Rio de Janeiro vs Roatan: cost of living for digital nomads
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Roatan, Honduras, 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
- Roatan is about 3% cheaper than Rio de Janeiro for a month of nomad living ($1,585 vs $1,640).
- Roatan scores higher on safety (6/10 vs 5/10).
- Internet is faster in Rio de Janeiro: 150 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Rio de Janeiro wins 2 of the measured lines; Roatan wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Roatan?
Roatan is cheaper: about $1,585/month against $1,640/month in Rio de Janeiro, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Rio de Janeiro or Roatan?
Roatan scores higher on safety: 6/10 against 5/10 for Rio de Janeiro.
Which has faster internet, Rio de Janeiro or Roatan?
Rio de Janeiro has faster typical internet: 150 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Roatan.
| Line | Rio de Janeiro | Roatan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,640 | $1,585 |
| Rent | $700 | $700 |
| Food | $420 | $420 |
| Transport | $50 | $50 |
| Coworking | $140 | $95 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 150 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Compare Rio de Janeiro 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): Rio de Janeiro September 11, 2026, Roatan September 11, 2026.