Best Countries to Move to From the US in 2025

Something shifted in America. Maybe it was the fifth time you opened a medical bill that made your stomach drop. Maybe it was the realization that your rent now eats half your paycheck while your European friends pay a fraction of that and still get six weeks of vacation. Or maybe you just looked around and thought: there has to be a better way to live.

You are not alone. According to the State Department, over 9 million Americans now live abroad, and that number is climbing fast. Google searches for "best countries to move to from the US" have surged over 300% since 2020. This is not a fringe movement anymore. Doctors, engineers, teachers, remote workers, retirees, and young families are all doing the math and arriving at the same conclusion: the American Dream might play out better on foreign soil.

But here is the thing most "best countries" lists get wrong: they are based on vibes. Someone spent a week in Lisbon, ate some pasteis de nata, and declared Portugal the promised land. That is not how you make a life-altering decision.

At WhereNext, we do it differently. We score every country across seven data-driven dimensions using institutional sources like the World Bank, WHO, Global Peace Index, and Numbeo. No gut feelings. No sponsored content. Just the numbers. You can explore our full methodology here.

So here it is: the 10 best countries for Americans to move to in 2025, backed by data.

The Top 10 Countries for Americans Moving Abroad

Before we dive into each country, here is the complete ranking. Every score is a composite of cost of living, safety, healthcare quality, infrastructure, visa accessibility, lifestyle, and economic stability. You can see the full global rankings on our rankings page.

Now let's break down why each of these countries made the list and what you actually need to know before booking that one-way ticket.

1. Portugal: The Gold Standard for American Expats

There is a reason Portugal tops nearly every "best countries to move to" list, and it is not just the weather (though averaging 300 days of sunshine per year certainly helps). Portugal combines first-world European infrastructure with a cost of living that is roughly 40-50% lower than major US cities.

The numbers tell the story. Portugal scores 92/100 on healthcare quality thanks to its dual public-private system, which ranked 12th globally by the WHO. Safety sits at a 90/100, making it the 7th safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index. And the cost index? 71/100 — meaning your dollar stretches dramatically further than it does stateside.

The D7 Passive Income Visa is the golden ticket for Americans. If you can prove roughly $800/month in passive income, you are eligible. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese (and by extension, EU) citizenship. Portugal also launched a revamped Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers earning at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage to reside legally while working for foreign employers.

Explore the full Portugal country profile for detailed cost breakdowns, visa requirements, and city comparisons.

2. Spain: Where Lifestyle Meets Infrastructure

Spain is Portugal's louder, more vibrant neighbor, and for good reason. It holds the highest lifestyle score in our entire database at 94/100, driven by its world-renowned food culture, social infrastructure, and the kind of work-life balance Americans can only dream about.

Healthcare is excellent (ranked 7th globally by the WHO), the infrastructure score lands at 87/100, and Spain launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 that lets remote workers stay for up to three years. Cost of living runs about 30-40% lower than the US average, though Madrid and Barcelona are pricier than smaller cities like Valencia, Malaga, or Alicante.

Curious how Spain stacks up directly against Portugal? We built an interactive comparison for exactly that question.

Portugal edges ahead on cost, safety, and the faster path to EU citizenship. Spain wins on lifestyle and infrastructure. Both are exceptional choices, and the "right" one depends on your priorities. For a deeper dive, read our full Portugal vs Spain comparison or explore the full Spain profile.

3. Mexico: The Proximity Play

Mexico is the most popular destination for American expats, and geography is the obvious reason — but it goes way deeper than that. With a cost of living index of 82/100 (meaning extremely affordable), your US income or savings goes roughly 2-3x further in cities like Merida, Oaxaca, and San Miguel de Allende.

Mexico offers one of the easiest visa situations for Americans. The Temporary Resident Visa requires roughly $2,500/month in income, and the tourist visa already gives you 180 days. The timezone alignment with the US means you can work remotely for a US company without setting your alarm for 3 AM, unlike Southeast Asia. That single factor makes Mexico unbeatable for remote workers who need to attend meetings on Eastern or Central time.

Safety is the question everyone asks, and it is a fair one. Mexico scores a 62/100 on safety nationally, but that number varies wildly by region. Merida, for example, is statistically safer than many mid-sized American cities. Our Mexico country profile breaks down safety by region so you can make an informed call.

4. Costa Rica: The Nature-First Lifestyle

Costa Rica has been quietly attracting American retirees and families for decades, and the data explains why. It is the only country on this list that abolished its military (in 1948) and redirected that spending toward healthcare and education. The result? A healthcare score of 82/100 and a safety score of 78/100 — punching well above its GDP weight class.

The Pensionado Visa requires just $1,000/month in pension or retirement income. The Rentista Visa is available to non-retirees who can demonstrate $2,500/month in income for at least two years. Cost of living sits at 74/100 on our affordability index, making it pricier than Mexico or Southeast Asia but still substantially cheaper than the US. The tradeoff? You are living in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with universal healthcare included.

See the full breakdown in the Costa Rica country profile.

5. Thailand: Maximum Value, Minimum Spend

If your primary goal is stretching every dollar as far as it can go, Thailand is almost impossible to beat. It holds the highest affordability score on our list at 91/100. A comfortable lifestyle in Chiang Mai or Hua Hin runs $1,200-1,800 per month, including rent, food, transportation, and even regular massages.

Healthcare is the sleeper stat here. Thailand is a global leader in medical tourism, with hospitals like Bumrungrad in Bangkok ranking among the best in the world. Our healthcare score for Thailand sits at 79/100. The infrastructure score of 76/100 reflects excellent domestic travel networks, fast internet, and modern cities.

The visa situation is evolving. Thailand launched a Long-Term Resident Visa in 2022 for remote workers and retirees, offering up to 10 years with tax benefits. The traditional retirement visa requires proof of roughly $24,000 in savings or $2,000/month in income. And the new Destination Thailand Visa (launched 2024) offers a simpler 180-day stay for digital workers and freelancers.

Dive into the Thailand country profile for city-level cost comparisons and visa details. If you are debating between Southeast Asian destinations, our cheapest countries guide covers the full region.

Top 5 Countries by Affordability

Cost of living is consistently the number-one factor Americans cite when considering a move abroad. If stretching your savings or maximizing your remote income is the priority, here is how our top 10 countries rank on affordability alone.

6. Germany: The Powerhouse for Career-Driven Expats

Germany is not the cheapest option on this list. But if you are looking for economic stability, career opportunities, and world-class public services, it is hard to beat. Germany scores 93/100 on economic stability and 91/100 on infrastructure — both among the highest in the world.

Here is a stat that blows most Americans away: German public universities charge zero tuition, even for international students. If you have kids approaching college age, that alone could save you $100,000+. Healthcare is universal and scores 88/100 on our index. And the EU Blue Card makes skilled immigration relatively straightforward, particularly for workers in tech, engineering, and healthcare.

The catch? German bureaucracy is legendary, the language barrier is real (though English is widely spoken in tech and business), and winters can be gray. But the data does not lie: for overall quality of life and long-term economic security, Germany is a titan. Check the full data in the Germany country profile.

7. Colombia: The Comeback Story

Colombia is the most improved country on our watchlist. Safety scores have climbed steadily since the 2016 peace agreement, and the country now scores 64/100 on safety — still below the European average but trending sharply upward and comparable to Mexico. Cities like Medellin and Bogota have transformed into thriving hubs for remote workers and entrepreneurs.

The cost of living story is compelling: Colombia scores 87/100 on affordability. A comfortable lifestyle in Medellin runs roughly $1,500-2,000/month. The Digital Nomad Visa launched in 2022 requires just $3,000/month in income and grants a two-year stay. The lifestyle score of 79/100 reflects the country's incredible biodiversity, warm culture, and rapidly improving infrastructure.

Learn more in the Colombia country profile, or see how it stacks up against Mexico in our Mexico vs Colombia comparison.

8. Malaysia: Southeast Asia's Best-Kept Secret

Malaysia flies under the radar compared to Thailand and Bali, but the data suggests it should not. It scores 84/100 on affordability, 80/100 on infrastructure, and here is the kicker: English is widely spoken thanks to the British colonial legacy and a multilingual education system. For Americans worried about the language barrier in Asia, Malaysia largely eliminates that concern.

Kuala Lumpur is a genuinely modern city with fast internet, world-class hospitals, and international schools. The MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) visa has been a popular option for retirees, though requirements tightened in recent years. Healthcare scores 77/100, with private hospitals offering first-world quality at a fraction of US costs — a knee replacement that might cost $40,000 in the US runs about $4,000-6,000 in Malaysia.

See the full data breakdown in the Malaysia country profile.

9. New Zealand: The Safety-First Choice

If personal safety is your non-negotiable priority, New Zealand deserves serious consideration. It holds a safety score of 93/100 — one of the highest in the world — and consistently ranks in the top 5 of the Global Peace Index. English is the primary language, so there is no language barrier, and the culture is surprisingly welcoming to newcomers.

The tradeoffs are real, though. New Zealand scores only 52/100 on affordability (it is expensive, especially housing in Auckland and Wellington). It is also geographically isolated, which means flights back to the US are long and pricey. But the healthcare score of 85/100, the clean environment, and the outdoor lifestyle make it a top choice for families and retirees who prioritize quality of life over cost.

The Skilled Migrant Category Visa is points-based and favors professionals in shortage occupations. Explore the New Zealand country profile for visa pathways and cost details.

10. Japan: Order, Safety, and Unmatched Culture

Japan rounds out the top 10 with a combination of metrics that no other country can match. The safety score is 91/100 — you can leave your laptop in a Tokyo coffee shop and it will be there when you come back. Healthcare scores 92/100, reflecting one of the best universal healthcare systems on the planet. And the infrastructure score of 94/100 is simply best-in-class: bullet trains, spotless cities, and internet that actually works.

The affordability story has changed dramatically. With the yen at multi-decade lows against the dollar, Japan now scores 68/100 on affordability — surprisingly reasonable for a first-world nation. Cities outside Tokyo, like Fukuoka, Osaka, and Kyoto, offer excellent value. A comfortable lifestyle in Fukuoka runs roughly $1,800-2,400/month, including rent in a modern apartment.

The challenge is cultural integration. Japanese society values conformity, the language is genuinely difficult for English speakers, and the work culture is intense (though this matters less if you are working remotely for a US company). Japan's new Digital Nomad Visa (launched 2024) allows stays of up to six months for remote workers earning foreign income.

Explore the Japan country profile for the full picture.

Top 5 Countries by Safety

For Americans who list personal safety as their top priority — particularly families, solo female travelers, and retirees — here is how the safest countries on our list stack up. For the full global safety ranking covering all countries, see our dedicated safest countries page.

How We Scored These Countries

Every score in this article comes from WhereNext's country evaluation system. We aggregate data from institutional sources including:

• Cost of Living: Numbeo, World Bank purchasing power data
• Safety: Global Peace Index, UN crime statistics
• Healthcare: WHO rankings, HAQ Index, healthcare expenditure data
• Infrastructure: World Bank logistics index, internet speed data, transport networks
• Visa Accessibility: Immigration policy databases, visa requirement analysis
• Lifestyle: Climate data, cultural offerings, expat satisfaction surveys
• Economic Stability: GDP growth, inflation rates, employment data

The composite score weights these dimensions equally by default, but you can customize the weights to match your own priorities using our personalized quiz. Care more about safety than cost? The quiz adjusts accordingly.

Read the full details in our methodology page.

Key Factors Americans Should Consider Before Moving Abroad

The "best" country depends entirely on your situation. Before you pack your bags, think carefully about these factors:

Visa and Legal Pathway

Not every country makes it easy for Americans to stay long-term. Some offer digital nomad visas (Portugal, Spain, Colombia, Thailand, Japan), while others require employer sponsorship or significant investment. The visa landscape is changing fast — over 50 countries have launched new remote worker visa programs since 2020. Our visa accessibility guide breaks down which countries actually welcome American immigrants versus which just tolerate tourists.

Healthcare Access

This is the number-one concern for most American expats, and understandably so. The US is the only developed nation without universal healthcare, and many Americans are shocked to discover that countries like Portugal, Spain, and Thailand offer comparable or superior medical care at a fraction of the cost. An emergency room visit that might generate a $5,000 bill in the US could cost $50-200 out of pocket in Portugal or Thailand. Our healthcare rankings cover this in depth.

Tax Implications

Americans are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live. That means you will file US taxes even from Chiang Mai. However, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude over $126,500 of foreign-earned income (2024 threshold), and many countries have tax treaties with the US to prevent double taxation. Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) successor program and Thailand's LTR visa both offer significant tax advantages for qualifying expats. See our expat tax guide for the details.

Cost of Living vs Quality of Life

The cheapest country is not always the best country. A place can be ultra-affordable but score poorly on safety or infrastructure. That is why we recommend looking at the composite score rather than any single dimension. Use our country comparison tool to see how any two countries stack up side by side across all seven dimensions.

Language and Cultural Fit

Data can tell you that a country is affordable and safe, but it cannot tell you whether you will feel at home there. Language barriers, cultural norms, food, social expectations, and the size of the existing expat community all affect your daily experience. We recommend spending at least two to four weeks in any country before committing. English-friendly options on our list include New Zealand, Malaysia, and (to a lesser extent) Germany and the Netherlands.

Your Next Steps

Reading about countries is step one. Actually narrowing down your options is where most people get stuck. Here is how to turn research into action:

• Take the WhereNext quiz — a 2-minute questionnaire that weighs your priorities (cost vs safety vs lifestyle) and generates a personalized country ranking tailored to your situation.
• Explore the full rankings — sort and filter every country by any dimension that matters to you, from affordability to visa accessibility.
• Compare your top picks — put two or three countries head-to-head on the metrics that matter most, just like the Portugal vs Spain comparison above.
• Dive into country profiles — every country page includes city-level data, visa requirements, cost breakdowns, and real expat insights. Start with Portugal, Spain, or Mexico.
• Use our moving abroad checklist — once you have chosen your destination, this covers every step from documents to finances to healthcare setup.

Moving abroad is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. It should also be one of the most informed. Skip the blog posts based on someone's two-week vacation and start with the data. The numbers do not have an agenda — they just tell you what is true.

Take the quiz and find your best country match in under 2 minutes.