TikTok Influences Americans to Relocate to Vietnam and Thailand for Lower Costs

Americans living in Vietnam and Thailand report lower stress levels and reduced living costs compared to their previous lives in the U.S. Social media, particularly TikTok, has played a role in highlighting these destinations, leading to increased interest in relocation.

Global expat surveys rank Vietnam and Thailand highly for affordability and quality of life. Chad Dunn, a former worker at a Hyundai plant in Savannah, Georgia, now resides in Da Nang, Vietnam. He operates a relocation business assisting other Americans with moving, including airport pickups, setting up phones, bank accounts, and apartments.

Dunn stated that this service has become popular, with many clients discovering him through TikTok videos about daily life abroad.

Moore, a 37-year-old holistic nutritionist from Northern California, moved to Vietnam earlier this year after traveling in Southeast Asia. She pays about a fifth of her previous rent in Vietnam, with low utility costs and affordable meals, such as a bowl of pho costing around $2 to $4.

Moore said her focus has shifted from financial pressures to personal well-being and daily choices. Chris Michaels, who worked in the toy industry in Chicago, moved to Thailand in 2018 and retired early at age 46. He now posts videos and hosts livestreams on TikTok several nights a week.

Michaels reported receiving frequent inquiries about relocating to Thailand, driven by the appeal of lower costs for rent, food, and transportation compared to major U.S. cities.

Media and Broader Trends An associate professor of communication at Cornell University stated that the rise of digital nomadism and remote work has contributed to this trend. She noted that social media promotes aspirational content featuring remote work in attractive settings. She added that such portrayals can be curated and may not capture the full realities of living abroad.

“The images that circulate about life and work are filtered through a glossy prism," she said, noting the gap between curated content and the realities of living abroad.”

Estimates from the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, based on United Nations data, indicate that the number of Americans in Southeast Asia increased from about 32,000 in 1990 to nearly 88,000 in 2024. This data does not include Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, suggesting the actual figure is higher.

A Brookings Institution study published this year estimates that U.S. net migration turned negative in 2025, marking the first such occurrence in at least half a century. Expats often rely on U.S.-based income or savings to benefit from lower local costs, as job opportunities for foreigners in Vietnam are limited, primarily to teaching English with lower pay.

Health care costs can be lower, with Moore reporting a dental cleaning, X-rays, and checkup for about $8. However, access and quality may vary, particularly outside major cities, and long-term considerations like visas and education are factors.