10 budget-friendly Asian countries where your money goes further for retirees and others

Your dollar can stretch three to four times further in Asia than in the United States. In India, you can live comfortably on about $270 a month, excluding rent. In Thailand, it costs about $600 a month to have beach access, excellent street food, and world-class health care. And in Vietnam, $350 covers your monthly expenses in a country where a full meal costs less than a Starbucks coffee.

Not only are these destinations less expensive, but they offer stunning scenery, rich cultures, and levels of safety that rival Western countries, as well as visa programs designed for retirees and remote workers. If you’re hoping to make your retirement savings last much longer — or simply want a higher quality of life for a lower cost — these Asian destinations offer affordability and adventure.

Thailand

• Why? Beaches along 2,000 miles of coastline, modern hospitals staffed by English-speaking doctors at one-third Western costs, a year-round warm climate, and extensive infrastructure in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
• Visa options: Retirement visa (50+), tourist visa extendable to 60-90 days, and for digital nomads, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
• Estimated cost of living: $600 (here and below, estimated cost of living for one person per month, without rent).

Vietnam

• Why? Rapid economic growth, UNESCO World Heritage sites including Ha Long Bay and Hoi An, French colonial architecture, one of the lowest crime rates in Asia, and coastal towns with modern amenities.
• Visa options: Vietnam offers a 90-day visa to travelers. It does not have a retirement visa or digital nomad visa specifically, but this can be overcome by setting up or investing in a Vietnamese company or obtaining a work visa.
• Estimated cost of living: $350.

Malaysia

• Why? English is the official language, Kuala Lumpur is among the most liveable cities in Asia, and tropical rainforests cover 60% of the country.
• Visa options: Malaysia has specific visa programs for retirees and digital nomads, while travelers generally use short-term tourist visas of up to 90 days.
• Estimated cost of living: $450.

Indonesia

• Why? With more than 17,000 islands offering diverse climates and lifestyles, Bali boasts an established tourism community characterized by Western amenities, volcanic landscapes and tropical weather with consistently warm temperatures ranging from 80°F to 90°F. All year round.
• Visa options: The tourist visa is valid for 60 days and can be extended twice. There is also a Retirement Visa for individuals aged 55 or over, as well as a Digital Nomad Visa designed specifically for remote workers.
• Estimated cost of living: $375.

Filipino

• Why? English is an official language and is widely spoken; 7,600 islands offer endless beach access, Manila offers international connections with direct flights to major cities, and Spanish and American influences provide a familiar cultural touchstone for Westerners.
• Visa options: The Philippines offers visas to travelers and retirees aged 60 or over, and in 2025, introduced a specific visa for nomads.
• Estimated cost of living: $410.

Cambodia

• Why? The US dollar is the de facto currency (eliminating exchange rate risk), and Phnom Penh has minimal bureaucracy for long-term stays and a rapidly developing infrastructure.
• Visa options: Cambodia offers travelers a 30-day extendable visa and retirees with sufficient funds a one-year renewable visa. As of 2025, there is no digital nomad visa, and many remote workers use the regular renewable traveler visa and then extend it to an EB business visa.
• Estimated cost of living: $450.

Laos

• Why? Laos is less developed than its neighbors, and has fewer tourists, access to the Mekong River, French colonial influence in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and Buddhist temples throughout the country.
• Visa options: For digital nomads and retirees, there are no specific visas; Long-term stays are generally pursued through LA-B2 work visas arranged via a sponsor or agency.
• Estimated cost of living: $375.

Sri Lanka

• Why? The island nation has about 1,000 miles of coastline, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, tea plantations in the cooler hill country, and Colombo International Airport is connected to major hubs in Asia and the Middle East.
• Visa options: The most straightforward way is to enter on a tourist visa, which lasts for 30 days but can be extended for up to 270 days. However, digital nomads will soon be able to apply for a new visa designed specifically for remote workers, while retirees can qualify through the My Dream Home Visa program.
• Estimated cost of living: $400.

Nepal

• Why? Access to the Himalayas, including Mount Everest Base Camp treks; Ancient temples and palaces in Kathmandu Valley; Spiritual tourism sites; The cost of living is among the lowest in Asia.
• Visa options: Nepal offers a standard tourist visa, a residence visa for retirees that requires a certificate of regular income of at least $20,000 per year, and is set to launch a new five-year visa for remote workers.
• Estimated cost of living: $270.

India

• Why? A large country with vastly different climates, cuisines and cultures, mild-weather colonial-era hill stations, Goa’s beach communities popular with long-term foreign residents, and a large English-speaking population.
• Visa options: India does not have a specific digital nomad or retirement visa. Options include applying for a one- or five-year multiple-entry e-tourist visa or a one-year e-business visa.
• Estimated cost of living: $270.