Cost of living, fact-checked

What does your ideal life really cost?

Work out your Freedom Number, the monthly amount that pays for the life you actually want. Then see which countries it goes furthest in.

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Free Google Sheet. It opens as your own copy, so you can type in your own costs.

Three steps to your number

No sign-up and no spreadsheet skills needed. Everything updates as you type.

1

Price your life

Enter what you would spend each month on housing, food, transport, health and fun.

2

Get your number

The sheet adds it up into your monthly Freedom Number, and your yearly total.

3

See where it fits

Compare it with real cost ranges by country and lifestyle, and see where you would be comfortable.

Country breakdowns

One country at a time, with figures checked against sources. Estimates are for one person.

Live

Thailand

24,000 to 30,000 baht a month, modest, outside Bangkok
ComfortableAbout 33,500 to 77,000 baht a month (roughly 1,000 to 2,300 US dollars).
Chiang Mai vs BangkokA lean Chiang Mai budget is about 700 to 1,000 US dollars a month. Bangkok mid-range is about 1,200 to 1,800.
PropertyForeigners cannot own land, but can own a condo freehold, up to 49 percent of a building. Check the quota first.

Sources: The Thaiger (2026), WhereNext (2026), CBRE Thailand.

Next

Spain

The cheapest towns to buy a home, based on the latest property portal data.

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