120 Mbps English: Good in Tây Hồ and Old Quarter; improving citywide

🇹🇭

Chiang Mai

Thailand

Digital nomads, creatives, retirees, budget-conscious expats

$800–$1,400 (฿28,000–฿49,000) 300 Mbps English: Excellent in Nimman and Old City areas

🇻🇳

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Professionals, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, foodies

$800–$1,400 (20M–35M VND) 150 Mbps English: Good in District 1, 2, Thảo Điền expat areas

🇵🇭

Cebu City

Philippines

Digital nomads, divers, value-seekers

$800–$1,400 200 Mbps English: Very good

🇰🇭

Phnom Penh

Cambodia

Professionals, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, retirees

$800–$1,400 80 Mbps English: Very good in expat areas; basic elsewhere

🇲🇲

Yangon

Myanmar

Teachers, NGO workers, entrepreneurs

$800–$1,200 25 Mbps English: Basic — better in expat areas

Showing top 20 of 32 cities

Explore all cities with detailed cost of living, neighborhoods, and coworking spaces.

Browse All Cities

Related Rankings

Cheapest Cities for Digital Nomads

Ranked list of the most affordable cities for digital nomads in 2026. Budget, internet speed, English level, and coworking info for each city.

View list

Cities With the Fastest Internet

Ranked list of cities with the fastest broadband internet for remote workers and digital nomads. Speed, cost of living, and English level for each city.

View list

Best Cities for English Speakers

Cities where English is widely spoken — ranked by cost of living. Perfect for expats who want to settle abroad without a language barrier.

View list

Not sure where to move?

Take our free quiz — AI matches you with the best countries based on your budget, lifestyle, and priorities.

Take the Free Quiz

Weekly Expat Insights

Cost-of-living updates, visa changes, and destination tips — straight to your inbox.