Side-by-side numbers for the things that matter most when picking where to retire: monthly cost, healthcare, climate, visa rules, safety, and the strength of the expat community.
| Metric | Cuenca | Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (single) | $1,200 | $1,400 |
| Monthly cost (couple) | $1,800 | $2,000 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $500 | $600 |
| Healthcare / month | $80 | $120 |
| Healthcare quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Safety | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Expat community | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Climate | mountain | mountain |
| Avg temperature | 59°F | 72°F |
| Primary language | Spanish | Spanish |
| English proficiency | low | moderate |
| Visa min income | $1,410 | $2,500 |
Ecuador's third-largest city offers eternal spring weather at 8,400 feet, affordable cost of living, and excellent healthcare. The Pensioner Visa is among the easiest in Latin America.
Jubilado Visa: $1,410/mo pension income required. Can work and own business. Permanent residency after 21 months. Uses US Dollar. Very affordable cost of living.
The City of Eternal Spring offers perfect weather year-round, modern infrastructure, and one of the lowest visa income requirements in the Americas at just $750/month.
Retirement Visa (M Category): $2,500/mo income OR $7,000/mo for couple. 3-year renewable visa. Path to permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 5 years.
Cost is only half the story. Use the International Retirement Tax Estimator to see how Ecuador and Colombia would tax your retirement income.