Paraguay🇵🇾

At a Glance

How Paraguay compares across key indices

Quality of Life122Safety42Healthcare64Affordability29Climate92Clean Air63

Cost of Living

29 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

42/100

Healthcare

64/100

Quality of Life

122/200

Climate

92/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Paraguay

Cost of Living

29

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

9

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

29

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

27

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $719 in Encarnacion to $1,042 in Asuncion

City Costs Comparison

Encarnacion

Cheapest

$719/mo

Housing$290
Food$273
Transport$35
Utilities$59

Asuncion

$1,042/mo

Food$96

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

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

Safety Index

42/100

Crime Index

58/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

71/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime58
Nighttime28

30 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Very High87
Violent crimes
High64
Drug-related crime
High62
Property crimes
High61

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being mugged or robbed
High64
Things stolen from car
High61
Home broken into
Moderate55
Car stolen
Moderate50
Being physically attacked
Moderate47
Being insulted or harassed
Low30
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low22

Based on 160 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Paraguay

Paraguay has 2 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $719 in Encarnacion to $1,042 in Asuncion. Asuncion leads on safety, scoring 45/100.

💸Most Affordable

Encarnacion

$719/mo

Safest

Asuncion

45/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Encarnacion$719————
Asuncion$1,04245/100——64

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Paraguay

Healthcare Index

64/100

Quality Breakdown

Friendliness & Courtesy74/100
Staff Skill & Competency70/100
Modern Equipment69/100
Accuracy & Completeness69/100
Speed of Service64/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist53/100
Cost Satisfaction56/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 43 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Private
55.8%
None
18.6%
Public
14.0%
Employer Sponsored
11.6%
Healthcare64Safety42Quality of Life122
Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Paraguay

Pollution Index

63/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality60/100
Green Spaces & Parks51/100
Comfortable to Spend Time51/100
Air Quality46/100
Garbage Disposal35/100
Clean & Tidy31/100

Concerns

Water Pollution60/100
Noise & Light Pollution49/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 44 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Paraguay

Average One-Way Commute

40minutes

Average

Traffic Index

176

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

226

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

6.2kg/trip

How People Commute

Car54.2%
Walking25.0%
Bus/Trolleybus12.5%
Working from Home8.3%

Based on 24 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Paraguay, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Paraguay?

Paraguay has a cost of living index of 29 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $719 in Encarnacion and reach $1,042 in Asuncion.

What is the cheapest city in Paraguay for expats?

Encarnacion is the most affordable city in Paraguay with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $719 for a single person including rent. Asuncion is the next most affordable at $1,042/mo.

Is Paraguay safe for expats?

Paraguay has a safety index of 42/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Asuncion scores highest on safety at 45/100.

How good is healthcare in Paraguay?

Paraguay scores 64/100 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 Paraguay cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Paraguay's cost of living is roughly 71% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 91% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Paraguay

Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet — sorted before you land.

Book Your First Accommodation

Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.

Find Flights

Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.

Flight Deals

Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.

Learn about our mission