Just $1,500 a month buys you a better life overseas than $6,000 does in the USA. How do I know? I’ve lived abroad for nearly a decade – bought property, gotten residency in several countries, used the healthcare system in a few, met my fiancée, scaled a couple businesses, and built a life that’s not just cheaper, but healthier, freer, and more enjoyable. And I’m not the only one. Millions of Americans are quietly doing the same.

So today, I’m breaking down my real monthly costs overseas, what categories will save you the most if you choose to move abroad, which countries give you the best value, and how you can figure out if this move makes sense for you.

In order to find out if you’d save big time by moving abroad, we have to establish your baseline: What does it actually cost to live a decent, middle- to-upper-class life in the U.S.?

For most soon-to-retire or retired Americans, it’s somewhere around $5,000–$10,000 a month – and that’s just the basics.

• Rent or mortgage: $2,000–$4,000
• Healthcare and insurance: $1,000–$3,000
• Groceries: $750–$1,000
• Transportation: $1,000
• Miscellaneous: $2,000+

And forget about taxes. Even in retirement, you could be handing over 15–25% of your income depending on your Social Security and IRA distributions.

And what do you get for that money? Stress? Traffic? Poor service at the DMV? Shootings on the news (not a political statement)? Every year, it feels like things get more expensive and provide even less than before. That’s a terrible quality-of-life formula in my opinion.

Hey, I’m not blaming you or anyone for that matter! I was no different. I was living in an American city just getting by before I left the country. I spent just about as much as I made, and after taxes, man… I was under water. I’m just lucky I had a cushion to fall back on and was adventurous enough to want to experiment abroad. Now, I can’t imagine living back in the U.S.

That’s the truth. And that’s what’s pushing so many Americans (especially those nearing retirement like you) to ask: Is there a better way? Well, the answer is yes, there is.

Let me give you a snapshot of my real expenses right now, living in Colombia:

Rent: $600/month for a brand new, 3-bedroom apartment with two balconies, modern finishes, and an incredible view.

Now here’s the part no one talks about – Healthcare: $80/month for private insurance. I pay about $30 to see a private English-speaking doctor, same-day appointment. And the care? I haven’t used my healthcare policy much but I’ve had friends who have and have had nothing but great things to say. I do get regular blood tests and health checkups at my home as most medical services come to you for no extra charge. Yes, I’m serious.

Groceries: $200–$250/month. I eat fresh. Local. Organic by default. Mangoes, avocados, coffee beans that would cost $14/lb in California? Here, they’re essentially pennies. Comment below and tell me how much you’re spending on groceries per month right now in America. I can’t wait to see these numbers.

Full-time cleaner: $250/month. I don’t hire this out right now because we don’t need the extra help, but if we did, a full-time nanny, cleaner, maid, or cook would cost $200-300 a month.

Total monthly cost? Under $1,500 – and I live well.

Could I live cheaper? Absolutely. Could I spend more? Definitely. But the point is this: for 60-70% less than what I used to spend in the U.S., I now live a healthier, freer, and more peaceful life.

And I’m not scraping by. I’m thriving.

And of course, Colombia is where I live currently. I’ve lived in 10 other countries abroad and my costs were similar. Let’s break it down by category. How much cheaper can life be abroad?

Housing is often your biggest monthly cost in the U.S. Abroad? It’s often your biggest savings. In places like Colombia, Mexico, the Balkans, and parts of Southeast Asia, it’s common to find a quality 2-bed apartment for under $800/month.

If you buy property? Even better. I bought real estate here in Colombia – and I paid less than what my friends in the U.S. spend on a down payment for a similar build. Beachfront place in Brazil or Nicaragua? Just $100,000 to $200,000 if you find the right property. What would you do with all that savings? By the way, the Freedom Files can help you with your international property search, particularly if you’re in need of residency as well. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Okay, this one stings for a lot of Americans. Because back home, even with Medicare or “good” insurance, you’re still paying hundreds per month – plus co-pays, deductibles, and surprise bills.

Abroad? You can get world-class private care (often delivered to you at home) for a fraction of the cost.

Food abroad is insanely affordable when you shop locally and eat fresh – which is often the default, especially in the Mediterranean. Even dining out can cost less than $20 for two in a town center in Greece or Spain. That morning espresso you love in the morning? That’s €1 in Italy. No tipping culture. No hidden service fees.

This was one of my most shocking realizations of life abroad: I don’t own a car anymore. And I don’t need one! Uber is $2-$3 a ride. The metro here in Medellín is clean and safe. I had to Uber one time in Lima, Peru, to another city four hours away in a rush. The final bill came out to just $40. I was in Manhattan last summer and regularly paid $40 to travel 10 blocks. In most expat-friendly cities, you can walk or take cheap taxis everywhere. No gas bills. No car insurance. No random $1,000 mechanic visits.

So, let’s talk about what all of this means. You don’t just save money when living abroad. You buy your sanity back. You buy time. You buy freedom.

When your expenses drop by 50 to 70%, you’re no longer working for survival. You’re living for joy. It is a total and beautiful mindset shift that I’ve seen countless retirees go through.

Let’s go back to the original question. How much cheaper is life abroad than in the USA? Uhh, well, yes. It’s cheaper in almost every meaningful way. How much? That depends on you, your budget, your goals, your destination, and your comforts:

Your money stretches further in Spain, Thailand, and Ecuador. You can afford better care, better food, and more help in Italy, Turkey, and Mexico. You stop working just to keep up – and start living how you want in the Caribbean, Greece, and Malaysia.

But the biggest shift isn’t in your wallet. It’s in your mindset. You start asking new questions. Not “Can I afford to retire?” but “Where do I want to wake up every day?” Not “How long do I have to work?” but “How soon can I live the life I actually want?”

Most people won’t even consider moving abroad until it’s too late – until they’ve worked an extra 10 years, downsized their dreams, and sacrificed their health – all just to “get by.” Don’t let that be your story. That’s not the right way to go out.

If you’re over 45, 50, or even 60 and wondering how much better life could be, grab our free 162-page guide of how to Retire Earlier and Live Better Abroad, or schedule a call with my team and me. We’ll show you what’s possible based on your budget, your timeline, and your goals – no pressure, just clarity.

And in the next few weeks, I’m filming from Spain, then Italy, then Greece. So hit subscribe and let me know what you want to know about what this life really looks like on the ground.

Until then, ask yourself the only question that really matters: What’s life costing you to stay where you are?