The Cheapest Countries to Live in 2017

If the value of the Loonie is getting you down and you’re looking for greener, more affordable pastures, Numbeo has a handy, updated list of what the cost of living in 121 different countries is. Their data comes from people actually living in those countries rather than from official statistics.

The following gallery of the cheapest countries to live in uses the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index (CLPRI), which estimates the prices of consumer goods and rent in a country and show these as a percentage of the prices of consumer goods plus rent in New York City. Sadly, many of the many of these countries are suffering from poor leadership, instability or worse, civil war. But there are still a few places worth considering.

Philippines one of the cheapest places in Southeast Asia

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20. Philippines

The Philippines has a CLPRI of 21.58. Consumer prices plus rent in this island country are 57.90% lower than in Canada, making the Philippines the cheapest option in Southeast Asia.

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19. Bangladesh

India’s densely populated neighbour to the east has a CLPRI of 21.49. In Bangladesh, consumer prices plus rent are 58.21% lower than in Canada.

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18. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has a CLPRI of 21.41. This large Central Asian country’s consumer prices and rent are 57.63% lower than Canada’s.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina, cheapest places to live

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17. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a CLPRI of 21.23. Consumer prices plus rent are 58.32% lower than in Canada.

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16. Serbia

Serbia’s CLPRI is 21.07. Consumer prices and rent in this Balkan country are 58.43% lower than in Canada.

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15. Uganda

The Central African country of Uganda has a CLPRI of 21.05, making it 58.75% cheaper than Canada in terms of consumer prices and rent. However, Uganda’s human rights record may put off many Canadians.

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Algeria overlooking ocean, cheap place to live

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14. Algeria

Algeria in North Africa has a CLPRI of 20.14. Consumer prices plus rent here are 60.49% lower than in Canada.

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old building in Albania, cheap place to live

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13. Albania

Albania is a great Mediterranean option with a CLPRI of 19.90. Compared to Canada, consumer prices and rent here are 60.80% lower.

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12. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a CLPRI of 19.57. This former Soviet republic on the shores of the Caspian Sea is 64.69% cheaper than Canada in terms of consumer prices and rent.

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colourful flags on street in Mexico, cheap place to live

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11. Mexico

Mexico’s CLPRI of 19.53 is largely due to the weak peso. It’s currently the best Latin American option for Canadians, with consumer prices and rent 60.65% lower than in Canada.

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10. Macedonia

Macedonia is the cheapest of the Balkan countries, with a CLPRI of 18.99. Consumer prices and rent are 62.59% lower here than in Canada.

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9. Moldova

Nestled between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova has a CLPRI of 18.54. Consumer prices and rent in this little-known Eastern European country are 63.43% lower than in Canada.

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8. Georgia

The CLPRI in Georgia, an up-and-coming travel destination, is 18.36. Compared to Canada, Georgia’s consumer prices plus rent are 63.22% lower.

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7. Ukraine

Even though Ukraine has the third lowest consumer prices, rents in this Eastern European country are higher, giving it a CLPRI of 18.14. Consumer prices plus rent are 64.59% lower in Ukraine than in Canada.

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6. Tunisia

Tunisia has a CLPRI of 17.89. The North African country is 65.26% cheaper than Canada in terms of consumer prices and rent.

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5. Syria

Syria’s CLPRI is 16.61 and consumer prices plus rent are 65.72% lower in the Middle Eastern country than in Canada. However, it will likely be decades before Syria is stable enough for even tourism.

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4. Nepal

Even though consumer goods in Nepal are more expensive than in several other countries, rent is cheap, giving the country a CLPRI of 17.24. Consumer prices plus rent are 66.43% lower in Nepal than in Canada.

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3. Pakistan

Pakistan has a CLPRI of 16.57. Consumer prices and rent are 67.94% lower than in Canada.

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2. India

India’s CLPRI is 16.31. Compared to Canada, consumer prices and rent are 68.04% lower in India.

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1. Egypt

The CLPRI for Egypt is 14.05, making the North African country the cheapest to live in according to Numbeo. Consumer prices plus rent are 73.02% lower in Egypt than in Canada.