Santos vs Iturama: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Santos ranks meaningfully higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Iturama is approximately 62% less expensive than Santos based on cost of living including rent. This makes Iturama a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Iturama has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 55, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Iturama is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
About Santos
Santos is a coastal bargain with a cost of living index of 38/100 and a 1-bedroom city centre rent of $538/mo, yet the average monthly net salary of $580/mo means locals and expats on local wages will feel squeezed. The expat score of 83/100 and safety index of 75/100 make it genuinely appealing for remote workers and retirees, though the $2,000/mo income floor for the VITEM XIV visa is steep against those rents. Budget $676/mo if you live lean, but expect $1,150/mo for a comfortable single life, and note that English proficiency is common only in tourist areas. Gonzaga and Boqueirão are the expat hubs, and at 2 m above sea level with a tropical climate, this is a flat, humid city that rewards those who can earn in stronger currencies.
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.
$2,058/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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City Details
About Iturama
Iturama is cheap, with a 1-bedroom in the centre at $331/mo and outside at $265/mo, but a single person still needs $530/mo excluding rent. The 46 thousand population and 15 Mbps internet make it a poor fit for digital nomads, who score it 43/100, and the 234 km haul to UBA airport is a real inconvenience. Retirees on the VITEM XIV's $2,000/mo income floor will find good healthcare and a 62/100 retiree score, provided they can handle 40°C summers and limited English.
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.
$1,351/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Santos | Iturama |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $537.54 | $331.1 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $419.08 | $264.88 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $978.02 | N/A |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $696.06 | N/A |
| Safety Index | 75 | 55 |
| Internet Speed | 55Mbps | 14.9Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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Santos vs Iturama -- Frequently Asked Questions
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