Brazil

Brazil offers American expats a dramatically lower cost of living than the US, with Numbeo (2025) placing its cost-of-living index at roughly one-third of US levels and one-bedroom apartments in city centers averaging around USD 550/month. The country is known for its vibrant culture, warm climate, and large domestic economy, with expat hubs in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis, and the Northeast coast. Safety is the most significant tradeoff. The US State Department maintains Brazil at Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution") as of its July 2024 advisory, with higher-level warnings for specific border regions and urban favelas. The 2024 Global Peace Index ranks Brazil around 132 out of 163 countries. Healthcare quality is mixed: the public SUS system is free and universal but overstretched, while private healthcare in major cities is high quality and affordable by US standards. English is not widely spoken. Brazil scored in the "Low Proficiency" band on the EF English Proficiency Index 2024, so Portuguese is effectively required for daily life outside of tourist zones and multinational workplaces.