The Fixed-Reference International Cost-of-Living Benchmark 2026

24 international cities compared by a modeled cost-only timeline, not an after-tax or eligibility-adjusted FIRE outcome.

Location costs can change a savings projection. This index applies the same deterministic cost-only model to 24 curated hubs for one reference worker. It is a screening estimate, not a personalized prediction or proof that the worker can legally or tax-efficiently live in a city.

Last updated 2026-08-25 · v2026.1

How the fixed-reference cost order is calculated

Every hub uses the same fixed reference profile: a United States-based remote worker earning $90,000/yr, spending $45,000/yr, with $50,000 invested. We vary modeled city cost and an estimated one-time relocation cost. The displayed timeline change is cost-only: it excludes current and destination taxes, treaty and account treatment, visa eligibility and costs, FX, local inflation, and sequence-of-returns risk. Tax and visa eligibility remain neutral until the required personal inputs are checked.

Reference profile

Home country
United States
Annual income
$90,000
Annual expenses
$45,000
Current savings
$50,000
Home monthly cost of living
$3,750
Home median (burn baseline)
$2,000
Fixed-reference cost benchmark

Cost comparison only — personal rank is withheld

The order uses one fixed worker profile and modeled city costs. It is not your after-tax FIRE result and does not establish legal eligibility.

Personalize the comparison
  • Tax is excluded until citizenship, residence, treaty, income, accounts, and sources pass verification.
  • Visa eligibility is not checked for this person.
  • No personal overall rank is calculated.
24 hubs shown

  1. Reference cost rank #1

    Da Nang, Vietnam

    Asia

    $950/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    12.8 yrs
    Burn reduction
    53%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    80 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Da Nang

  2. Reference cost rank #2

    Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Asia

    $1,100/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    12.2 yrs
    Burn reduction
    45%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    90 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Chiang Mai

  3. Reference cost rank #3

    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Asia

    $1,200/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    11.8 yrs
    Burn reduction
    40%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    85 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Ho Chi Minh City

  4. Reference cost rank #4

    Tbilisi, Georgia

    Asia

    $1,400/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    11.1 yrs
    Burn reduction
    30%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    70 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Tbilisi

  5. Reference cost rank #5

    Medellín, Colombia

    South America

    $1,400/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    11.1 yrs
    Burn reduction
    30%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    80 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Medellín

  6. Reference cost rank #6

    Ubud, Indonesia

    Asia

    $1,450/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    10.9 yrs
    Burn reduction
    28%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    65 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Ubud

  7. Reference cost rank #7

    Denpasar, Indonesia

    Asia

    $1,500/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    10.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    25%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    65 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Denpasar

  8. Reference cost rank #8

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Asia

    $1,500/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    10.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    25%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    100 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Kuala Lumpur

  9. Reference cost rank #9

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    South America

    $1,500/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    10.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    25%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    75 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Buenos Aires

  10. Reference cost rank #10

    Belgrade, Serbia

    Europe

    $1,600/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    10.3 yrs
    Burn reduction
    20%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    90 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Belgrade

  11. Reference cost rank #11

    Bucharest, Romania

    Europe

    $1,700/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.8 yrs
    Burn reduction
    15%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    110 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Bucharest

  12. Reference cost rank #12

    Cape Town, South Africa

    Africa

    $1,800/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.4 yrs
    Burn reduction
    10%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    65 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Cape Town

  13. Reference cost rank #13

    Bangkok, Thailand

    Asia

    $1,800/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.4 yrs
    Burn reduction
    10%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    120 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Bangkok

  14. Reference cost rank #14

    Kraków, Poland

    Europe

    $1,800/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.4 yrs
    Burn reduction
    10%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    100 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Kraków

  15. Reference cost rank #15

    Budapest, Hungary

    Europe

    $1,900/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.0 yrs
    Burn reduction
    5%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    100 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Budapest

  16. Reference cost rank #16

    Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    North America

    $1,900/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    9.0 yrs
    Burn reduction
    5%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    75 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Playa del Carmen

  17. Reference cost rank #17

    Mexico City, Mexico

    North America

    $2,000/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    8.6 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    3
    Internet
    80 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Mexico City

  18. Reference cost rank #18

    Funchal, Portugal

    Europe

    $2,100/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    8.2 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    95 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Funchal

  19. Reference cost rank #19

    Split, Croatia

    Europe

    $2,200/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    7.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    90 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Split

  20. Reference cost rank #20

    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    Europe

    $2,200/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    7.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    90 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

  21. Reference cost rank #21

    Porto, Portugal

    Europe

    $2,200/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    7.7 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    100 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Porto

  22. Reference cost rank #22

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Europe

    $2,300/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    7.3 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    5
    Internet
    120 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Tallinn

  23. Reference cost rank #23

    Valencia, Spain

    Europe

    $2,300/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    7.3 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    100 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Valencia

  24. Reference cost rank #24

    Lisbon, Portugal

    Europe

    $2,600/mo

    Cost-only years estimate
    5.9 yrs
    Burn reduction
    0%
    Safety
    4
    Internet
    110 Mbps
    Tax context
    Personal check needed
    Visa context
    Personal check needed
    Run your numbers for Lisbon

Compare the cost-only estimate with your plan

This screening ranking uses one reference profile. A decision-grade result also needs your tax residence and treaty position, income and account types, visa eligibility, currencies, inflation, and scenario risk.

Run a personal FI estimate

Illustrative cost-only screening estimate for one fixed reference profile (a US remote worker earning $90,000/yr and spending $45,000/yr). Taxes and treaties, visa eligibility and costs, FX, local inflation, and sequence-of-returns risk are excluded from the timeline and reference cost order. Tax and visa context requires a personal check. Do not use this as an after-tax FIRE, legal-eligibility, financial, tax, or immigration decision.