There are cities (such as Beijing or Shanghai) that can be insanely expensive but offer luxuries you’ll find anywhere else in the world. Don't miss out on these 44 money-saving tips! A prime city for the technology industry, shopping and upscale restaurants, Hyderabad rolls out a cost of living 73 percent cheaper than New York City. will you invest in a good pollution mask or air purifier? Make it your home and enjoy paying 66 percent less for groceries and 79 percent less for rent. **Restaurant costs are based on a mid-level restaurant bill for two people. As foreigners are generally paid higher than the average middle-class worker across China, you can choose to live like royalty if saving money is not a priority for you. Like many of the cheapest cities to live, old-world charm nestles side by side with modern high-rises. Tucked on the banks of the Pearl River northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is home to world-class museums, skyscrapers and temples. Eating out appears incredibly affordable, but it can add-up if done in excess. Ornate nouveau buildings and Soviet modernist architecture set the stage on the streets of the old city below, where you’ll find plenty of charming cafes, shops and museums to frequent. Rents are 85 percent less expensive than in New York City, and your monthly grocery budget will average 55 percent less as well. All Right Reserved. Enjoy life in a tropical climate with all the benefits of a cosmopolitan commerce center when you make a move to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The Cheapest Places in the World to Live in 2020. The city is one of the wealthiest in Pakistan, but you don’t need to be rich and famous to move there. We kick off our Mediterranean tour in… 1. Get involved in the vibrant arts scene in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, or just spend your off-time walking barefoot along a Canary Island beach. If you have a specific budget in mind for where you plan to live in China, do your best to cook at home several times a week if not every day to cut down on costs. Did You Know? All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Yes, you can enjoy living the beach life — with a cost of living that’s 67 percent cheaper than the Big Apple, you can spend your days wiggling your toes in the sun-soaked sands of Puerto Vallarta and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife. Apart from differences in cities, your lifestyle is another large factor to consider when determining the cost of living in China. Is it Legal to Use a VPN in China? The overall cost of living is 54 percent lower than in NYC, with a purchasing power index that is just 4 percent below the Big Apple. Berkeley to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing where I followed Communist. Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, might be one of the cheapest cities in the world to live with a cost of living 57 percent cheaper than NYC, but it’s a cultural gold mine. Rents average 93 percent cheaper than in the Big Apple, and food costs are 73 percent lower. Enjoy a cost of living 50 percent cheaper than in New York City and rents that are 75 percent cheaper. There are a few things you can consider when it comes to your lifestyle consideration: This is exactly what happened to me when I first moved to China in 2013. Some of the world’s cheapest cities are also some of the most beautiful, serving up charming cafes, stunning scenery and top-notch technology along with budget-friendly living. It might be one of the cheapest cities to live in, but Kuala Lumpur is also one of the world’s top affordable warm-weather vacation destinations. Live in this unique metropolis for just 31 percent of what New York City life will pull from your budget, including rents that are 91 percent cheaper. Tucked in the Anatolia region in the heart of the country, Ankara is also one of the cheapest big cities to live in with a cost of living 59 percent cheaper than in New York City. Like anywhere in the world, the cost of living in China will vary greatly from city to city. Don’t Miss: Great Places to Live for $1,000 a Month. The city’s 70,000 or so jacaranda trees burst into dazzling purple blossoms, earning the place the nickname “Jacaranda City.”. Before we dive in, let me share something that I think is extremely important. Take a cable car to the top of Mount Vodno from Skopje and hike caves and monasteries, or explore the old-world city charm dating back centuries. The Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka not only makes a picturesque place to live — it’s also one of the cheapest cities in the world to live. But some residents prefer to sip coffee in hip cafes in Kazimierz, once the city’s old Jewish quarter, where you can grab a meal for less than $6. Just watch yourself. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. Your monthly budget will go about 62 percent further in Mexico City, with rents averaging 82 percent lower than in NYC and groceries costing just 35 percent of what you’d pay in the Big Apple. Although it’s the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is only the country’s ninth-largest city. Centered around the massive Plaza de la Constitución, Mexico City rolls out Aztec temples and artifacts of Spanish conquistadors. If you happen to be teaching English or are a student on a school campus, try eating in the campus dining halls as the cost for food charged in cafeterias is significantly cheaper and cleaner than what you will find at most restaurants. Surprisingly, this island paradise makes the list of cities with the cheapest cost of living thanks to rents that are 82 percent cheaper than New York City, a 94 percent purchasing power index and 55 percent lower grocery costs. Guadalajara is famous for its tequila and mariachi music as well as inspiring old-world architecture. The city is one of the cheapest cities in the world to live with a cost of living that is 52 percent less costly than in New York City. The most expensive is Bermuda with a cost of living index score of 146.19. From museums with vast collections of paintings and antiquities to venues for watching opera and ballet, there’s always something artsy to do. You may opt-out by. Access to excellent international foods and Western restaurants; Advanced infrastructure with extensive public transportation. Save a lot of money living in Kaohsiung, which enjoys an overall cost of living 40 percent cheaper than in NYC. But Numbeo.com, a widely cited database that culls information from about 386,000 users, still places China at the cheap end of 121 countries it compares for cost of … Residential rent runs 92 percent less than in NYC and groceries about 81 percent less. A move to Chengdu tucks you amid history dating to the 4th century B.C. She spent more than a decade in Arizona’s real estate industry advising first-time homebuyers and commercial investors before indulging her passion for the written word on a full-time basis. As an expat renting an apartment in China, this is often your largest expense.