Countries with the Lowest Cost of Living in 2025
Egypt ranks #1 for affordability with a cost of living index of 15.0 — well below the global median.
Updated March 2026
Key takeaways
- Egypt tops the ranking for lowest cost of living at 15.0.
- 153 countries scored — top 3 are Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan.
- Methodology: deterministic, sourced from NoodlePants' tracked dataset, refreshed March 2026.
Top 10 at a glance
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What affects lowest cost of living?
Cost of living indices weight rent, groceries, transport, and restaurant prices. A low index usually maps to lower local wages too.
Imported goods (electronics, foreign brands) often cost the same or more in cheap-COL countries due to import duties.
Big cities in low-COL countries can be 50–100% more expensive than secondary cities in the same country.
Frequently asked
Which country has the lowest cost of living?
Egypt currently leads with 15.0.
Can foreigners buy property in Egypt?
Yes — foreigners can generally buy property in Egypt, though local taxes and registration apply.
How do I compare countries internationally?
Use the interactive world map or take the matchmaking quiz.