George Town vs Quito
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Quito is approximately 6% less expensive than George Town based on cost of living including rent. This makes Quito a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Quito has a FIRE Score of 90/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 80, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Quito is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowBahamas
George Town
Ecuador
Quito
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Quito
Quito is one of the best-value expat cities in the Americas, with a cost of living index of 35/100 and a 1-bedroom in the center at $483/mo. The catch is altitude: 2850 m will humble you for the first few weeks. A local average net salary of $603/mo means the city is cheap for dollar earners but tight for locals, so negotiate rent in dollars and live well. With an overall expat score of 88/100 and a FIRE score of 90/100, it earns its place on your shortlist.
About Ecuador
A one-bedroom near the city center runs $372.58 a month, less than a parking spot in most US downtowns, and covers you well below the $1,446 monthly income the Jubilado visa requires. That gap is the whole pitch: cheap, legal, permanent residency within reach on modest Social Security income. But the Safety Index sits at 37.5 with a Safety Index of 37.5, so this works only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flashy expat compounds.
Quito costs roughly 3.4x less than George Town. The cost gap makes Quito the stronger pick for financial independence. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Quito is approximately 6% less expensive than George Town based on cost of living including rent. This makes Quito a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Quito has a FIRE Score of 90/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 80, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Quito is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About George Town
George Town, Bahamas, is a tiny, sleepy outpost with a population of just 2,000 and a cost of living that is 17 percent higher than New York City. While rent is cheap -- a one-bedroom in the city center averages $513 a month -- the average local salary of $1,092 is barely enough to cover the $1,200 in monthly expenses excluding rent. The safety index is high at 85, but the small expat community and fair healthcare quality make it a niche choice for digital nomads on the Bahamas BEATS visa rather than a mainstream relocation hub.
About Bahamas
Best for retirees via the Permanent Residence pathway, anchored by no language requirement and direct flights. Living costs are high—$1,752 monthly plus $1,196 rent—but its Safety Index of 42.6 and medium expat safety rating are solid for the region. Main trade-off: no minimum income requirement and no personal income tax could complicate budgeting.
$2,298/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Quito
Quito is one of the best-value expat cities in the Americas, with a cost of living index of 35/100 and a 1-bedroom in the center at $483/mo. The catch is altitude: 2850 m will humble you for the first few weeks. A local average net salary of $603/mo means the city is cheap for dollar earners but tight for locals, so negotiate rent in dollars and live well. With an overall expat score of 88/100 and a FIRE score of 90/100, it earns its place on your shortlist.
About Ecuador
A one-bedroom near the city center runs $372.58 a month, less than a parking spot in most US downtowns, and covers you well below the $1,446 monthly income the Jubilado visa requires. That gap is the whole pitch: cheap, legal, permanent residency within reach on modest Social Security income. But the Safety Index sits at 37.5 with a Safety Index of 37.5, so this works only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flashy expat compounds.
$2,303/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
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| Metric | George Town | Quito |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $512.88 | $482.78 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $372.25 | $313.44 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $930.64 | $949.89 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $663.85 | $546.8 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 80 |
| Internet Speed | 49Mbps | 60Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | George Town | Quito |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $702/mo | $697/mo |
| Excluding rent | $330/mo | $384/mo |
| Rent | $372/mo | $313/mo |
| Groceries | $121/mo | $128/mo |
| Dining out | $36.00/mo | $60.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $85.00/mo | $100/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $77.00/mo | $75.00/mo |
| Transport | $11.00/mo | $21.00/mo |
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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