If you’re tired of the high-pressure, backstabbing life on the island and want to move abroad for a while without spending too much, then you might be interested in the following list. We’ve specially selected 10 of the cheapest cities for foreigners to live in.
The cost-of-living index of these cities is all below 30, meaning they are more than 70% cheaper than New York, London, and the like. These cities are not only inexpensive but also have their own cultures and scenery worth exploring. Let’s take a look together!
1️⃣ Islamabad, Pakistan 🇵🇰
Islamabad, Pakistan is the capital of Pakistan and a modern, green city. It sits at the foot of the Margalla Hills, surrounded by much natural beauty and historical sites. Islamabad’s cost-of-living index is 24.88; a cup of coffee costs only $0.61, and a restaurant dinner only $2.44. Islamabad has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons—cool winters and hot summers. Its residents are predominantly Muslim, but there are also a few Christians and Hindus. The official language of Islamabad is Urdu, but some people also speak English and Pashto.

Traditional architecture of Pakistan
2️⃣ Karachi, Pakistan 🇵🇰
Karachi, Pakistan is the largest city in Pakistan and an important commercial and cultural center. It sits on the coast of the Arabian Sea, with a bustling port and beaches. Karachi’s cost-of-living index is 24.77; a dozen eggs cost only $0.93, and a kilogram of chicken only $2.32. Karachi has a tropical climate, warm year-round with little rainfall. Its residents are diverse, with people from different ethnicities and religions, such as Muslim Sindhis, Hindu Gujaratis, and Christian Balochis. The official language of Karachi is Urdu, but some people also speak English and Sindhi.
3️⃣ Havana, Cuba 🇨🇺
Havana, Cuba is the capital of Cuba and a vibrant, charming city. It sits on the coast of the Caribbean, with brightly colored buildings and classic cars. Havana’s cost-of-living index is 24.64; a bottle of beer costs only $0.82, and a cigar only $1.64. Havana has a tropical climate, warm year-round with a dry season and a rainy season. Its residents are of mixed heritage, with ancestry from Spain, Africa, France, China, and elsewhere. The official language of Havana is Spanish, but some people also speak English and French.

Theaters and street scenes of Cuba
4️⃣ Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and a young, open city. It sits in the north of the Tian Shan mountains, with beautiful parks and squares. Bishkek’s cost-of-living index is 24.28; a cup of tea costs only $0.12, and a hamburger only $1.23. Bishkek has a continental climate—cold winters and warm summers. Its residents are predominantly Kyrgyz, but there are also Russians, Uzbeks, Tajiks, and others. The official languages of Bishkek are Kyrgyz and Russian, but some people also speak English and Turkish.
5️⃣ Dushanbe, Tajikistan 🇹🇯
Dushanbe, Tajikistan is the capital of Tajikistan and an ancient, elegant city. It sits on the banks of the Varzob River, with grand mosques and museums. Dushanbe’s cost-of-living index is 23.92; a bottle of mineral water costs only $0.18, and a pizza only $2.75. Dushanbe has a temperate climate—cool winters and hot summers. Its residents are predominantly Tajik, but there are also Uzbeks, Russians, Kazakhs, and others. The official language of Dushanbe is Tajik, but some people also speak Russian and Uzbek.
6️⃣ Windhoek, Namibia 🇳🇦
Windhoek, Namibia is the capital of Namibia and a modern, diverse city. It sits in the center of a plateau, with German-style architecture and African-style markets. Windhoek’s cost-of-living index is 23.47; a cup of coffee costs only $0.88, and a sandwich only $1.76. Windhoek has a semi-arid climate, with little rainfall year-round and large day-night temperature differences. Its residents are multiracial, including Black, White, and mixed-race people. The official language of Windhoek is English, but some people also speak Afrikaans, German, and Oshiwambo.
7️⃣ Ankara, Turkey 🇹🇷
Ankara, Turkey is the capital of Turkey and a historical and political city. It sits in the center of the Anatolian plateau, with ancient ruins and modern buildings. Ankara’s cost-of-living index is 23.46; a cup of tea costs only $0.17, and a kebab only $1.70. Ankara has a continental climate—cold winters and hot summers. Its residents are predominantly Turkish, but there are also Kurds, Arabs, Armenians, and others. The official language of Ankara is Turkish, but some people also speak English, Kurdish, and Arabic.

A lively street in Turkey at dusk
8️⃣ Durban, South Africa 🇿🇦
Durban, South Africa is the third-largest city in South Africa and a lively, colorful city. It sits on the coast of the Indian Ocean, with beautiful beaches and tropical plants. Durban’s cost-of-living index is 23.12; a cup of coffee costs only $0.96, and a hamburger only $1.92. Durban has a subtropical climate, warm year-round with a dry season and a rainy season. Its residents are diverse, with people from different ethnicities and cultures, such as Black, White, Indian, and Asian people. The official language of Durban is Zulu, but some people also speak English, Hindi, and Afrikaans.
9️⃣ Tunis, Tunisia 🇹🇳
Tunis, Tunisia is the capital of Tunisia and an ancient yet modern city. It sits on the coast of the Mediterranean, with a charming medina and a fashionable new town. Tunis’s cost-of-living index is 22.95; a cup of tea costs only $0.16, and a Tunisian salad only $1.28. Tunis has a Mediterranean climate—mild winters and dry summers. Its residents are predominantly Arab, but there are also Berbers, French, Italians, and others. The official language of Tunis is Arabic, but some people also speak French, English, and Berber.
1️⃣0️⃣ Tashkent, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
Tashkent, Uzbekistan is the capital of Uzbekistan and a vibrant, ever-changing city. It sits at an important hub of the Silk Road, with rich culture and history. Tashkent’s cost-of-living index is 22.81; a cup of coffee costs only $0.54, and a flatbread only $0.11. Tashkent has an arid climate—cold winters and hot summers. Its residents are predominantly Uzbek, but there are also Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, and others. The official language of Tashkent is Uzbek, but some people also speak Russian, Tajik, and English.
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