21. Two Kilos of Potatoes
Where: Santiago, Chile
Est. Average Income: $795*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $2,400* (per month/family of 4)
Santiago, Chile, is a place full of diversity and culture, but it doesn’t have a thriving economy. As such, many residents struggle to make ends meet, with good jobs scarce and the cost of living high. For visitors though, it can be the perfect, cheap destination to visit.
ccordova/Flickr
For instance, if you find yourself looking for some veggies to make a wholesome dinner, you can get a shedload of potatoes for less than a dollar. These colorful specimens are much more flavorful than those you’ll find in everyday American supermarkets, too.
22. A Pint at a Bar
Where: Bratislava, Slovakia
Est. Average Income: $2,500*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $2,600* (per month/family of 4)
Slovakia might be a million miles away from Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean that locations like Bratislava are much different when it comes to living costs. The capital city is a bustling mecca for culture, but it’s not cheap to live there. It is, however, pretty cheap to get a beer.
Nu Spirit Bar/TripAdvisor
You can stumble into most bars and pick up a brewski for just $1, which means a night out on the tiles is pretty cheap. If you’re planning on moving there, you’ll be pleased to know that the average salary stacks up nicely against the cost of living.
23. Two Shots of “Guaro”
Where: Buenos Aires, Costa Rica
Est. Average Income: $1,200*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,600* (per month/family of 4)
When we take a vacation, it’s only natural that we want to soak up the sites, sounds, and tastes of the country we’re staying in. Buenos Aires in Costa Rica is a paradise for foodies and those looking to get a little tipsy.
Two Shots of “Guaro”@elsabordelobueno / Pinterest
Guaro is a special sweet liquor that’s made especially in Costa Rica, so it’s popular with the locals. It’s also a rite of passage for any traveler to have a shot or five, but don’t panic. You can buy two servings of Guaro for just $1. All that’s left is for you to say, “Pura Vida!” and hope your hangover is worth it.
24. A Bottle of Wine
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Est. Average Income: $900*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $2000* (per month/family of 4)
Budapest is arguably one of the most beautifully historic cities in the world. Tourists flock there every year to take in the sights and enjoy the Christmas markets, while locals love living there, too. It’s not hard to see why, as the cost of living really isn’t all that expensive – plus, one dollar will get you an entire bottle of wine.
City and Wine/TripAdvisor
If that’s not a reason to move to a European city, then what is? Wine in the United States will set you back at least triple that at stores like Walmart. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life, but you do need a nice, cool glass of wine in one of the world’s finest cities.
25. Half a Bottle of Red Wine
Where: Kunság, Hungary
Est. Average Income: $900*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $2,000* (per month/family of 4)
Wine is essential to adulthood, whether you’re just a tourist or living somewhere permanently. Few dinners feel good without an accompanying glass of wine, and that’s the case in every country. But when you’re drinking something every other night, you cannot be spending heaps and heaps of money on it.
Half a Bottle of Red Wine ©MaksLogvinov/Shutterstock
While good-quality wine can range up to hundreds of dollars, even the cheapest of red wines in the USA will cost you around ten dollars if you want something that’s actually drinkable. However, Hungary keeps up with its reputation of being one of the cheaper countries in the European Union, allowing you to bag a bottle of red wine for just one dollar.
26. A Bowl of Noodles
Where: Thailand
Est. Average Income: $2,860*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,997* (per month/family of 4)
Bangkok is a pretty affordable option for those looking to have an international vacation, and it’s considered the most expensive city in Thailand, so you can take a guess about how cheap the rest of the country is.
A Bowl of Noodles @hey.noodles/Instagram
Noodles are an essential part of Thai cuisine, and no one does noodles as well as they do. While almost every restaurant or street cart will have an extensive list of noodle dishes to pick from, the cheapest one will cost you somewhere around one dollar. It’s a steal for all those who love trying out local food during their tourist visits.
27. A Loaf of Bread
Where: Baghdad, Iraq
Est. Average Income: $1,380*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,790* (per month/family of 4)
While Iraq is still cheaper than the USA, it’s not the most affordable country on this list. The average monthly cost of living still adds up to a considerable amount, and the fact that it’s more than the average income makes it all the more challenging.
A Loaf of Bread ©Golden Brown/Shutterstock.ocm
A loaf of bread might be one of the simpler breakfast items, but there is so much that you can do with it. Bread can be found for pretty low prices in many countries in the Middle East and Africa, making it a popular breakfast choice in the area.
28. Ten Cups of Tea
Where: Mumbai, India
Est. Average Income: $440*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,300* (per month/family of 4)
Tea, or Chai in the local languages, is one of the most popular drinks all across the subcontinent. Many can’t start their day without having a cup of this holy grail; others drink multiple cups throughout the day. Watch any Bollywood show on Netflix, and you’ll understand just how loved this drink is in the region.
Ten Cups of Tea ©Sebastian Castelier/Shutterstock
One of the main reasons tea is such a famous drink in India is that even the poorest of people can afford to have at least one cup daily. You can have a cup for as low as 3 INR, which is just $0.03. Every place, from an upscale restaurant to a street vendor, will be selling its version of this beverage, which is a must-try if you’re in the country.
29. One Arepa Con Queso
Where: Colombia
Est. Average Income: $1,056*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,588* (per month/family of 4)
Colombian food is one of the biggest attractions for anyone who visits the country. The rich and earthy flavors apparent in all the dishes make the cuisine one-of-a-kind and a must-try when you’re in the area.
One Arepa Con Queso ©cesarardilah/Shutterstock
The good part is that it is also quite affordable. There is so much you can get for one dollar or less in Colombia, and the local dish, Arepa Von Queso, is just one of those things. It’s a kind of cornmeal cake that comes with cheese on top, and you can grab it from any street vendor you come across.
30. One Bottle of Tanduay Rum
Where: Philippines
Est. Average Income: $1,100*
Est. Average Cost of Living: $1,900* (per month/family of 4)
Tanduay Rum became the world’s biggest rum brand in 2021, and it was for a good reason. The rum has a unique taste that comes from the specific process it’s made through. The flavors are very particular to the Philippines, which is where the company originates from, yet they can be enjoyed by people worldwide.
One Bottle of Tanduay Rum @beveragetestinginstitute3483/Youtube
The brand came to the US just ten years ago, in 2013, and its prices are pretty high here, owing to its exquisite taste. But if you were in the home country, you could get a bottle for as low as $1 and just enjoy what all the hype is about. And even though you can now find the beverage in the States, there’s nothing like enjoying it on its original shores.