#1⭐ 82
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Thailand
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 60 days
$1,041/mo😎 Sep 86°F
🍜 Best-of list
Best safe cities in Southeast Asia with a retirement visa
5 of the 18 cities we cover in Southeast Asia make this list, ranked by overall fit for someone moving from the US. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai ranks first. Cheapest: Denpasar at $787/mo all-in. Most pleasant year-round: Chiang Mai, 2 months.
How this list is chosen
- Rated safe: the city resident survey where one exists, otherwise the country’s official crime and road statistics.
- The country has a retirement or passive-income residence visa Americans can apply for (pension or savings instead of a job).
- In Southeast Asia.
Ranked with the City Finder's default weights for cost, climate, safety, internet and visa-free stay. Change the weights in the City Finder →
#1⭐ 82
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Thailand
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 60 days
$1,041/mo😎 Sep 86°F
#2⭐ 81
🇲🇾 Penang
Malaysia
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days
$925/mo😅 Sep 87°F
#3⭐ 74
🇹🇭 Phuket
Thailand
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 60 days
$1,361/mo😎 Sep 85°F
#4⭐ 73
🇹🇭 Bangkok
Thailand
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 60 days
$1,367/mo😅 Sep 88°F
#5⭐ 69
🇮🇩 Denpasar
Indonesia
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 30 days
$787/mo😎 Sep 84°F
| Compare | # | City | $/mo | ☀️ Pleasant months | 🛡️ Safety | 🛂 Visa | ⭐ Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  🇹🇭 Chiang MaiThailand |
$1,041 | 82 | ||||
| 2 |  🇲🇾 PenangMalaysia |
$925 | 81 | ||||
| 3 |  🇹🇭 PhuketThailand |
$1,361 | 74 | ||||
| 4 |  🇹🇭 BangkokThailand |
$1,367 | 73 | ||||
| 5 |  🇮🇩 DenpasarIndonesia |
$787 | 69 |