San Felipe vs Maceió
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Maceió is approximately 43% less expensive than San Felipe based on cost of living including rent. This makes Maceió a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Maceió has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 62, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Maceió is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowMexico
San Felipe
Brazil
Maceió
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Maceió
Maceió is a solid mid-tier pick for remote workers and budget-conscious expats, with a 1-bedroom outside the centre at $300/mo and a single person's monthly costs excluding rent at $520/mo. The digital nomad score of 70/100 and FIRE score of 80/100 reflect real value, though the retiree score of 62/100 and fair healthcare quality mean it is not a soft landing for everyone. Stick to Ponta Verde, Pajuçara, or Jatiúca, where English is common in tourist areas, and accept that the expat community is small.
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.
San Felipe costs roughly 3.1x less than Maceió. Maceió has significantly faster average internet speeds (50 Mbps vs 25 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Maceió is approximately 43% less expensive than San Felipe based on cost of living including rent. This makes Maceió a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Maceió has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 62, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Maceió is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About San Felipe
San Felipe is a small-town bargain with a catch: at 17 thousand people, it delivers $600/mo one-bedroom rent in the center and a $1,400/mo budget tier, but its 25 Mbps internet and 72 air quality index will test anyone who needs speed or clean air. The 81/100 FIRE score is the real draw, and $7 restaurant meals plus a $33 three-course dinner for two keep daily life cheap. Retirees should look elsewhere given the 56/100 retiree score and Fair healthcare, and the $3,738/mo income floor for the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa is steep for a town this size. Come for the low burn rate, not the infrastructure.
About Mexico
Safety-sensitive retirees should pause: a 46.6 safety index and a significant safety index gap may signal real risk. But budget-conscious Americans willing to navigate that tradeoff get low rent (a one-bedroom city-center apartment averages $659.65\/mo), a large expat network, and an easy $3,738/mo income visa path to permanent residency.
$1,000/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Maceió
Maceió is a solid mid-tier pick for remote workers and budget-conscious expats, with a 1-bedroom outside the centre at $300/mo and a single person's monthly costs excluding rent at $520/mo. The digital nomad score of 70/100 and FIRE score of 80/100 reflect real value, though the retiree score of 62/100 and fair healthcare quality mean it is not a soft landing for everyone. Stick to Ponta Verde, Pajuçara, or Jatiúca, where English is common in tourist areas, and accept that the expat community is small.
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.
$1,300/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | San Felipe | Maceió |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $600 | $420 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $450 | $300 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $950 | $880 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $700 | $650 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 62 |
| Internet Speed | 25Mbps | 50Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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