Find Cities That Match Your Financial Goals

How the Relocation Tool Works

NetWorthCast makes it easy to compare the true cost of living across 44 cities in 11 regions worldwide. Here is how it works:

• Enter your income — monthly or annual, in any currency
• Select your family size — solo, couple, or family with children
• See which cities you can afford — ranked by how much you keep after all expenses
• Drill into detailed cost breakdowns — rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare, and taxes for each city
• Compare side by side — see exactly how moving from one city to another changes your monthly savings

All data is based on current cost-of-living indexes, local tax codes, and real rental market data — updated regularly to reflect actual conditions.

Factors We Analyze

For each of the 44 cities, NetWorthCast calculates eight key cost factors that determine your real financial picture:

Best Cities by Budget

Based on total monthly cost of living (including rent), here is how cities group by budget tier:

These figures assume a single person. Couples and families should expect higher costs — see the Family Size section below.

For FIRE Seekers

If you are pursuing Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), where you live can shave years off your timeline. This strategy is called geographic arbitrage — earning in a strong currency while spending in a low-cost location.

By relocating from New York to Lisbon, you cut your FIRE number by more than half — and reach financial independence years sooner. NetWorthCast models this directly in your FIRE calculator forecast.

Explore the full strategy in our geographic arbitrage guide, or use the relocation tool to see how each city impacts your personal FIRE date.

Family Size Matters

Your household composition dramatically changes the cost equation. Here is how expenses typically scale:

• Rent: A solo person in a studio pays the baseline. Couples typically need a 1-bedroom (1.3x cost). A family needs a 2-bedroom or larger (1.8-2x cost).
• Food: Scales roughly per person — a family of four spends about 3x what a solo person does (children eat less).
• Utilities: Increase 20-40% per additional household member due to higher water, electricity, and internet usage.
• Healthcare: Family plans can cost 2-3x individual coverage, varying widely by country.
• Education: Families may face international school fees of $500-$2,000/month in some cities.

NetWorthCast adjusts all cost calculations based on your selected family size, so you see accurate numbers for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide where to live based on my finances?

Start with your monthly income and subtract your savings goals. The remainder is your cost-of-living budget. NetWorthCast compares 44 cities and shows which ones fit your budget after accounting for rent, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and taxes.

What are the cheapest cities to live in the world?

For remote workers and FIRE seekers, cities like Chiang Mai, Da Nang, Sofia, Buenos Aires, and Tbilisi offer a full cost of living under $1,500 per month — including rent, food, and transportation.

How does family size affect where I should live?

Family size significantly impacts housing costs (couples need 1.3x rent, families 1.8-2x), food scales roughly per person, and utilities increase 20-40% per additional household member. NetWorthCast adjusts all calculations based on your selected family size.

Can relocating help me reach FIRE faster?

Yes. Geographic arbitrage — earning in a strong currency while living in a low-cost area — is one of the most powerful FIRE accelerators. Moving from NYC to Lisbon can cut your monthly expenses by 50-60%, potentially shaving years off your FIRE timeline.

Does NetWorthCast account for taxes on remote income?

Yes. Each city profile includes estimated tax rates for remote workers, covering local income tax obligations, digital nomad visa tax implications, and territorial tax advantages.