The question we get asked most often is “I make $XXXX on Social Security, can I afford to live there?” The answer is almost always yes.
Here is why:
As of June 2026, the average Social Security check is $1,937. You can easily live a very comfortable life on that amount in many areas, as long as you live with a budget, avoid the gringo/expat hotspots where rents/foods/goods are higher, and you use Ecuador’s excellent public transportation. Remember, The average monthly salary in Cuenca, Ecuador is roughly $500–$550 USD per month after tax. If the locals can survive on that, you could too even if you made substantially less than $1,000/mo.,
$1,950/month can provide a good quality of life in Ecuador
You could likely afford:
– A comfortable 1-bedroom or modest 2-bedroom apartment
– Good internet and utilities
– Plenty of fresh food
– Eating out regularly, but not extravagantly
– Taxis/rideshares and public transport
– Private healthcare visits or insurance
– Local travel and entertainment
– A small monthly emergency buffer
It is not a luxury expat budget, but it can be very comfortable if managed well.
Example lifestyle on $1,950/month
You could probably rent:
– A nice 1-bedroom apartment in many cities
– A modest 2-bedroom apartment in some areas
– A comfortable apartment in Cuenca, Loja, Ibarra, Cotacachi, Ambato, or Riobamba
– Possibly a beach-area rental if not directly oceanfront or tourist-priced
Expected rent range:
Housing type – Monthly estimate
Basic local apartment $250–$400
Comfortable 1-bedroom $400–$650
Modest 2-bedroom $500–$800
Premium expat/tourist apartment $800–$1,200+
For your budget, I’d try to keep rent around $450–$650/month.
Here’s a practical budget for one person:
Category – Estimated monthly cost
Rent $550
Utilities $75
Internet + cell phone $55
Groceries $350
Restaurants/cafes $200
Transportation $100
Health insurance/medical $175
Household/personal items $100
Entertainment $150
Local travel/day trips $100
Emergency/savings buffer $295
Total $1,950
That budget gives you a pretty balanced life.
What your daily life could look like
With $1,950/month, you could have:
– A clean, safe apartment in a decent neighborhood
– Weekly market shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, chicken, fish, rice, beans, and local foods
– Several restaurant meals per week
– Good internet for streaming/video calls
– A cell phone plan
– Occasional taxis instead of relying only on buses
– Gym membership or hobbies
– Coffee shops and social outings
– Monthly local trips or weekend getaways
– Basic private medical visits when needed
– Some money left over for emergencies
Best cities for this budget
These places would likely give you the most value:
– Cuenca
– Loja
– Ibarra
– Cotacachi
– Ambato
– Riobamba
– Vilcabamba
– Salinas