Wars are breaking out on multiple continents. Crime rising in places that felt safe five years ago. The world seems to feel less safe these days. And the data backs it up. The 2025 Global Peace Index says global peacefulness is at its lowest point in almost two decades.
We all want the same thing. Somewhere safe, somewhere affordable, somewhere your money actually goes further.
So I put together a list of countries that check both boxes. But before I get into them, let me show you how I filtered the list. Because that’s where most of these lists get it wrong.
Cost and Safety Ranking Methodology
Safety first. I used the Global Peace Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. It covers 163 countries, 99.7% of the global population.
Quick caveat. The GPI measures peacefulness over 20 factors, not just street safety. Military spending, political instability, regional conflict… it all factors in. So a country can score lower than you’d expect even if daily life feels somewhat safe.
Canada ranks 15th. Sounds decent until you realize we dropped five spots from the year before. Largest deterioration in our entire region, due to higher military spending, more involvement in external conflicts, and deteriorating relations with our neighbours to the south.
The United States? 128th out of 163. Behind South Africa and Uganda. I’m guessing it will be much lower after 2026 is over.
Next, cost of living. I used Numbeo’s cost-of-living index. It’s crowd-sourced, so treat it as directional, but it’s the biggest dataset out there. Canada comes in as the 31st most expensive country in the world. Every country on this list is significantly cheaper.
Montenegro
You’ve probably don’t know much about Montenegro, it’s pretty underrated. And honestly, that’s part of the appeal. Picture the Adriatic coastline. The Bay of Kotor, which gets compared to the Norwegian fjords. Medieval old towns built into cliffsides. A Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Coffee for a euro. A full meal out for two? Maybe fifteen bucks.
And it’s safe. Montenegro ranks approximately 34th on the Global Peace Index. It’s a NATO member that uses the euro.
According to Numbeo’s cost-of-living index, Montenegro is about 32% cheaper than Canada. A couple can live comfortably in the Kotor area or Podgorica for pretty cheap.
Taxes are low. 9% to 15% on personal income, flat 15% on capital gains. Just know that Canada doesn’t have a tax treaty with Montenegro, so if your income is coming from Canada, that’s something you’ll need to plan around.
Best for? Someone whose income isn’t tied to Canada. Retirees with foreign pensions or investment income, digital nomads, business owners with international clients. If your money isn’t flowing from Canadian sources, the no-treaty situation doesn’t hurt you, and the low taxes actually work in your favor.
Vietnam
Most people hear Vietnam and think backpacker hostels and motorbikes. And sure, there are motorbikes. A lot of them But the Vietnam expats are moving to right now? It’s a different story. We’re talking modern high-rise apartments, world-class street food that costs almost nothing, beaches in Da Nang that rival anything in Thailand, and cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi that have this incredible energy to them. Fast, exciting, and growing every single year.
And this is where the numbers get wild.
Vietnam ranks approximately 38th on the GPI. Top quarter globally. Safer than France. Safer than South Korea.
According to Numbeo, Vietnam is about 58% cheaper than Canada. Think about what that means. What you spend in one month in Toronto could stretch two to three months in Vietnam. A couple can live comfortably in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for quite cheap. In Da Nang or Hoi An? Even less. And this isn’t roughing it.
The expat infrastructure is growing fast, especially in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Tax rates are progressive from 5% to 35%, but they just passed major reform in late 2025 that improves the picture. Canada and Vietnam have had a tax treaty since 1997 which prevents double taxation. One caveat: Vietnam doesn’t have a formal retiree visa, so long-stay logistics take more planning than somewhere like Malaysia.
Best for? Anyone whose primary goal is maximum purchasing power. If you’re on a fixed income and want your dollar to go as far as humanly possible, this is the answer.
Malaysia
My family is from Malaysia, so I might be a little biased. But hear me out.
Kuala Lumpur is a modern, cosmopolitan city with world-class food, incredible infrastructure, and a cost of living that makes no sense for what you get. Penang is basically a food paradise with colonial architecture and beaches. English is widely spoken everywhere. The healthcare is world-class. And you’re a cheap flight from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan.
Now here’s the part that makes people do a double-take.
Malaysia ranks 13th in the world on the 2025 Global Peace Index. Two spots ahead of Canada. The country most Canadians couldn’t point to on a map is objectively more peaceful and safe than the country they live in.
And according to Numbeo’s cost-of-living index, Malaysia is about 46% cheaper than Canada. Penang is even less.
Tax rates go up to 30%, but Canada and Malaysia have had a tax treaty since 1976, so there’s built-in relief.
Best for? Retirees and entrepreneurs. Safe, affordable, treaty-protected, English-friendly, great healthcare. Strongest overall package on this list.
Look, picking the country is the easy part. The hard part is what happens to your taxes when you actually leave. Departure tax, deemed dispositions, withholding on Canadian income… that’s where it gets expensive if you guess wrong. If you want someone to run the numbers for your situation, book a free discovery call with Blueprint Financial. Link’s in the description.
Uruguay
South America gets a bad rap for safety. Uruguay is the exception.
Think Mediterranean vibes but on the Atlantic coast. Montevideo has this old-world European feel, wide boulevards, sidewalk cafés, a food scene that punches way above its weight. Head east to Punta del Este and you’re on beaches that go toe to toe with anywhere in the world. The wine is incredible. The pace of life is slow in the best way. And the people are genuinely warm.
Uruguay ranks 48th on the GPI. One of the safest country in South America. Stable democracy. Low corruption. And here’s a stat that’ll surprise you. South America was the only region in the world that improved in peacefulness on the 2025 GPI. Every other region got worse.
Cost-wise, it’s the priciest country on this list. According to Numbeo, Uruguay is only about 12% cheaper than Canada. Not dramatic. Montevideo runs expensive by regional standards. But get to the coast or the interior and the numbers start making more sense.
Taxes are straightforward. Uruguay used to offer a generous tax holiday on foreign income tied to real estate investment. That program got a lot harder to qualify for in 2026. Without it, foreign income is taxed at a flat 12%. Not bad. But there’s no tax treaty with Canada, so plan accordingly.
Best for? Someone with real capital who wants a stable, beautiful, democratic country and is willing to actually commit.
Czech Republic
If you want Europe but you don’t want to pay European prices, this is your answer.
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. That’s not hyperbole. Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets, beer that costs less than water, and a cafe culture that makes you wonder why you ever paid eight dollars for a latte. Outside Prague you’ve got wine country in Moravia, mountain towns in Bohemia, and a quality of life that quietly punches way above its weight. English is common. Healthcare is strong. And you’re a cheap flight from anywhere on the continent.
The Czech Republic ranks 11th on the 2025 Global Peace Index. Four spots ahead of Canada. It climbed two spots from the year before while Canada dropped five. That tells you something about the trajectory.
According to Numbeo, the Czech Republic is about 16% cheaper than Canada. Not the biggest gap on this list, but you’re getting Europe. A couple can live well in Prague for $2,200 to $3,200 CAD a month. Outside Prague, even less.
Tax rates are 15% up to a threshold, then 23% above it. Clean and simple. Canada has had a tax treaty with the Czech Republic since 2002, so there’s built-in protections.
Best for? Someone who wants a European lifestyle without the European price tag, and without the tax mess that Portugal turned into.
Portugal
Imagine moving here. Lisbon has this effortless cool to it. Hilly streets, tile-covered buildings, incredible food around every corner. Porto is quieter, moodier, and the wine scene alone is worth the move. Head south to the Algarve and you’re looking at some of the best beaches in Europe. Fresh seafood, incredible wine, 300 days of sunshine a year, and a pace of life that makes you wonder what you were doing paying Vancouver rent.
7th in the world on the 2025 Global Peace Index. Ahead of Japan. Ahead of Denmark. Eight spots ahead of Canada. This is one of the safest countries on the planet. And according to Numbeo, it’s about 22% cheaper than Canada. Outside Lisbon and Porto, even less.
So what’s the problem?
The Non-Habitual Resident tax regime. The NHR. This was the thing that made Portugal the expat capital of Europe. Foreign income exempt or taxed at a flat 20% for ten years. That’s why half the expats on the continent ended up in Lisbon. It’s dead. Closed to new applicants January 1, 2024. The replacement, IFICI, only covers qualified professionals in specific sectors. If you don’t qualify, standard rates go up to 53%. Canada has a tax treaty with Portugal, but a treaty doesn’t fix a 53% domestic rate.
Best for? Tech or innovation professionals who can qualify for IFICI. Everyone else needs to redo the math. The Portugal everyone was talking about three years ago doesn’t exist anymore.
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Now look, rankings change. A country that’s 11th this year might be 20th next year. Cost of living shifts. Political situations evolve. We’re seeing it now in 2026, I predict there will be drastic changes in safety rankings after the year is over.
That’s the whole point of using a framework instead of just memorizing a list. Maybe you’ve already got a country in mind. Great. Run it through the same filters. Safety, cost of living, and how that country actually taxes a Canadian. If it passes all three, you might be onto something.
A country can look perfect on paper — but once you factor in the real tax implications, the picture can change quickly.
That’s exactly what we help Canadians figure out at Blueprint Financial: what your move actually looks like after taxes, not just before.
If you’re considering a move abroad, explore our financial planning services.
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The right plan helps you choose a country that works not just on paper — but in real life.
