Best cities to live on $2,000 a month

Every city here fits a full single-person budget — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and extras — under $2,000/month, ranked by overall quality of life so cheap doesn't mean grim.

Methodology: Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $2,000 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 $840/mo of headroom on a $2,000 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 $530/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  3. 3. Hiroshima, Japan

    $1,620/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 96/100

    $1,620/mo all-in leaves $380/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  4. 4. Kanazawa, Japan

    $1,600/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 96/100

    $1,600/mo all-in leaves $400/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  5. 5. Aix-en-Provence, France

    $1,930/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 84/100

    $1,930/mo all-in leaves $70/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  6. 6. Punta del Este, Uruguay

    $1,980/mo · QoL 86/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,980/mo all-in leaves $20/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  7. 7. Taipei, Taiwan

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

    $1,430/mo all-in leaves $570/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 86/100 average quality of life.

  8. 8. Heraklion, Greece

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

    $1,260/mo all-in leaves $740/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  9. 9. Sapporo, Japan

    $1,570/mo · QoL 85/100 · Safety 96/100

    $1,570/mo all-in leaves $430/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  10. 10. Faro, Portugal

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

    $1,490/mo all-in leaves $510/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  11. 11. Pula, Croatia

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

    $1,240/mo all-in leaves $760/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  12. 12. Valletta, Malta

    $1,840/mo · QoL 85/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,840/mo all-in leaves $160/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 85/100 average quality of life.

  13. 13. Boquete, Panama

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

    $1,350/mo all-in leaves $650/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

  14. 14. Limassol, Cyprus

    $1,620/mo · QoL 84/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,620/mo all-in leaves $380/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

  15. 15. Nicosia, Cyprus

    $1,670/mo · QoL 84/100 · Safety 84/100

    $1,670/mo all-in leaves $330/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 84/100 average quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities to live on $2,000 a month — which city is #1?

Kaohsiung, Taiwan tops this list. $1,160/mo all-in leaves $840/mo of headroom on a $2,000 budget, with 89/100 average quality of life. Fukuoka and Hiroshima round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $2,000 qualify; ranked by average quality of life (safety, internet, healthcare, climate). 269 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.