Ecuador vs Guatemala
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Ecuador is approximately 19% less expensive than Guatemala based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ecuador a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ecuador has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement.
The country's safety index is 38.3, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Ecuador is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowQuito
Ecuador
Guatemala City
Guatemala
Country-level averages. N/A or Not enough data means no figure is published for that country. * Women's inclusion scores are unverified.
About these countries
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.
Ecuador costs roughly 19% less than Guatemala. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Ecuador is approximately 19% less expensive than Guatemala based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ecuador a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ecuador has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement.
The country's safety index is 38.3, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Ecuador is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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.
$2,128/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
About Guatemala
Guatemala works for budget-focused retirees willing to trade safety for savings, not for anyone prioritizing personal security. A Safety Index of 28.9 alongside a US Travel Advisory Level 3 puts it well below regional peers. Rent outside the city center averages just $534.19/mo, and the pensionado visa requires a minimum retirement income of $1,250/mo, with progressive 5-7% income tax sweetening the math further.
$1,425/mo
Not sure which Guatemala visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Ecuador | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Quality of Life Index | 128.9 +39.5 | 89.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 78.2 +40.8 | 37.4 |
| Safety Index | 38.3 +9.4 | 28.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 31 +5.8 | 36.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $499.3 +261.2 | $760.5 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,845.9 +965.7 | $2,811.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $372.58 +441.86 | $814.44 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $283.19 +251 | $534.19 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $615.49 +1,032.08 | $1,647.57 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $488.24 +433.32 | $921.56 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 208.1 Mbps +108.3 | 99.83 Mbps |
| Ballpark effective tax rate ($80,000) | 21.0% | 4.2% +16.8pt |
| Top income tax rate | 35.0% | 7.0% +28.0pt |
| Capital gains tax rate | 37.0% | 10.0% +27.0pt |
| Dividend tax rate | 35.0% | 5.0% +30.0pt |
Rights & Inclusion
Published indices. Legal protection and public attitudes are kept separate, and neither is folded into a single score.
Same-sex relations
Not criminalized
Ecuador
Same-sex relations
Not criminalized
Guatemala
LGBTQ+ legal protection score
Attitudes
Scores run from 0 to 100. Women's inclusion scores come from the Georgetown WPS Index and are currently unverified. Sources: Equaldex, ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Spartacus Gay Travel Index and Georgetown's Women, Peace and Security Index. See the full inclusion ranking.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Ecuador and Guatemala, side by side.
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