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

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