Malaysia ranks first, then Thailand and Paraguay, out of 30 destinations open to this example profile.
The example profile
- American citizen
- Aged 40 to 49
- $150k to $300k business income
- $250k to $1M saved
- Abroad most of the year
How this ranking was made
Malaysia ranks first for Americans with a lower cost of living, then Thailand and Paraguay, out of 30 destinations OmniFlag's fit scorer finds open to this example profile: an American citizen aged 40 to 49, single, after a lower cost of living, with business income of $150k to $300k a year and $250k to $1M in savings, living abroad most of the year. The ranking weighs lower cost of living, then work remotely from abroad, then lifestyle, climate, or safety. Each entry names the route this profile clears there and the cited figure to read it by. A different income, age or passport changes the order, so the ranking is an example, not a recommendation.
Moving does not end US tax
US citizens and green-card holders keep US federal tax obligations wherever they live (citizenship-based taxation).
IRS, US citizens and resident aliens abroad
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- 1
MalaysiaRemote workInvestorSources verified 2026-07-16- Cost of living: Low
- $2,000 a month, Remote workDE Rantau Nomad Pass, MDEC
- 2
ThailandRemote workSources verified 2026-07-16- Cost of living: Low
- Remote workDestination Thailand Visa checklist, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
- 3
ParaguayTemporary to permanent residenceInvestorRemote workSources verified 2026-07-21- Cost of living: Low
- $70,000, InvestorResolucion MIC 283/2026, Anexo I, Articulo 1 inciso g (Montos minimos de inversion)
- 4
GreeceEconomic self-sufficiencyRemote workReal estate investmentSources verified 2026-08-07- Cost of living: Low for the EU
- $3,997 a month, Economic self-sufficiency, plus 20% for a partner and 15% per childJoint Ministerial Decision 225679, article 163(8) (Gazette B 5223/17.09.2024)
- 5
BulgariaRemote workSources verified 2026-09-14- $2,951 a month, Remote work, Fifty minimum monthly wages, derived on the 2026 wageForeigners Act amendment, new Article 24s, State Gazette 52 of 27 June 2025 (dv.parliament.bg)
- 6
CyprusPassive income (rentista)InvestorRemote workSources verified 2026-09-11- $911 a month, Passive income (rentista)Immigration Permits, categories A to F (Migration Department, Gov.cy)
- 7
PortugalRemote workTemporary to permanent residenceSources verified 2026-07-12- $4,202 a month, Remote workResidencia, Documentacao instrutoria, Vistos Nacionais (MNE)
- 8
SpainPassive income (rentista)Remote workEU long-term residenceSources verified 2026-07-12- $2,741 a month, Passive income (rentista), this route bars paid work, remote work includedNon-working Residency Visa, Embassy of Spain in Washington (exteriores.gob.es)
- 9
PanamaEconomic self-sufficiencyFriendly NationsSources verified 2026-07-12- Economic self-sufficiencyPermiso de Residente Permanente por Razones Economicas
- 10
GeorgiaShort-term real estateReal estate investmentInvestorSources verified 2026-07-12- $150,000, Short-term real estateLaw of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons (Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge)
20 more destinations are open to this profile. See every dossier.
Before you go: leaving the United States
Every other country on this site lets you stop being tax resident by leaving it. The United States does not. The obligation follows the passport, and the only door out is expatriation, which is priced and filed.
USD 2 million
Net worth of USD 2 million on the expatriation date makes you a covered expatriate on its own, with no inflation adjustment to the threshold.
Internal Revenue Service
USD 890,000
The deemed-sale gain is reduced by USD 890,000 for calendar year 2025. Everything above that is taxable in the year you go.
Internal Revenue Service
USD 206,000
Average annual net income tax above USD 206,000 for 2025, measured over the 5 years before you leave, is the first of the three tests.
Internal Revenue Service
USD 10,000/yr
Not filing Form 8854 costs USD 10,000 a year and can make you a covered expatriate regardless of your wealth.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS. Sources verified 2026-08-20.
Common questions
Which country ranks first for Americans with a lower cost of living?
Malaysia, then Thailand and Paraguay, for the example profile on this page: an American citizen aged 40 to 49, single, after a lower cost of living, with business income of $150k to $300k a year and $250k to $1M in savings, living abroad most of the year. A different income, age or passport changes the order.
What does this ranking assume?
It ranks every destination OmniFlag covers for an American citizen aged 40 to 49, single, after a lower cost of living, with business income of $150k to $300k a year and $250k to $1M in savings, living abroad most of the year, weighing lower cost of living, then work remotely from abroad, then lifestyle, climate, or safety. A destination appears only where this profile qualifies for at least one residence route.
What does leaving the United States involve?
Net worth of USD 2 million on the expatriation date makes you a covered expatriate on its own, with no inflation adjustment to the threshold. The deemed-sale gain is reduced by USD 890,000 for calendar year 2025. Everything above that is taxable in the year you go. The United States dossier carries the full cited record.
How do I get a ranking for my own situation?
Answer the intake and the same scorer ranks every destination against your own income, age, passport and reasons, with every figure cited to its source.
Your own ranking
The order above is for the example profile. The same scorer ranks every destination against your income, age, passport and reasons, and returns your Report with every claim cited.
Free. No card. Every page about a place stays free.
Already considering somewhere? Name up to three and see where they rank.
OmniFlag helps you research and plan. It is not a law firm or tax advisor and does not give legal or tax advice. Confirm anything you act on with a licensed professional.