La Romana vs Ubatuba: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Ubatuba costs roughly 5.3x less than La Romana. La Romana has significantly faster average internet speeds (65 Mbps vs 40 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Ubatuba is approximately 13% less expensive than La Romana based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ubatuba a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ubatuba has a FIRE Score of 87/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Ubatuba is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About La Romana
La Romana is a solid mid-tier pick for expats who want Caribbean living without Santo Domingo prices, with a cost of living index of 42/100 and a one-bedroom outside the center at $320/mo. The catch is scale: 139 thousand people, a small expat community, and fair healthcare mean you are trading big-city convenience for quiet. Digital nomads and FIRE types will get the most out of it, given scores of 71/100 and 77/100, while retirees at 63/100 should weigh the limited infrastructure. If you can handle a smaller social scene and want your dollar to stretch, it earns its place on your shortlist.
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.
$2,367/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Ubatuba
Ubatuba is a cheap coastal town where a one-bedroom outside the centre runs $299/mo and a cappuccino costs $1, but the local average net salary of $379/mo means most residents cannot afford even that without remote income. The expat and FIRE scores of 85/100 and 87/100 are strong, yet the digital nomad score of 61/100 and limited English proficiency signal a place better suited to settled remote workers than to social butterflies. Expect 84% humidity, 40 Mbps internet, and a small expat community concentrated in Itamambuca and Centro. If you want a lush, low-cost base with good healthcare and can tolerate relentless moisture, Ubatuba delivers; if you need a big-city social scene or fast connectivity, look elsewhere.
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.
$2,424/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | La Romana | Ubatuba |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $450 | $398.61 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $320 | $298.96 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $950 | $797.23 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $650 | $597.92 |
| Safety Index | 62 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 65Mbps | 40Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | La Romana | Ubatuba |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $683/mo | $626/mo |
| Excluding rent | $363/mo | $327/mo |
| Rent | $320/mo | $299/mo |
| Groceries | $104/mo | $111/mo |
| Dining out | $83.00/mo | $75.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $32.00/mo | $46.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $144/mo | $95.00/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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La Romana vs Ubatuba -- Frequently Asked Questions
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