What $1,000 Buys You: 5 Cities from Luang Prabang to Zurich
Where your money stretches the most.
What Does $1k USD Get You?
This is a simple price check. Same $1.000. Five cities. What that money buys.
It is not a guide on how to live there, but more like a “basket”.
What is in the basket
Housing.
Utilities and internet.
Groceries.
Some meals out.
Public transport with a few ride hails.
Mobile data.
Light work setup. A couple of hot desk day passes or café sessions.
One small treat each week.
Misc small costs.
What I leave out
Flights.
Visas and permits.
Private health insurance.
Nightlife and shopping.
Debt payments.
If money is left over, I show it. If the budget falls short, I show the gap.
Luang Prabang, Laos
A small river city in northern Laos on the Mekong. Calm mornings, temple bells, and a pace that leaves time for real work.
Exchange rate used
1 USD = 21.600 LAK.
Housing
Studio apartment for one month at Zen Residence.
Total: 550 USD. Includes service and electricity.
Connectivity
Local SIM with 50 GB for 30 days.
Total: 24 USD.
Groceries basket for home cooking
Rice, eggs, chicken, greens, fruit, cooking oil, noodles, coffee, spices, basics for breakfast and dinner.
Subtotal: 153 USD.
Meals out
Twenty local meals in simple places during the month.
Subtotal: 80 USD.
Cafés
Twelve coffees for work sessions.
Subtotal: 30 USD.
Work setup
Co-work week pass at “The Desk” for focus days.
Subtotal: 29 USD.
Getting around
Scooter rental for ten days from Anousay Motorbike Rental at 120.000 LAK per 24 hours.
Subtotal: 56 USD. Small fuel top-ups: 10 USD. A few tuk tuk rides: 20 USD.
Small joys
Four massages during the month.
Subtotal: 24 USD at typical shop prices in town.
Laundry and toiletries
Soap, shampoo, detergent, basic care, two loads a week.
Subtotal: 24 USD.
One local day trip
Kuang Si waterfall day. Shared ride plus entry and food.
Subtotal: 23 USD.
Total spent
550 + 24 + 153 + 80 + 30 + 29 + 56 + 10 + 20 + 24 + 24 + 23 = $1.000.
Da Nang, Vietnam
A bright beach city with real work rhythm. Early mornings. Strong coffee. You can live simple and get a lot done.
Exchange rate used
1 USD = 26.230 VND.
Housing
Modern one bedroom near My Khe.
Total: $458.
Home internet
Fiber plan for the month.
Total: $8.
Electricity and water
Typical monthly use on a meter.
Total: $31.
Mobile data
Viettel tourist eSIM for 30 days.
Total: $19.
Groceries for home cooking
Rice, eggs, chicken, greens, fruit, noodles, oil, coffee, basics for breakfast and dinner.
Subtotal: $133.
Meals out
Thirty local meals in simple places.
Subtotal: $69.
Cafés
Twelve cappuccinos for work sessions.
Subtotal: $18.
Work setup
Four cowork day passes at DNC.
Subtotal: $11.
Motorbike rental
One month on a Honda Vision class scooter.
Subtotal: $92.
Fuel
Top ups for the month.
Subtotal: $15.
Ride hails and taxis
Ten short rides.
Subtotal: $19.
Laundry and toiletries
Two loads a week and basics.
Subtotal: $15.
Gym
One simple month membership.
Subtotal: $15.
Massages
Four one hour sessions.
Subtotal: $56.
One day trip
Hoi An return van plus food.
Subtotal: $11.
Household and extras
Cleaning supplies and small items.
Subtotal: $20.
Total spent
458 + 8 + 31 + 19 + 133 + 69 + 18 + 11 + 92 + 15 + 19 + 15 + 15 + 56 + 11 + 20 = $990.
What we cannot buy
A sea view one bedroom on the beachfront.
A full cowork membership for the month.
Western brunch every day.
Unlimited ride hails.
Multiple weekend trips.
Spa packages at upscale hotels.
Tbilisi, Georgia
A hilly capital in the Caucasus. Old fortresses, sulphur baths, late cafés. You ride the metro, eat khinkali, and get work done at a quiet table.
Exchange rate used
1 USD = 2.69 GEL.
Housing
Studio apartment for one month in Saburtalo from local listings.
Total: 480 USD.
Connectivity
Home internet. Basic fiber plan.
Total: 15 USD.
Mobile data
Local SIM with ~30 days data.
Total: 10 USD.
Groceries basket for home cooking
Rice, eggs, chicken, greens, fruit, oil, coffee, basics for breakfast and dinner.
Subtotal: 180 USD.
Meals out
Eight local meals in simple places during the month.
Subtotal: 80 USD.
Cafés
Ten coffees for work sessions.
Subtotal: 30 USD.
Work setup
Three cowork day passes for focus days.
Subtotal: 26 USD.
Getting around
Metro card loads plus a few ride hails.
Subtotal: 30 USD.
Gym
One simple month.
Subtotal: 20 USD.
Laundry and toiletries
Soap, shampoo, detergent, basic care, two loads a week.
Subtotal: 18 USD.
Small joy
One sulphur bath session with a basic scrub.
Subtotal: 25 USD.
Household and extras
Cleaning supplies and small items.
Subtotal: 15 USD.
Total spent
480 + 15 + 10 + 180 + 80 + 30 + 26 + 30 + 20 + 18 + 25 + 15 = $981.
What we cannot buy
A central one-bedroom in Vake or Vera.
A full co-work membership for the month.
Weekly massages.
A driver for a full Kakheti wine-country day.
Western brunch every day.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugals capitol. Hills, trams, bright light. You work between cafés and the metro.
Exchange rate used
1 USD = 0.90 EUR.
Housing
Medium-sized room in a shared flat in a non-fancy area, utilities and home internet included.
Total: 560 USD.
Mobile data
Local SIM with a 30-day data pack.
Total: 12 USD.
Groceries basket for home cooking
Rice, eggs, chicken, greens, fruit, pasta, oil, coffee, basics for breakfast and dinner.
Subtotal: 180 USD.
Meals out
Eight local lunches or basic take-away dinners through the month.
Subtotal: 80 USD.
Cafés
Eight coffees for work sessions.
Subtotal: 20 USD.
Work setup
Two co-work day passes for focus days.
Subtotal: 24 USD.
Getting around
Monthly metro and bus pass, plus two or three short ride-hails.
Subtotal: 50 USD.
Breakdown: pass 44 USD, ride-hails 6 USD.
Laundry and toiletries
Soap, shampoo, detergent, basic care, two loads a week.
Subtotal: 18 USD.
Small joy
Pastéis and one sunset drink each week.
Subtotal: 24 USD.
Household and extras
Cleaning supplies and small items.
Subtotal: 12 USD.
Total spent
560 + 12 + 180 + 80 + 20 + 24 + 50 + 18 + 24 + 12 = $980.
What we cannot buy
A private studio in the center.
A full co-work membership for the month.
Weekly massages.
A full out-of-town day trip.
Eating out every day.
A gym membership.
Zurich, Switzerland
A lake city at the foot of the Alps. Clean streets. Fast trains. You work from a bunk bed and keep the month tight.
Exchange rate used
1 USD = 0.86 CHF.
Housing
Bunk in a basic hostel on the edge of the city. Shared room. Wi-Fi included.
Total: $615.
Mobile data
Local SIM with a simple 30-day data pack.
Total: $20.
Groceries basket for home cooking
Bread, eggs, pasta, rice, chicken, greens, fruit, oil, coffee, basics for breakfast and dinner.
Subtotal: $160.
Meals out
Two simple meals in basic places during the month.
Subtotal: $30.
Cafés
Four coffees for short work sessions.
Subtotal: $16.
Work setup
Coworking is out this month. Use hostel Wi-Fi and public libraries.
Subtotal: $0.
Getting around
Monthly city transit pass for buses, trams, and trains within the main zone.
Subtotal: $100.
Laundry and toiletries
Soap, shampoo, detergent, basic care, two loads a week.
Subtotal: $24.
Small joy
One museum ticket or a lake swim day with snacks.
Subtotal: $20.
Household and extras
Cleaning wipes, water bottle, small items.
Subtotal: $10.
Total spent
615 + 20 + 160 + 30 + 16 + 0 + 100 + 24 + 20 + 10 = $995.
What we cannot buy
A private room.
A central studio.
A full co-work membership.
Regular dinners out.
Weekly massages.
Frequent ride-hails.
A full out-of-town day trip.
Head To Head
Best Value For Money
Luang Prabang. You get a private studio, local food, a scooter, weekly massages, and a full day trip. Money left at the end.
Best For Work
Da Nang. Fast home fiber. Laptop-friendly cafés. A motorbike for reach. A few cowork passes when you need focus. The routine stays light and productive.
Best If You Can Stretch Above 1.000
Lisbon. Great everyday life. Clean transit, strong café culture, easy rhythms. At 1.000 you are in a room in a shared flat. Add a few hundred and the city opens up.
Most Balanced City On This Budget
Tbilisi. A simple studio, metro rides, groceries, a few meals out, one sulphur bath. Comfort is fine if you keep a routine.
Toughest
Zurich. A hostel bunk, basic groceries, a transit pass, and a single small treat. No cowork. No regular meals out.
Closing
Same budget. Five cities. Now you can see what 1.000 USD actually buys.
Your turn.
Which city should we price next? Mexico City. Buenos Aires. Bali. Kuala Lumpur. Athens.
Drop your pick or share your own $1.000 cart in the comments.
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San Jose, Costa Rica? Montevideo, Uruguay? Thanks for this article!
In Tbilisi now - I can confirm pricing is accurate. 😉