Nova Lima vs Almenara: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
The two cities are closely matched — lifestyle preference and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Almenara is approximately 18% less expensive than Nova Lima based on cost of living including rent. This makes Almenara a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Almenara has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 62, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Almenara is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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
About Almenara
Almenara is a cheap, small-town Brazil play for retirees on a fixed income, with a 1-bedroom in the centre at $330/mo and a retiree score of 61/100. The catch is that English proficiency is limited and the digital nomad score sits at just 47/100, so remote workers dependent on fast connections will chafe at 22 Mbps. Safety is decent at a 62/100 index and crime at 38, but healthcare quality is only fair, which matters more as you age. Come for the $3 restaurant meals and the 2 km hop to AMJ, not for a buzzing expat scene.
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.
$2,511/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visa routes in this countryBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Nova Lima | Almenara |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $390 | $330.21 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $280 | $254.73 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $750 | N/A |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $550 | N/A |
| Safety Index | 65 | 62 |
| Internet Speed | 45Mbps | 22.1Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Nova Lima | Almenara |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $559/mo | $499/mo |
| Excluding rent | $279/mo | $244/mo |
| Rent | $280/mo | $255/mo |
| Groceries | $97.00/mo | $94.00/mo |
| Dining out | $60.00/mo | $27.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $34.00/mo | $31.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $88.00/mo | $92.00/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.
Planning a move to Almenara? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Brazil and Brazil.
Compare visas →Explore Brazil
Nova Lima vs Almenara -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Almenara
Find hotels in Almenara
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Almenara
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →eSIM for Almenara
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Almenara
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →