How much would your current lifestyle cost in another country?
Compare the cost of living across 197 countries and see how your monthly budget changes from one destination to another.
Choose your From country, select a To country, enter your monthly budget and choose your lifestyle profile. Megaport immediately calculates the estimated cost difference and shows the key expenses side by side.
Compare:
- Rent
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Internet
- Mobile plans
- Transportation
- Dining
- Everyday lifestyle expenses
- Average net salary
- Purchasing power
Megaport cost-of-living data is refreshed every month, helping you compare countries using current information.
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare your current budget with another country
Your monthly budget is the most useful starting point for a relocation comparison.
For example, if you currently spend $2,500 per month, the important question is not simply whether another country is “cheap”.
The useful question is:
How much would I need to maintain a similar lifestyle there?
Select your countries, enter your budget and choose your lifestyle profile.
Lifestyle profiles
Frugal Nomad
Designed for people who prioritize keeping monthly expenses low while maintaining a practical lifestyle.
Balanced Expat
A balanced approach to housing, food, transportation and everyday comfort.
High Comfort
For people who prefer more comfortable housing, dining and lifestyle choices.
Compare 197 Countries
Every country in the Megaport database can be compared with the other 196 countries.
You can start with any country and immediately see the available country-to-country comparisons.
For example:
- United States → Thailand
- United States → Vietnam
- United States → Portugal
- Germany → Spain
- United Kingdom → Portugal
- Canada → Mexico
- Australia → Indonesia
Each comparison has its own dedicated page with the relevant cost-of-living data.
This makes it possible to research both a specific relocation and alternative destinations.
What Does the Cost of Living Comparison Show?
Once you select your two countries, Megaport shows the main differences between them.
The comparison can include:
Rent
See the difference between a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre and outside the city centre.
Utilities
Compare typical monthly household utility costs.
Internet
See how much a high-speed internet connection can cost in each country.
Mobile Plans
Compare mobile data plans and everyday communication costs.
Transportation
Compare monthly public transportation costs.
Groceries
See the estimated difference in monthly grocery expenses.
Dining
Compare the cost of eating at mid-range restaurants and everyday coffee.
Lifestyle
Compare expenses such as gym memberships and cinema tickets.
Salaries
See average net monthly salary alongside the cost-of-living comparison.
This helps put prices into financial context.
Why Fresh Cost of Living Data Matters
Cost of living changes. Your information should too.
Rent changes.
Food prices change.
Utilities change.
Transportation costs change.
Salaries change.
A cost-of-living estimate is therefore only useful if the underlying information remains relevant.
Megaport refreshes its cost-of-living data every month.
This is especially important when you are researching an international move.
If you are planning to relocate, an outdated estimate can give you the wrong idea about how much money you will actually need each month.
Megaport is built to provide a more current picture of international living costs by regularly refreshing its data.
Your Cost of Living Depends on Your Lifestyle
There is no single monthly cost that applies to everyone.
Two people can live in the same country and have completely different expenses.
One person may choose:
- A small apartment
- Local food
- Public transportation
- Limited entertainment
Another may prefer:
- A central apartment
- Frequent restaurants
- Private transportation
- More expensive entertainment
Both are living in the same country, but their monthly budgets can be very different.
That is why Megaport lets you enter your own budget and select a lifestyle profile.
Instead of asking only:
“How expensive is this country?”
you can ask:
“How much would my lifestyle cost there?”
Cost of Living for Expats
For an expat, the biggest financial question is often not the price of one product.
It is the total monthly budget.
Housing, groceries, utilities, transportation and everyday spending all add up.
A country that looks inexpensive in a general ranking may not necessarily be inexpensive for your particular lifestyle.
Megaport lets you compare these costs directly between your current country and a potential destination.
This can help you estimate a realistic monthly relocation budget before making a move.
Cost of Living for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads often have income from one country while living in another.
That makes international cost comparisons particularly useful.
A digital nomad can enter a current monthly budget and compare it with destinations around the world.
Important expenses can include:
- Rent
- Internet
- Mobile data
- Groceries
- Transportation
- Restaurants
- Coffee
- Entertainment
The result is a practical starting point for deciding where your budget could go further.
Cheap Does Not Always Mean Affordable
A country can have low prices and low salaries at the same time.
Another country can have higher prices but substantially higher incomes.
This is why cost of living should not be viewed in isolation.
Megaport also provides average net salary and purchasing-power context, helping you understand the relationship between local prices and local income.
For an expat or digital nomad earning foreign income, the calculation can be different again.
The right destination depends on your own financial situation.
Cost of Living by Category
A single cost-of-living score can hide important differences.
Two countries may have similar overall costs while being very different in individual categories.
For example, one destination may have inexpensive rent but higher grocery costs.
Another may have more expensive housing but much cheaper transportation.
Looking at individual categories helps you understand what is actually driving the difference.
Megaport provides a direct comparison of major everyday expenses so you can see where your money is likely to go.
Cost of Living by Country
Use the Megaport Cost of Living Explorer to compare countries individually or as part of your relocation research.
Whether you are comparing two specific destinations or looking for alternatives, start with your current country and see how your budget translates elsewhere.
197 countries. 196 possible destinations from every starting country.
How Much Money Do You Need to Live Abroad?
There is no universal answer.
The amount you need depends on your destination and lifestyle.
The biggest factors usually include:
- Housing
- Food and groceries
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Internet and mobile services
- Dining and entertainment
- Your desired level of comfort
Instead of relying on a generic monthly figure, use your existing budget as the starting point.
Enter what you currently spend and compare it with your destination.
How to Compare the Cost of Living Between Two Countries
The process takes only a few steps.
Step 1: Select your current country
Choose the country you are living in or the country your current budget is based on.
Step 2: Select your destination
Choose the country you are considering.
Step 3: Enter your monthly budget
Enter the amount you currently spend each month.
Step 4: Choose your lifestyle
Select Frugal Nomad, Balanced Expat or High Comfort.
Step 5: See the comparison
Megaport calculates the estimated difference and shows the major expenses side by side.
The map provides a visual representation of the selected countries, while the detailed comparison directly below shows the numbers that matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living by country?
Cost of living by country refers to the typical expenses required to live in different countries, including housing, food, utilities, transportation and other everyday costs.
Because lifestyles differ, there is no single monthly budget that applies to everyone.
What is the best way to compare the cost of living between countries?
The most useful comparison starts with your own monthly budget and considers multiple expense categories rather than relying on a single price index.
Megaport lets you compare your current country with another destination and see the differences across major everyday expenses.
How many countries does Megaport compare?
Megaport covers 197 countries. From any selected starting country, you can compare it with the other 196 countries.
How often is Megaport’s cost-of-living data updated?
Megaport refreshes its cost-of-living data monthly.
Can I compare my current budget with another country?
Yes. Enter your monthly budget, select your current country and destination, and choose the lifestyle profile that best matches your situation.
What expenses are included?
The comparison can include rent, utilities, internet, mobile plans, transportation, groceries, restaurants, coffee, gym memberships, cinema tickets, average net salary and purchasing-power information.
Is cost of living the same as affordability?
No.
Cost of living describes prices and expenses. Affordability also depends on income and purchasing power.
Is the cheapest country always the best place to live?
No.
Cost is only one factor in an international relocation decision. Visa requirements, taxes, healthcare, safety, climate, infrastructure and lifestyle preferences may also matter.
Can digital nomads use the calculator?
Yes. Digital nomads can use their current monthly budget to compare potential destinations and estimate how far their budget could go.
Can expats use the calculator?
Yes. The calculator is designed to help people compare their current living costs with potential relocation destinations.
Compare Your Cost of Living Today
Where could your current budget take you?
Choose your current country.
Choose a destination.
Enter your monthly budget.
Then see the difference.
Compare 197 countries with monthly refreshed cost-of-living data.
Fresh Data. Real Budgets. 197 Countries.
Megaport makes international cost-of-living comparison simple.
Compare your current lifestyle with 196 other countries, see the costs category by category, and build a more realistic picture of what living abroad could cost you.
Your next destination starts with your budget.
