End-to-start menu readers are planners, skeptics, and quiet contrarians—here’s what that habit reveals about your brain (and how to order smarter).
If you’re picturing lazy mornings, walkable streets, and healthcare that doesn’t turn every checkup into a spreadsheet, you don’t need another dreamy list—you need numbers you can actually plan with.
I pulled fresh 2025 data on rent, daily costs, safety, and healthcare, then pressure-tested it against the visas retirees really use.
The result isn’t a fantasy map — it’s a ranked, middle-class-friendly shortlist that shows where your money stretches and where it snaps.
Some usual darlings slipped.
A few quiet contenders sprinted to the front.
Before you start packing, start here: ten countries, most affordable to most expensive, and what those price tags feel like in real life.
1) Vietnam — most affordable
Day‑to‑day costs and rents are still among the lowest in the world’s retirement circuit.
Numbeo’s 2025 mid‑year rankings place Vietnam in the bottom tier for rents globally (rent index under ~10), with consumer prices that are a fraction of Western Europe/North America.
Coffee, produce, transit, and simple meals remain strikingly inexpensive outside the most touristy pockets.
Livability pulse: Vietnam sits mid‑pack on Safety; big cities feel energetic but chaotic, smaller cities/coastal towns are calmer. Healthcare is a mix—good private options in major hubs, thinner elsewhere.
Visa headline: Long‑stay options exist via multi‑entry visas and renewals; requirements change—work with an immigration specialist if you want a multi‑year plan.
2) Colombia
Rents and services are low even in big cities. Numbeo’s 2025 rent index keeps Colombia near the bottom globally (single digits), and consumer prices remain friendly.
Regional cities (Medellín, Bucaramanga) deliver strong value relative to coastal tourist hubs.
Livability pulse: Safety varies by neighborhood/city; retirees gravitate to well‑known zones. Private healthcare is robust in major metros.
Visa headline: Retirement (“pensionado”) and resident paths exist; consult current consulate guidance for income thresholds.
3) Malaysia
Low rents (Numbeo rent index around low single digits) and efficient, inexpensive food and transit—especially outside central KL and Penang’s priciest blocks. English is widely used, smoothing daily life.
Livability pulse: Safety is mid‑range; healthcare quality is a bright spot—private hospitals are modern and relatively affordable.
Visa headline: The MM2H program has tightened/loosened in cycles; requirements differ by state—get the latest rules before planning.
4) Thailand
Still excellent value for rent and food; Numbeo keeps Thailand’s rent index low (~12). Coastal resort towns cost more, but second‑tier cities offer standout affordability.
Livability pulse: Safety scores are solid, and private healthcare in Bangkok/Chiang Mai is a regional strength, though rural depth varies.
Visa headline: Thailand’s revamped Long‑Term Resident (LTR) and retirement (O/O‑A) visas offer multi‑year stability if you meet age/income or asset tests; start with an up‑to‑date overview and compare LTR vs. O‑A paths.
5) Philippines
Why it’s cheap: Ultra‑low rents (Numbeo rent index often <7) and inexpensive services—especially outside Makati/BGC and island hot spots—keep monthly costs down.
Livability pulse: Safety is mixed by region; stick to established expat neighborhoods/islands. Private hospitals are clustered around Manila and Cebu.
Visa headline: The SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) remains the flagship; deposit and age rules vary—check the PRA’s latest tables.
6) Mexico
Mexico is considered cheap currently, but it's definitely rising. Groceries, dining, and services stay affordable; rents vary widely (CDMX/Los Cabos up, mid‑sized cities still mellow). Numbeo’s 2025 rent index places Mexico in the low‑teens band—cheaper than Southern Europe, pricier than Southeast Asia.
Livability pulse: Safety is highly location‑dependent; pick well‑known retiree corridors and be neighborhood‑specific. Private healthcare is strong in larger cities.
Visa headline: Temporary and permanent residency are accessible, but income/savings thresholds vary by consulate in 2025—use a current guide and confirm at your target consulate before you budget.
7) Greece
Greece comes with EU perks). Rents here are low by Western‑EU standards (Numbeo rent index ~12), and day‑to‑day prices are reasonable outside peak‑tourism zones. Aegean islands cost more; inland and second‑tier coastal towns are bargains.
Livability pulse: Safety is mid‑pack in the EU, healthcare access is improving with an expanding private tier.
Visa headline: Non‑EU retirees use national visas/financially independent person permits; tax incentives have existed in recent years—verify current regime.
8) Portugal
Portugal is definitely not “cheap” anymore. Its rents have risen significantly in 2025.
Numbeo’s mid‑year rent index is now above Spain’s and far above Greece’s, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and along the Algarve. Daily costs are still friendlier than much of Western Europe, but housing drives budgets.
Livability pulse: Safety scores are strong and healthcare quality is high; many retirees blend public coverage with private top‑ups.
Visa headline: The classic D7 passive‑income route still works; 2025 guidance pegs the minimum income at roughly the Portuguese minimum wage (~€870/month for a single applicant)—confirm spouse/dependent add‑ons and local updates before you file,
9) Spain
Spain is pricier than Portugal in practice, but very close. In fact, on Numbeo, Spain’s rent index sits very close to Portugal’s (low 20s vs low 20s), but big‑city and beach premiums can add up fast.
The flip side is that deep grocery markets and competitive intercity transit keep non‑housing costs in check.
Livability pulse: Safety and healthcare are reliably strong, and infrastructure makes car‑free living plausible in many towns.
Visa headline: Non‑EU retirees typically use the non‑lucrative visa (NLV) or digital/entrepreneur routes; Spain’s tax treatment is nuanced—get advice if you have pensions/investments.
10) Costa Rica — most expensive on this list
Why it’s the splurge pick: Rents and grocery/restaurant prices have climbed with inbound demand and import costs; Numbeo places Costa Rica’s rent index well above Mexico/Thailand/Malaysia (upper‑teens) and daily costs track closer to Southern Europe than to regional neighbors. The nature premium is real—so is the price.
Livability pulse: Safety is middling by Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index; private healthcare is good in the Central Valley and coastal hubs.
Visa headline: Pensionado/rentista tracks remain, but healthcare enrollment and income proof are must‑knows—confirm current Caja/Residency details before moving.
How I built (and checked) the ranking
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Primary signal: Numbeo’s 2025 mid‑year Cost of Living and Rent indices by country. These snapshots are updated mid‑year and let you compare relative, basket‑level prices across countries where retirees actually move.
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Reality checks: Numbeo’s Safety Index and Health Care Index helped contextualize “cheap” vs. “livable,” so a low rent didn’t blind us to a safety or care gap.
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Visa friction: Where rules materially affect retirees’ budgets, I cited current 2025 explainers—Portugal D7, Mexico residency, and Thailand LTR/retirement—as starting points. Visa rules evolve; these links keep you current as you plan.
However, there are many things this ranking does not do, and most importantly, it doesn’t award “best overall to retire.” For that, you’d layer in tax treaties, language, climate, and proximity to family.
If you want a broader, narrative‑driven take that blends costs with lifestyle, run the Global Retirement Index (2025) as a second lens (useful, though more subjective and multi‑factor than a pure price list).
For city‑by‑city expat prices, Mercer’s 2024/25 city rankings add texture — just remember they’re designed for corporate assignments, not retirees on local budgets.
Bottom line
If you’re optimizing purely for affordability, Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand) and parts of Latin America (Colombia, Mexico, Philippines) still carry the crown.
Southern Europe (Greece, Portugal, Spain) buys you EU stability and healthcare quality at a higher housing cost.
Costa Rica is the beauty tax.
Whichever short list you build, pressure‑test three numbers in the exact town you’d live: a one‑bedroom rent, private clinic visit cost, and monthly transit/broadband.
If those look calm—and the safety/visa boxes check out—you’re likely staring at a retirement you can afford and enjoy.
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