Best cities to retire in Asia

Retirement-ready cities in Asia: every pick has a dedicated retirement visa route, ranked on healthcare, safety, climate and how far a pension actually stretches.

Methodology: Only cities with a dedicated retirement visa and solid healthcare (55+) qualify; ranked by a blend of healthcare (30%), safety (25%), climate (25%) and affordability (20%).

  1. 1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Healthcare 76/100 · Safety 82/100 · $910/mo

    Thailand LTR Visa plus 76/100 healthcare on about $910/mo.

  2. 2. Busan, South Korea

    Healthcare 84/100 · Safety 90/100 · $1,690/mo

    Korea F-5 Retirement Residency plus 84/100 healthcare on about $1,690/mo.

  3. 3. Galle, Sri Lanka

    Healthcare 65/100 · Safety 84/100 · $830/mo

    Sri Lanka Resident Guest Scheme plus 65/100 healthcare on about $830/mo.

  4. 4. Penang, Malaysia

    Healthcare 78/100 · Safety 80/100 · $1,170/mo

    MM2H (My Second Home Visa) plus 78/100 healthcare on about $1,170/mo.

  5. 5. Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Healthcare 88/100 · Safety 90/100 · $2,930/mo

    UAE Golden Visa (Retirement Category) plus 88/100 healthcare on about $2,930/mo.

  6. 6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Healthcare 78/100 · Safety 72/100 · $1,100/mo

    Malaysia MM2H Programme plus 78/100 healthcare on about $1,100/mo.

  7. 7. Chiang Rai, Thailand

    Healthcare 58/100 · Safety 82/100 · $690/mo

    Non-Immigrant O-A Visa plus 58/100 healthcare on about $690/mo.

  8. 8. Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Healthcare 66/100 · Safety 72/100 · $905/mo

    Sri Lanka Retirement Visa plus 66/100 healthcare on about $905/mo.

  9. 9. Yogyakarta, Indonesia

    Healthcare 65/100 · Safety 74/100 · $760/mo

    Indonesia Second Home Visa plus 65/100 healthcare on about $760/mo.

  10. 10. Phuket, Thailand

    Healthcare 74/100 · Safety 72/100 · $1,275/mo

    Thailand Retirement O-A Visa plus 74/100 healthcare on about $1,275/mo.

  11. 11. Bangkok, Thailand

    Healthcare 82/100 · Safety 74/100 · $1,380/mo

    Thailand Retirement O-A Visa plus 82/100 healthcare on about $1,380/mo.

  12. 12. Siem Reap, Cambodia

    Healthcare 60/100 · Safety 72/100 · $850/mo

    Cambodia ER Retirement E-Class Extension plus 60/100 healthcare on about $850/mo.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities to retire in Asia — which city is #1?

Chiang Mai, Thailand tops this list. Thailand LTR Visa plus 76/100 healthcare on about $910/mo. Busan and Galle round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with a dedicated retirement visa and solid healthcare (55+) qualify; ranked by a blend of healthcare (30%), safety (25%), climate (25%) and affordability (20%). 17 catalog cities in Asia qualified for this list; the top 12 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.

How much does it cost to live in the top city in Asia?

Chiang Mai runs about $910/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Chiang Mai city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.