Ilhéus vs La Vega
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
La Vega is approximately 49% less expensive than Ilhéus based on cost of living including rent. This makes La Vega a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
La Vega has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: La Vega is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowBrazil
Ilhéus
Dominican Republic
La Vega
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Ilhéus
Ilhéus is a cheap beach town with real infrastructure problems, and the numbers say so plainly: a city-centre one-bedroom runs $222/mo while the average local net salary is just $597/mo, so you are living well only if your income comes from elsewhere. The FIRE score of 76/100 and overall expat score of 74/100 flatter it, but a retiree score of 52/100, fair healthcare, limited English, and a small expat community in Pontal tell the harder truth. Come for the tropical climate, the $4 restaurant meal, and 50 Mbps internet at $16/mo; do not come expecting a soft landing or a big social scene.
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.
La Vega costs roughly 6% less than Ilhéus. 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.
La Vega is approximately 49% less expensive than Ilhéus based on cost of living including rent. This makes La Vega a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
La Vega has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: La Vega is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Ilhéus
Ilhéus is a cheap beach town with real infrastructure problems, and the numbers say so plainly: a city-centre one-bedroom runs $222/mo while the average local net salary is just $597/mo, so you are living well only if your income comes from elsewhere. The FIRE score of 76/100 and overall expat score of 74/100 flatter it, but a retiree score of 52/100, fair healthcare, limited English, and a small expat community in Pontal tell the harder truth. Come for the tropical climate, the $4 restaurant meal, and 50 Mbps internet at $16/mo; do not come expecting a soft landing or a big social scene.
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.
$2,618/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About La Vega
La Vega is a cheap bet for expats who want their money to stretch: a one-bedroom outside the center runs $99/mo, and a single adult can live on a budget tier of $323/mo including rent. The catch is that the expat community is very few, English is common mainly in tourist areas, and healthcare quality is only fair, so you are trading convenience and company for a cost of living index of 36/100. Digital nomads and retirees should weigh that isolation carefully, though the 78/100 overall expat score and 80/100 FIRE score suggest the numbers work for the self-sufficient. If you want a low-cost base with tropical weather and a short 18 km hop to STI, La Vega delivers, provided you do not need a ready-made social scene.
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.
$2,574/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 | Ilhéus | La Vega |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $197.06 | $132.16 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $176.47 | $99.12 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $494.12 | $413 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $382.36 | $264.32 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 60 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 40Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Ilhéus | La Vega |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $382/mo | $426/mo |
| Excluding rent | $206/mo | $327/mo |
| Rent | $176/mo | $99.00/mo |
| Groceries | $103/mo | $104/mo |
| Dining out | $38.00/mo | $54.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $21.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $65.00/mo | $148/mo |
| Transport | N/A | 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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