San Andrés vs Campinas: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Campinas costs roughly 12% less than San Andrés. The cost gap makes Campinas the stronger pick for financial independence. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Campinas is approximately 11% less expensive than San Andrés based on cost of living including rent. This makes Campinas a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Campinas has a FIRE Score of 86/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 72, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Campinas is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About San Andrés
San Andrés is a small island town where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $537/mo, though the local average net salary of $525/mo means most residents are not the ones paying $480/mo for a city center one-bedroom. The FIRE score of 75/100 and digital nomad score of 70/100 are the real draw, and the $1,318/mo Colombia Digital Nomad Visa threshold is comfortably within reach for remote workers earning US or European wages. Retirees get a weaker deal at 58/100, and with healthcare rated only Fair and a rainy season from May to December, this is a place for beach lovers who prioritize low costs over infrastructure. Come for the $26/mo internet and the North End and San Luis expat pockets, but do not expect big-city comforts.
About Colombia
Colombia works for budget-focused retirees willing to trade nightly safety margin for cost savings, not for anyone spooked by a Level 3 travel advisory. Rent outside the center runs $343.7/mo, gutting your housing line, but a 39.1 safety index means you plan routes and skip flashing cash. The income threshold for the Pensionado visa is $1,382/mo, and the Nomad visa requires $1,318/mo, cheap entry into a clear PR pathway.
$2,221/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Campinas
Campinas is a solid bet for expats who want big-city convenience without São Paulo prices, with a 1-bedroom outside the centre at $291/mo and a cost of living index of 37/100. The catch is the local economy: an average monthly net salary of $570/mo means most residents cannot afford the mid-range tier at $682/mo, so remote workers earning foreign income have a real edge here. The expat score of 84/100 and FIRE score of 86/100 reflect that advantage, though the safety index of 72/100 and air quality index of 55 keep it from being a paradise. Pick Cambuí, Barão Geraldo, or Sousas and you get a comfortable subtropical base at 670 m with 120 Mbps internet for $23/mo.
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.
$2,318/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | San Andrés | Campinas |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $480 | $431.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $350 | $290.67 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $900 | $961.6 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $650 | $679.11 |
| Safety Index | 68 | 72 |
| Internet Speed | 42.1Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | San Andrés | Campinas |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $732/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $441/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $291/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $123/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $98.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $73.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $103/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $44.00/mo |
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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San Andrés vs Campinas -- Frequently Asked Questions
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