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💃 Best-of list

Best cheap cities in South America

21 of the 26 cities we cover in South America make this list, ranked by overall fit for someone moving from the US. 🇵🇪 Arequipa ranks first. Cheapest: La Paz at $566/mo all-in. Most pleasant year-round: Arequipa, 12 months.

How this list is chosen

Ranked with the City Finder's default weights for cost, climate, safety, internet and visa-free stay. Change the weights in the City Finder →

21 cities, best fit first
Compare # City $/mo ☀️ Pleasant months🛡️ Safety 🛂 Visa ⭐ Fit
1 🇵🇪 ArequipaPeru $822 85
2 🇵🇪 CuscoPeru $832 85
3 🇪🇨 CuencaEcuador $952 80
4 🇨🇱 Viña del MarChile $1,159 80
5 🇧🇷 FlorianópolisBrazil $1,256 76
6 🇪🇨 QuitoEcuador $1,036 74
7 🇧🇷 CuritibaBrazil $1,106 74
8 🇧🇷 Belo HorizonteBrazil $1,160 74
9 🇵🇾 AsunciónParaguay $1,205 72
10 🇨🇱 ValparaísoChile $1,130 71
11 🇨🇱 SantiagoChile $1,285 71
12 🇨🇴 BogotáColombia $1,344 71
13 🇧🇷 Porto AlegreBrazil $1,088 70
14 🇵🇪 LimaPeru $1,345 70
15 🇧🇷 São PauloBrazil $1,390 68
16 🇦🇷 CórdobaArgentina $1,292 66
17 🇧🇷 FortalezaBrazil $995 65
18 🇧🇴 La PazBolivia $566 64
19 🇦🇷 MendozaArgentina $1,131 64
20 🇧🇷 Rio de JaneiroBrazil $1,485 63
21 🇧🇴 Santa CruzBolivia $621 60

Narrow it down

+ 🛂 Nomad visa+ 🌴 Warm winters+ 🏥 Strong healthcare+ 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ friendly+ ✈️ ≤6h flight to the US

Related lists

Cheap citiesCheap cities in Central Asia & the CaucasusCheap cities in Southeast AsiaCheap cities in Europe outside SchengenCheap cities in East & South AsiaCities in South AmericaCities in South America with a digital nomad visaCities in South America with good weather most of the yearCities in South America with warm wintersCities in South America with clean airCities in South America under $1,000 a monthCheap cities in South America with a digital nomad visa ⭐ All best-of lists →