#1⭐ 85
🇵🇪 Arequipa
Peru
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 183 days
$822/mo😎 Sep 75°F
💃 Best-of list
Best cities in South America under $1,000 a month
6 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
- All-in cost under $1,000 a month (everyday living costs plus a 1-bedroom city-center rent).
- In South America.
Ranked with the City Finder's default weights for cost, climate, safety, internet and visa-free stay. Change the weights in the City Finder →
#1⭐ 85
🇵🇪 Arequipa
Peru
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 183 days
$822/mo😎 Sep 75°F
#2⭐ 85
🇵🇪 Cusco
Peru
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 183 days
$832/mo😊 Sep 67°F
#3⭐ 80
🇪🇨 Cuenca
Ecuador
🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days
$952/mo😊 Sep 69°F
#4⭐ 65
🇧🇷 Fortaleza
Brazil
🛡️ Low safety🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days
$995/mo😅 Sep 88°F
#5⭐ 64
🇧🇴 La Paz
Bolivia
🗓️ 90 days
$566/mo😊 Sep 65°F
#6⭐ 60
🇧🇴 Santa Cruz
Bolivia
🛡️ Low safety🗓️ 90 days
$621/mo😅 Sep 89°F
| Compare | # | City | $/mo | ☀️ Pleasant months | 🛡️ Safety | 🛂 Visa | ⭐ Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  🇵🇪 ArequipaPeru |
$822 | 85 | ||||
| 2 |  🇵🇪 CuscoPeru |
$832 | 85 | ||||
| 3 |  🇪🇨 CuencaEcuador |
$952 | 80 | ||||
| 4 |  🇧🇷 FortalezaBrazil |
$995 | 65 | ||||
| 5 |  🇧🇴 La PazBolivia |
$566 | 64 | ||||
| 6 |  🇧🇴 Santa CruzBolivia |
$621 | 60 |