Antigua vs Cuenca: cost of living for digital nomads
Antigua, Guatemala and Cuenca, Ecuador, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Cuenca is about 20% cheaper than Antigua for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,380).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $480 in Cuenca against $600 in Antigua.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Antigua: 90 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Antigua wins 1 of the measured lines; Cuenca wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Antigua or Cuenca?
Cuenca is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,380/month in Antigua, roughly 20% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Antigua or Cuenca?
Antigua and Cuenca score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Antigua or Cuenca?
Antigua has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Cuenca.
| Line | Antigua | Cuenca |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,380 | $1,100 |
| Rent | $600 | $480 |
| Food | $360 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $100 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 60 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | mountain | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Antigua with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Antigua September 11, 2026, Cuenca October 31, 2026.