About PortfolioAtlas

PortfolioAtlas answers one simple question: "If I retire with $X, what kind of life can I actually live?" We break it down city by city, dollar by dollar.

How We Calculate

Every city page shows lifestyle breakdowns at five portfolio tiers: $1M, $2M, $3M, $5M, and $10M. We use the widely-accepted 4% safe withdrawal rate (the "Trinity Study" rule) to calculate your monthly budget:

For each tier, we research and estimate realistic monthly costs for housing, groceries, dining out, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, utilities, and — at higher tiers — domestic help and luxury extras.

The FIRE Score

Each city receives a FIRE Score from 1 to 10 based on a combination of factors: overall cost of living, healthcare quality and accessibility, safety, ease of obtaining residency, English friendliness, internet infrastructure, and how far your money goes relative to lifestyle quality.

A higher score means your portfolio stretches further while maintaining a high quality of life. Cities in Southeast Asia and Latin America tend to score highest, while North American and Western European cities score lower due to higher costs — but may offer other advantages like proximity to family or familiar culture.

Important Disclaimers

The cost data on PortfolioAtlas is researched and estimated for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on personal lifestyle choices, exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, and individual circumstances.

This site does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals — a financial advisor, tax specialist, and immigration attorney — before making any relocation or retirement decisions.

Cost data reflects approximate values as of early 2026 and will be periodically reviewed.