Ilopango vs Nova Lima: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Ilopango costs roughly 14% less than Nova Lima. 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.
Nova Lima is approximately 72% less expensive than Ilopango based on cost of living including rent. This makes Nova Lima a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Nova Lima has a FIRE Score of 84/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Nova Lima is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Ilopango
Ilopango is a cheap, low-key base for anyone who wants El Salvador without San Salvador prices, and the numbers back it up: a cost of living index of 30/100 against an average monthly net salary of $995/mo, with a single person spending about $380/mo excluding rent. The rent data is genuinely strange, though, since a 1-bedroom outside the center runs $1,020/mo while a 3-bedroom in the center goes for $590/mo, so do not sign anything before you have walked the listings yourself. An expat score of 84/100 and a FIRE score of 84/100 are strong, but a retiree score of 61/100 and a digital nomad score of 63/100 tell you the infrastructure and community are thin, and with no expat community to speak of, you are moving into a working Salvadoran city, not a resort. Come for the low overhead and the 621 m elevation, stay only if you can handle being the only foreigner in the room.
About El Salvador
Safety Index of 31.4 with a crime score of 58.6 is the real barrier here, not the paperwork. Remote workers chasing the Digital Nomad Visa at just $1,636/mo income should look past it, since Quality of Life scores 87.2 and rent runs $739/mo for a 1BR. Bitcoin-friendly tax rules help, but 30% progressive income tax still bites for high earners.
$1,578/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Nova Lima
Nova Lima is a quiet, high-altitude suburb of Belo Horizonte, not a standalone expat hub. Rent is dirt cheap at $390 for a one-bedroom in the center, and your total monthly budget can be as low as $1,050. The FIRE score of 84/100 reflects that, but the digital nomad score of 67/100 and limited English proficiency mean you'll need Portuguese to get by. It's a solid, no-frills option for cost-focused retirees or remote workers who don't mind a sleepy town.
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.
$1,550/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Ilopango | Nova Lima |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $670 | $390 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1020 | $280 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $590 | $750 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $630 | $550 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 45Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Ilopango | Nova Lima |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $559/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $279/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $280/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $97.00/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $60.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $34.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $88.00/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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Ilopango vs Nova Lima -- Frequently Asked Questions
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