10 of the Cheapest European Countries to Move to (and What It’ll Actually Cost You)

So, you’re fed up. The rent is too high, your healthcare bill reads like a ransom note, and your avocado habit is now considered “bougie.” You want out—but not to another overpriced Western European capital where a croissant costs your dignity. You want affordable. Safe. Not secretly awful.

Let’s break down 10 countries in Europe where your dollar stretches farther, you can breathe a little, and maybe even thrive. Bonus: this isn’t just “cheap for Europe”—this is “cheap compared to what your sad American wallet is used to.”

1. Bulgaria

Cost of Living: Around $1,000–$1,300/month for one person
Rent: $350 for a one-bedroom in Sofia. Go rural? $200 is normal.
Safety: Generally safe, especially in smaller towns. Petty crime in cities, but no dystopia.
Community: Quiet but warming up to expats. Plovdiv’s got charm and some digital nomads.
U.S. Comparison: That’s half the rent of a broom closet in Austin. You could rent three apartments and still afford snacks.

2. Romania

Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,400/month
Rent: $300–$500 in cities like Cluj or Brasov
Safety: Surprisingly chill. Violent crime is rare, but watch your wallet on public transit.
Community: Cluj has a solid expat vibe. Bucharest too, if you like noise.
U.S. Comparison: In the U.S., $1,400 gets you an apartment and a roommate who never does dishes. In Romania? You get space, food, and dental care.

3. Portugal (especially inland)

Cost of Living: $1,200–$1,800/month
Rent: Lisbon’s a beast, but head inland: $400–$600/month.
Safety: One of the safest in Europe. Great for solo travelers and women.
Community: Friendly, warm, and used to expats, especially in places like Coimbra or Braga.
U.S. Comparison: U.S. life = anxiety and a gun under your pillow. Portugal = wine, healthcare, and strangers saying bom dia like they mean it.

4. Georgia (the country, not the fried chicken state)

Cost of Living: $900–$1,200/month
Rent: $250–$400 in Tbilisi
Safety: Very safe. The occasional sketchy taxi, but that’s universal.
Community: Strong digital nomad scene. Friendly locals, epic food.
U.S. Comparison: Georgia lets you stay visa-free for a year. The U.S. gives you three days off and a pizza party.

5. Albania

Cost of Living: $800–$1,000/month
Rent: $200–$400 for a decent apartment
Safety: Safe for foreigners, especially in beach towns. Just don’t drive like the locals.
Community: Underrated. Tirana and Sarandë are growing with nomads.
U.S. Comparison: Albania gives you beaches for less than the cost of parking in Miami.

6. Poland (outside the big cities)

Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,500/month
Rent: $350–$600 outside Warsaw and Kraków
Safety: Clean, structured, and safe. Think Midwest with castles.
Community: Smaller cities = less English, but big expat clusters in Kraków and Wrocław.
U.S. Comparison: Imagine rent that doesn’t come with a 12-month blood pact and credit check.

7. North Macedonia

Cost of Living: $900–$1,100/month
Rent: $200–$400 in Skopje
Safety: Generally safe. Chill culture, low crime.
Community: Small but growing expat scene. Locals are welcoming.
U.S. Comparison: North Macedonia lets you live like a human, not a stressed hamster in a wheel.

8. Serbia

Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,400/month
Rent: $300–$500 in Belgrade
Safety: Big cities have typical city stuff. But overall? Very livable.
Community: Belgrade’s digital nomad vibe is legit.
U.S. Comparison: Serbia offers riverside cafés, not sad desk lunches and existential dread.

9. Hungary (outside Budapest)

Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,500/month
Rent: $300–$500 in smaller towns
Safety: Very safe, even at night.
Community: Slower pace in small towns, but Budapest has options.
U.S. Comparison: Hungary says, “Healthcare? Of course.” America says, “That’ll be $1,200 with insurance.”

10. Slovakia

Cost of Living: $1,200–$1,600/month
Rent: $400–$600 in cities like Košice
Safety: Exceptionally safe. Very chill.
Community: Smaller expat population, but growing. Great nature, decent pace of life.
U.S. Comparison: In Slovakia, you can hike a mountain and afford rent. In the U.S., you cry on the subway while checking Zillow.

Final Thoughts: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Compromised

These places aren’t just “cheap”—they’re livable. Safe. Full of culture, community, and non-toxic lifestyles. Yes, you’ll trade in some convenience. You’ll need to be patient, flexible, and open-minded. But what you’ll gain? Peace. Space. The right to exist without bleeding money.