Best cities in Asia to live on $1,500 a month

Every city here in Asia 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. Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

    $1,400/mo · QoL 81/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,400/mo all-in leaves $100/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 81/100 average quality of life.

  5. 5. Aqaba, Jordan

    $1,260/mo · QoL 80/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,260/mo all-in leaves $240/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 80/100 average quality of life.

  6. 6. Bangalore, India

    $1,120/mo · QoL 77/100 · Safety 72/100

    $1,120/mo all-in leaves $380/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 77/100 average quality of life.

  7. 7. Penang, Malaysia

    $1,170/mo · QoL 77/100 · Safety 80/100

    $1,170/mo all-in leaves $330/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 77/100 average quality of life.

  8. 8. Chiang Mai, Thailand

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

    $910/mo all-in leaves $590/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 76/100 average quality of life.

  9. 9. Galle, Sri Lanka

    $830/mo · QoL 76/100 · Safety 84/100

    $830/mo all-in leaves $670/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 76/100 average quality of life.

  10. 10. Batumi, Georgia

    $940/mo · QoL 75/100 · Safety 78/100

    $940/mo all-in leaves $560/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 75/100 average quality of life.

  11. 11. Nha Trang, Vietnam

    $780/mo · QoL 75/100 · Safety 78/100

    $780/mo all-in leaves $720/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 75/100 average quality of life.

  12. 12. Pokhara, Nepal

    $640/mo · QoL 75/100 · Safety 84/100

    $640/mo all-in leaves $860/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 75/100 average quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities in Asia 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). 58 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?

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.