Montevideo vs Santiago: cost of living for digital nomads
Montevideo, Uruguay and Santiago, Chile, 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
- Montevideo is about 6% cheaper than Santiago for a month of nomad living ($1,700 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $780 in Montevideo against $850 in Santiago.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Santiago: 200 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Montevideo is temperate; Santiago is mediterranean.
Montevideo wins 5 of the measured lines; Santiago wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Montevideo or Santiago?
Montevideo is cheaper: about $1,700/month against $1,800/month in Santiago, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Montevideo or Santiago?
Montevideo and Santiago score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Montevideo or Santiago?
Santiago has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Montevideo.
| Line | Montevideo | Santiago |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,700 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $780 | $850 |
| Food | $450 | $460 |
| Transport | $45 | $50 |
| Coworking | $130 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 200 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
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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): Montevideo October 31, 2026, Santiago November 5, 2026.