💃 Best-of list

Best cities in South America with strong public healthcare and a short flight to the US

5 of the 26 cities we cover in South America make this list, ranked by overall fit for someone moving from the US. 🇪🇨 Cuenca ranks first. Cheapest: Cuenca at $952/mo all-in. Most pleasant year-round: Cuenca, 12 months.

How this list is chosen

Strong healthcare access: 70+ on the WHO Universal Health Coverage service index (how well essential care reaches the population).
About 6 hours or less by nonstop flight to the nearest major US gateway (New York, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle), estimated from distance.
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⭐ 80 🇪🇨 Cuenca Ecuador 🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days $952/mo😊 Sep 69°F

#2⭐ 74 🇪🇨 Quito Ecuador 🛡️ Low safety🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days $1,036/mo😊 Sep 69°F

#3⭐ 72 🇨🇴 Medellín Colombia 🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days $1,644/mo😎 Sep 82°F

#4⭐ 71 🇨🇴 Bogotá Colombia 🛡️ Low safety🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days $1,344/mo😊 Sep 69°F

#5⭐ 67 🇨🇴 Cartagena Colombia 🛂 Nomad visa🗓️ 90 days ≈$1,844/mo😅 Sep 87°F

#	City	$/mo	⭐ Fit
1	🇪🇨 CuencaEcuador	$952	80
2	🇪🇨 QuitoEcuador	$1,036	74
3	🇨🇴 MedellínColombia	$1,644	72
4	🇨🇴 BogotáColombia	$1,344	71
5	🇨🇴 CartagenaColombia	≈$1,844	67

Best cities in South America with strong public healthcare and a short flight to the US

Related lists