Best cities to live on $1,500 a month

Every city here fits a full single-person budget — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and extras — under $1,500/month, ranked by overall quality of life so cheap doesn't mean grim.

Methodology: Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $1,500 qualify; ranked by average quality of life (safety, internet, healthcare, climate).

  1. 1. Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    $1,160/mo · QoL 89/100 · Safety 92/100

    $1,160/mo all-in leaves $340/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 89/100 average quality of life.

  2. 2. Fukuoka, Japan

    $1,470/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 95/100

    $1,470/mo all-in leaves $30/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  3. 3. Taipei, Taiwan

    $1,430/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 92/100

    $1,430/mo all-in leaves $70/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  4. 4. Heraklion, Greece

    $1,260/mo · QoL 85/100 · Safety 90/100

    $1,260/mo all-in leaves $240/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  5. 5. Faro, Portugal

    $1,490/mo · QoL 85/100 · Safety 84/100

    $1,490/mo all-in leaves $10/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  6. 6. Pula, Croatia

    $1,240/mo · QoL 85/100 · Safety 90/100

    $1,240/mo all-in leaves $260/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  7. 7. Boquete, Panama

    $1,350/mo · QoL 84/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,350/mo all-in leaves $150/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

  8. 8. Pécs, Hungary

    $1,005/mo · QoL 84/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,005/mo all-in leaves $495/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

  9. 9. Maribor, Slovenia

    $1,130/mo · QoL 84/100 · Safety 92/100

    $1,130/mo all-in leaves $370/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

  10. 10. Cádiz, Spain

    $1,430/mo · QoL 83/100 · Safety 84/100

    $1,430/mo all-in leaves $70/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 83/100 average quality of life.

  11. 11. Kotor, Montenegro

    $1,190/mo · QoL 83/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,190/mo all-in leaves $310/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 83/100 average quality of life.

  12. 12. Alicante, Spain

    $1,370/mo · QoL 82/100 · Safety 78/100

    $1,370/mo all-in leaves $130/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life.

  13. 13. Madeira, Portugal

    $1,355/mo · QoL 82/100 · Safety 84/100

    $1,355/mo all-in leaves $145/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life.

  14. 14. Coimbra, Portugal

    $1,300/mo · QoL 82/100 · Safety 82/100

    $1,300/mo all-in leaves $200/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life.

  15. 15. Kigali, Rwanda

    $1,175/mo · QoL 82/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,175/mo all-in leaves $325/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities to live on $1,500 a month — which city is #1?

Kaohsiung, Taiwan tops this list. $1,160/mo all-in leaves $340/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 89/100 average quality of life. Fukuoka and Taipei round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $1,500 qualify; ranked by average quality of life (safety, internet, healthcare, climate). 198 catalog cities qualified for this list; the top 15 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?

Kaohsiung runs about $1,160/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Kaohsiung city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.