Nicaragua🇳🇮

At a Glance

How Nicaragua compares across key indices

Quality of Life96Safety49Healthcare60Affordability34Climate69Clean Air61

Cost of Living

34 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

49/100

Healthcare

60/100

Quality of Life

96/200

Climate

69/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Nicaragua

Cost of Living

34

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

7

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

41

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

26

100 = NYC dining

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Nicaragua — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

49/100

Crime Index

51/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

62/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime68
Nighttime31

37 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Very High79
Property crimes
Moderate54
Violent crimes
Moderate52
Drug-related crime
Moderate50

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being mugged or robbed
Moderate55
Things stolen from car
Moderate54
Home broken into
Moderate50
Being physically attacked
Low43
Being insulted or harassed
Low40
Car stolen
Low34
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low22

Based on 73 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities

City Data Coming Soon

We're gathering city-level data for Nicaragua.

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Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Nicaragua

Healthcare Index

60/100

Quality Breakdown

Friendliness & Courtesy63/100
Accuracy & Completeness58/100
Modern Equipment56/100
Speed of Service54/100
Staff Skill & Competency50/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist43/100
Cost Satisfaction75/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 19 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

None
42.1%
Public
36.8%
Private
21.1%
Healthcare60Safety49Quality of Life96
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Nicaragua

Pollution Index

61/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Air Quality61/100
Comfortable to Spend Time52/100
Drinking Water Quality49/100
Green Spaces & Parks43/100
Garbage Disposal30/100
Clean & Tidy29/100

Concerns

Water Pollution73/100
Noise & Light Pollution63/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 27 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Nicaragua

Average One-Way Commute

54minutes

Long

Traffic Index

252

Heavy congestion

Inefficiency

194

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

7.7kg/trip

How People Commute

Working from Home40.0%
Car30.0%
Bus/Trolleybus30.0%

Based on 10 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Nicaragua, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a cost of living index of 34 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US.

Is Nicaragua safe for expats?

Nicaragua has a safety index of 49/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers.

How good is healthcare in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua scores 60/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Nicaragua cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Nicaragua's cost of living is roughly 66% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 93% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Nicaragua

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Book Your First Accommodation

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