⚖️ City comparison
Belo Horizonte vs Cuenca
Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Cuenca (Ecuador), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.
The short version
- Cuenca is 18% cheaper: $952 vs $1,160 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Cuenca: $454 vs $548 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Cuenca has more pleasant weather: 12 pleasant months a year vs 10.
- Belo Horizonte is warmer: highs average 12°F more across the year (coldest-month high 75°F vs 65°F in Cuenca; hottest 84°F vs 71°F).
- Residents rate Cuenca safer: a safety index of 54 vs 41 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Internet is faster in Belo Horizonte: 341 vs 283 Mbps median download.
- Cuenca overlaps more of the US workday: 8 vs 6 hours of a 9-to-5 on US Eastern time.
- Brazil has a nomad visa ($1,500/mo); Ecuador has a nomad visa ($1,350/mo).
Side by side
| Measure | 🇧🇷 Belo Horizonte | 🇪🇨 Cuenca |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 74 | 80 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $1,160 | $952 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $548 | $454 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $611 | $498 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 10 | 12 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 75–84°F | 65–71°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 41/100 (residents) | 54/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 341 Mbps | 283 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | n/a | 8.5 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Low (EF) | Low (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | High |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Low | Low |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Very high | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~8h to Miami | ~4.5h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 6 h | 8 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) | Rentista Remote Work (Nomad) Visa |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 27.5% | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 37% |
Best months to be there
🇧🇷 Belo Horizonte
8 best months
🇪🇨 Cuenca
8 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Belo Horizonte climate · Cuenca climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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