As 2026 looms with U.S. costs climbing 5-7% and remote work visas exploding (e.g., new EU digital nomad streams), more Americans are blueprinting their escape—20% plan a permanent move abroad for savings, safety, and sanity.
With U.S. inflation at 3.2% and expat moves up 25% year-over-year, 2026 is prime for Americans seeking geo-arbitrage. This verified sheet spotlights 10 destinations: Costs for mid-tier cities and living (rent/food/transport/utilities, excluding flights and taxes), paths to permanent residency, safety, and notes.
The table below is also available in Google Sheets, so you can tweak columns to fit your profile (e.g., add U.S. baseline for savings calc).
This sheet compares 10 top destinations for Americans: Affordable hotspots like Thailand and Mexico alongside stable picks like Canada and Portugal.
Country | Single Monthly Cost | Couple Monthly Cost | Family Monthly Cost | Path to Residency | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $2,800 - $3,200 | $4,200 - $4,800 | $6,000 - $7,000 | Visitor (6 months remote work, no app); Express Entry PR (6-12 months total: profile + ITA + app) | 74 |
Portugal | $1,900 - $2,300 | $2,800 - $3,400 | $4,200 - $5,200 | D7/D8 Visa (30-60 days initial); PR after 5 years residency | 68 |
Mexico | $1,300 - $1,600 | $1,900 - $2,400 | $2,900 - $3,700 | 180 days visa-free; Temp Resident (1-4 years, 1-3 months app); PR after 4 years | 47 |
Thailand | $1,000 - $1,300 | $1,500 - $1,900 | $2,300 - $3,000 | 60 days visa-free (extend 30); Elite/PR (5-20 years, 2-6 months app) | 62 |
Panama | $1,600 - $1,900 | $2,400 - $2,800 | $3,600 - $4,200 | Friendly Nations (immediate temp, 1-2 months); PR after 5 years | 55 |
Uruguay | $1,500 - $1,800 | $2,200 - $2,700 | $3,300 - $4,000 | 90 days visa-free (extend to 180); Temp Residency (6-12 months app during stay); PR after 3 years | 48 |
Spain | $2,100 - $2,400 | $3,100 - $3,600 | $4,600 - $5,300 | Digital Nomad Visa (1 year, 30-60 days); PR after 5 years | 65 |
Costa Rica | $1,700 - $2,000 | $2,500 - $3,000 | $3,700 - $4,300 | 90 days visa-free; Rentista temp (1-2 years, 3-6 months); PR after 3 years | 52 |
Vietnam | $900 - $1,100 | $1,300 - $1,600 | $2,000 - $2,400 | 90 days e-visa; Temp Residency (1-2 years, 1-3 months); PR after 5 years | 54 |
Malaysia | $1,100 - $1,400 | $1,600 - $2,000 | $2,400 - $3,000 | 90 days visa-free; MM2H temp (5-10 years, 3-6 months); PR after 5 years | 50 |
Single = 1 remote worker, Couple = 2 adults, Family = 2 adults + 2 kids. Costs are in US dollars; the safety index is from Numbeo.com’s 0-100 scale.
“This sheet was my wake-up call—plugged in Seattle numbers, and suddenly Canada wasn't just a dream, but a $3,500/month reality. It's the nudge that turned maybe into moving next quarter."
Visa paths and costs are basic initial considerations. Also important is protecting your adventure with reliable health coverage for gaps in destinations like Canada or Thailand. SafetyWing starts at $45/month for U.S. expats (affiliate link—no extra cost).
Ready to crunch your numbers for your city? Edit the sheet. Dreaming bigger? Subscribe to Abroad Blueprint for weekly spotlights—first one’s on Canada tomorrow.
Here’s a view of the same table in a bar chart format:
What’s next: Use the Google Sheets version to tweak the columns to fit your profile. It includes an additional column with helpful notes and links. You can edit it further; for example, add a column for your current expenses as a baseline.
This is your starting blueprint—now let's build the rest. Join thousands of Americans plotting their 2026 move: Subscribe for weekly or bi-weekly guides, polls, and exclusives. What's your top pick? Reply below.
Disclaimer: Visa rules evolve; consult immigration pros.