Guide for Living Abroad in Asia in 2026

Expats and retirees weighing the pros and cons of living abroad can compare the 2026 cost of living in places in Asia, including China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Are you considering a move to Asia? Are you wanting to compare one country to another before making your decision? Looking into living, working, or retiring abroad? Then this is the guide for you!

In this guide, we will compare the cost of living in several Asian countries. These countries are popular among expats and retirees from the United States. We’ll also offer some pointers about health insurance and other things to be aware of. We’ll point you in the right direction for visas too.

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Most Important Information for Living in Asia

Many countries in Asia offer a much lower cost of living than the United States. Some countries, like the Philippines, also offer visa programs for retirees wanting to live abroad. Depending on the career field, expats may find the lifestyle and salary they seek by moving abroad to Asia.

Planning a move abroad, whether it’s to work or retire abroad, requires understanding the cost of living. Many Asian countries have a lower cost of living compared to the United States. Some also provide visas and special benefits for retirees moving there, although others do not.

Have you already decided which country you would like to move to? If not, check out the Best Places to Live in Asia for more ideas and insights specific to expats!

To gather more information about particular countries and cities abroad, please check out our guides for that location for additional details.

Guides to Living Abroad

• Philippines
• Taiwan
• China
  • Beijing
  • Shanghai
  • Guangzhou
  • Hong Kong
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Japan

Cost of Living in Asia vs. the USA

We compared the cost of living in ten Asian countries popular with expats and the USA. Nine out of ten countries had a lower cost of living than the United States. In several countries, the average income is much lower than in the USA, but expats typically earn higher wages than local workers.

To compare the costs of living, we used crowdsourced data. The data is a compilation of recent responses from users and is averaged across the country. This means that actual incomes and expenditures will vary. All amounts are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise indicated.

Cost of Living for One Person

The country with the lowest average cost of living for a single person is Indonesia. The country with the highest average cost of living is Singapore. You can see the complete comparison of the average lowest cost of living to the highest average cost of living for a single person. On average, compared to the USA:

1. Indonesia is 77% less expensive.
2. The Philippines is 76% less expensive.
3. Vietnam is 76% less expensive.
4. China is 75% less expensive.
5. Malaysia is 72% less expensive.
6. Thailand is 66% less expensive.
7. Taiwan is 58% less expensive.
8. Japan is 55% less expensive.
9. South Korea is 55% less expensive.
10. Singapore is 27% more expensive.

Cost of Living for a Family

The rankings for the most affordable countries for families are similar to the rankings for the individual, but a few countries have switched places, and the average savings or extra expenses are different. On average, compared to the USA:

1. Indonesia is 76% less expensive.
2. The Philippines is 74.8% less expensive.
3. Vietnam is 72.5% less expensive.
4. Malaysia is 71.6% less expensive.
5. China is 69.8% less expensive.
6. Thailand is 61.5% less expensive.
7. Taiwan is 52.3% less expensive.
8. Japan is 52% less expensive.
9. South Korea is 51% less expensive.
10. Singapore is 21% more expensive.

Housing Cost Comparison Asia vs. the USA

For an individual, China and Indonesia had the lowest average rent, which is 83.5% less expensive than rent in the USA. For a family, Indonesia had the lowest average price for rent, which is 83.7% cheaper than in the USA. Singapore had the highest average rent prices for families and individuals.

Average Rent Prices for an Individual

Here is the rank list for the lowest average rent prices for an individual in each country and the reported rent price average.

1. China: $264
2. Indonesia: $264
3. The Philippines: $269
4. Vietnam: $295
5. Malaysia: $319
6. Thailand: $379
7. Taiwan: $429
8. South Korea: $487
9. Japan: $510
10. United States: $1,598
11. Singapore: $2,215

Average Rent Prices for a Family

Here is the rank list for the average price of rent for a family in each country. For convenience, we also supplied the reported average amount.

1. Indonesia: $434
2. The Philippines: $436
3. China: $443
4. Malaysia: $511
5. Vietnam: $514
6. Thailand: $654
7. Taiwan: $739
8. South Korea: $821
9. Japan: $843
10. United States: $2,655
11. Singapore: $3,746

Food Cost Comparison Asia vs. the USA

The average cost of food for one person depends on the city, whether meals are prepared at home or eaten out, and other factors. Food prices in the USA are higher than in any of the ten Asian countries included in our analysis.

Based on user responses, these are the comparisons, representing the average savings when compared to the United States:

1. Vietnam: savings of 69.7%
2. Indonesia: savings of 67.3%.
3. China: savings of 65%
4. Philippines: savings of 63.1%
5. Malaysia: savings of 59.8%
6. Thailand: savings of 58.4%
7. Japan: savings of 40%
8. Taiwan: savings of 38.1%
9. South Korea: savings of 32%
10. Singapore: savings of 14.6%

Transportation Cost Comparison Asia vs. the USA

The average amount spent on transportation varied from country to country, with the Philippines having the lowest average and Singapore having the highest average. Only six of the countries we analyzed in Asia had a lower transportation cost than the United States.

Here are the rankings based on the reported average amount spent on transportation each month:

1. The Philippines: $34.7
2. Malaysia: $41.5
3. Indonesia: $43.9
4. Vietnam: $51.5
5. China: $69.6
6. South Korea: $97.9
7. The United States: $101
8. Taiwan: $101
9. Thailand: $111
10. Japan: $134
11. Singapore: $263

Salaries in Asia vs. the USA

Singapore was the only country in Asia on our list with a higher average after-tax salary than the United States. The lower average salaries in each country are offset by the lower cost of living. Many skilled workers with visas will also make much more than the average in the country.

Here are the average salaries (after tax) in each country from highest to lowest:

1. Singapore: $4,604
2. United States: $4,539
3. South Korea: $1,998
4. Japan: $1,977
5. Taiwan: $1,481
6. Malaysia: $804
7. China: $755
8. Thailand: $662
9. Vietnam: $459
10. The Philippines: $318
11. Indonesia: $295

Is Asia Expensive to Live in?

The cost of living in 90% of the Asian nations we reviewed was considerably below that of the United States, offering retirees an excellent opportunity to save. While average local salaries were also lower, expats in specialized or in-demand sectors often received competitive pay.

Nevertheless, we can compare how far the average salary goes in each country when factoring in the cost of living. Here’s the ranking for the average length of time the monthly salary covers expenses for an individual.

1. United States: 1.8 months
2. South Korea: 1.8 months
3. Japan: 1.7 months
4. Singapore: 1.4 months
5. Taiwan: 1.4 months
6. China: 1.2 months
7. Malaysia: 1.2 months
8. Thailand: 0.8 month
9. Vietnam: 0.6 month
10. Indonesia: 0.5 month
11. The Philippines: 0.5 month

Living in Asia as an American

Living abroad in Asia means learning how to communicate and conduct personal business in another country, and frequently in a different language. Familiarize yourself with the local currency and system of measurement. Most use the metric system, though currencies differ from one nation to another.

For anyone ready to pick up a new language or two, begin by learning basic phrases to ask for directions, prices, or help in the new language. 

To ease the transition, it may help to have more English speakers in your new home. We used crowdsourced data to compare the percentage of English speakers in ten popular Asian countries for expats: 

1. Singapore: 95.3%
2. Philippines: 63.7%
3. Malaysia: 57.3%
4. Indonesia: 30.8%
5. Taiwan: 30%
6. Thailand: 27.2%
7. South Korea: 20%
8. Vietnam: 16%
9. Japan: 15%
10. China: 0.7%

Cultural Adjustments for Americans in Asia

Each country and region will have its own customs, but in Asia, most cultures respect elders. Learn the etiquette around elders for any location you move to. It’s also incredibly common to remove your shoes upon entering a home.

Retiring in Asia from the USA

Many Americans decide to retire overseas to enjoy a more affordable cost of living and a better quality of life. Several Asian countries, such as the Philippines, even provide retirement visas designed specifically for expats. Each nation sets its own eligibility criteria for these visas.

Moving to Asia from the USA

An essential part of moving abroad to Asia is making sure that you have international health insurance. Even countries with a single-payer system have a period that can take several months. Additionally, many single-payer healthcare systems in Asia do not cover chronic illness or severe conditions.

Visa Requirements for USA Citizens in Asia

Every Asian country has a unique visa application process. Many allow applicants to complete their visa forms online. If you are moving abroad to work, your new employer can often help you with the visa paperwork.

You can check out our guides for each country for more specific visa information. Keep in mind that many countries also require proof of international health insurance as part of the visa process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Asian country has the lowest family living costs versus the USA?

Indonesia has the lowest family living costs versus the USA. It is 76% less expensive on average for families compared to the USA, based on crowdsourced data covering housing, food, transportation, and other essentials across popular expat destinations.

What is the cheapest average rent for individuals in Asia?

China and Indonesia tie for the cheapest average rent for individuals in Asia. Both countries average $264 monthly rent, 83.5% less than the USA’s $1,598, making them top choices for affordable housing among expats in the analyzed Asian nations.

Which Asian country allows average salaries to cover most expenses?

South Korea allows average salaries to cover the most expenses among Asian countries. South Korea’s monthly salaries cover 1.8 months of individual living costs, slightly eclipsing Japan at 1.7 months, due to balanced wages and expenses.

Why is Singapore the most expensive Asian country for singles?

Singapore’s high rent drives its expenses for singles. Singapore is 27% more expensive than the USA for singles, primarily due to average rent of $2,215 monthly—far exceeding all other Asian countries and the USA’s $1,598 benchmark.

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Conclusion

Living abroad in Asia could be your next great adventure! There are many different climates, cultures, and countries to choose from. Don’t hesitate to begin planning your move or travels to new regions of the world.

If you have any questions about health insurance coverage abroad, contact an expert today!

• Author
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Martin Lee

Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Martin is a writer and translator with over 10 years of experience. He writes articles and blog posts, creates infographics and videos, translates between Chinese and English, and more. Skilled at explaining complicated concepts in layman’s terms, Martin believes the gold standard of translation is attained when the translated text is not only accurate, but also reads like an original text. Martin holds a degree in Economics from the University of London, UK.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.

In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.

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