Cuenca vs Mindelo: cost of living for digital nomads
Cuenca, Ecuador and Mindelo, Cape Verde, 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 0% cheaper than Mindelo for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,105).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $420 in Mindelo against $480 in Cuenca.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Mindelo: 75 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Cuenca is temperate; Mindelo is arid.
Cuenca wins 3 of the measured lines; Mindelo wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cuenca or Mindelo?
Cuenca is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,105/month in Mindelo, roughly 0% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cuenca or Mindelo?
Cuenca and Mindelo score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cuenca or Mindelo?
Mindelo has faster typical internet: 75 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Cuenca.
| Line | Cuenca | Mindelo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,105 |
| Rent | $480 | $420 |
| Food | $320 | $330 |
| Transport | $35 | $30 |
| Coworking | $90 | $75 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 75 |
| Climate | temperate | arid |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | mountain | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
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): Cuenca October 31, 2026, Mindelo September 11, 2026.