Caraguatatuba vs Las Terrenas
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Caraguatatuba is approximately 86% less expensive than Las Terrenas based on cost of living including rent. This makes Caraguatatuba a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Caraguatatuba has a FIRE Score of 85/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 68, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Caraguatatuba is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowBrazil
Caraguatatuba
Dominican Republic
Las Terrenas
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Caraguatatuba
Caraguatatuba is a cheap coastal town where a one-bedroom outside the centre runs $233/mo and a single adult can scrape by on a budget tier of $361/mo, but local salaries average just $336/mo, so remote income is the only sane way to live here. The expat score of 85/100 and FIRE score of 87/100 flatter a place with a small expat community, limited English, and a digital nomad score of 63/100. Retirees on the VITEM XIV's $2,000/mo minimum will find good healthcare and a safety index of 68/100, though the retiree score of 69/100 warns that this is a quiet, low-energy choice. Come for the $23/mo transport pass and $7 restaurant meals, not for career prospects or urban buzz.
About Brazil
Retirees with fixed dollar income near the $2,000 VITEM XIV threshold get accessible cost of living (rent under $400) paired with genuine safety risk, a 35.5 safety index that outweigh the cheap rent math. Fine for someone prioritizing budget and expat community over personal security. Bad fit for anyone needing English-language ease, a fast PR pathway, or low-crime peace of mind.
Las Terrenas costs roughly 2.5x less than Caraguatatuba. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Caraguatatuba is approximately 86% less expensive than Las Terrenas based on cost of living including rent. This makes Caraguatatuba a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Caraguatatuba has a FIRE Score of 85/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 68, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Caraguatatuba is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Caraguatatuba
Caraguatatuba is a cheap coastal town where a one-bedroom outside the centre runs $233/mo and a single adult can scrape by on a budget tier of $361/mo, but local salaries average just $336/mo, so remote income is the only sane way to live here. The expat score of 85/100 and FIRE score of 87/100 flatter a place with a small expat community, limited English, and a digital nomad score of 63/100. Retirees on the VITEM XIV's $2,000/mo minimum will find good healthcare and a safety index of 68/100, though the retiree score of 69/100 warns that this is a quiet, low-energy choice. Come for the $23/mo transport pass and $7 restaurant meals, not for career prospects or urban buzz.
About Brazil
Retirees with fixed dollar income near the $2,000 VITEM XIV threshold get accessible cost of living (rent under $400) paired with genuine safety risk, a 35.5 safety index that outweigh the cheap rent math. Fine for someone prioritizing budget and expat community over personal security. Bad fit for anyone needing English-language ease, a fast PR pathway, or low-crime peace of mind.
$2,406/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas is a small-town beach play for people who want tropical living without big-city prices, and the numbers back it: a one-bedroom outside the center runs $388/mo, utilities $50/mo, and internet $20/mo, while a budget single adult can get by on $584/mo. The catch is that local salaries average $400/mo, so this is a place you bring money to, not earn it, and the $1,500/mo Rentista/Pensionado or $2,000/mo Digital Nomad Visa income floors confirm it. With an expat score of 83/100 and a FIRE score of 85/100 but only Fair healthcare and Limited English, it suits remote workers and early retirees who can handle a 25 Mbps connection and a large, active expat scene in Playa Las Ballenas, Playa Bonita, and Punta Popy. Come for the $8 restaurant meals and $1 cappuccinos, stay if you can tolerate a 19 thousand-person town where the comforts are imported and the paychecks are not.
About Dominican Republic
Skip this if safety ranks high on your list: a 38.6 safety index and Level 2 travel advisory make it a poor fit for risk-averse retirees. But with a $1,500/mo retirement visa threshold, living costs from about $654/mo, and a clear residency and citizenship path, it works for budget-conscious retirees who accept the tradeoff.
$2,339/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Caraguatatuba | Las Terrenas |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $417.62 | $775.51 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $232.7 | $387.75 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $863.66 | $1651.02 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $524.84 | $1609.52 |
| Safety Index | 68 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 25Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Caraguatatuba | Las Terrenas |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $594/mo | $661/mo |
| Excluding rent | $361/mo | $273/mo |
| Rent | $233/mo | $388/mo |
| Groceries | $96.00/mo | $88.00/mo |
| Dining out | $75.00/mo | $83.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $65.00/mo | $22.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $102/mo | $80.00/mo |
| Transport | $23.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Caraguatatuba vs Las Terrenas -- Frequently Asked Questions
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