Data & sources behind every TRAVLBOK figure
Every source behind TRAVLBOK: 4 cost-of-living datasets, 13 official immigration authorities, what each figure measures and what the numbers leave out.
Cost dataset last reviewed end to end on August 2026.
Coverage
Counted from the live dataset at build time, so this table cannot drift from what the site actually serves.
28
Countries with cost data
22
Destinations with a visa guide
43
Job roles listed
13
Countries with job data
What we measure
Every cost figure is a monthly average for the country capital or largest city, expressed in US dollars so countries stay directly comparable.
- Rent, 1-bedroom (centre)
- Rent, 1-bedroom (outside centre)
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Public transport pass
- Internet
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- Average net salary
How the derived figures are calculated
Essential monthly budget
The essential monthly budget is the sum of five figures listed above: rent for a one-bedroom in the city centre, groceries, utilities, a public transport pass and internet. It is the monthly floor for one person — the costs that arrive whether or not anything else happens. It does not include eating out, health insurance, childcare or tax.
Salary-to-cost ratio
The salary-to-cost ratio divides a country's average net salary by that same country's essential monthly budget. A ratio of 1.0× means the average net salary equals the essential monthly budget; below 1.0× means it is lower than that budget; above 1.0× means it is higher. It describes two averages in this dataset, not any individual's pay or spending.
Cost-of-living sources
Official immigration authorities
Linked from each country guide. These are authoritative on fees and processing times; our figures are a snapshot taken at the review date.
Limitations
Stated plainly, because a number without its caveats is worse than no number:
- TRAVLBOK is not an immigration adviser and has no government affiliation. Nothing here is legal advice.
- Cost figures are estimates for shortlisting, not quotes. Prices vary by neighbourhood, season and household.
- Visa rules, fees, salary thresholds and quotas change. Always confirm against the official authority before acting.
- Job data covers 13 of 22 destinations. Guides without job data show no roles rather than an empty list.
- 13 of 22 guides link a mapped official authority. The rest cite sources inline instead.
How we compile the numbers is explained on the About page. About