Cheapest Places to Live in South America
Where the rent is low, the food is good, and the peso keeps everyone guessing.
Florianopolis
Brazil$627/mo rent. South America cheap means you can actually live, not just exist.
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil$661/mo rent. South America cheap means you can actually live, not just exist.
Medellin
Colombia$703/mo. By South American standards, this is the premium tier.
Buenos Aires
Argentina$767/mo. By South American standards, this is the premium tier.
Data: Numbeo · UNODC · EIU · World Bank · EF EPI · Ookla Speedtest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest city to live in South America in 2026?▾
Florianopolis (Brazil) has the lowest city-centre rent in our database at $627/month. That's a 1-bedroom — not a closet with a hot plate.
Top 3 cheapest cities in South America?▾
#1 Florianopolis ($627/mo), #2 Rio de Janeiro ($661/mo), #3 Medellin ($703/mo). All real rent data from Numbeo, not guesswork.
Which cheap city is actually safe?▾
Buenos Aires (Argentina) has a homicide rate of 4.3 per 100k and rent around $767/mo. Safe and cheap — the unicorn combination.
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