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Best Countries in the Americas to Live

The Americas offer everything from Canada's world-class healthcare and safety to Mexico's affordability and Costa Rica's lifestyle. We rank countries across North, Central, and South America using 15 institutional data sources — from World Bank economic indicators to WHO healthcare coverage — so you can make a data-driven decision.

Geographic diversityGrowing digital nomad scenesAffordable Latin AmericaStrong economies

Countries Ranked

$1,938

Avg. Monthly Cost

$1,300

Lowest Monthly Cost

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Top 10 in Americas

Ranked using balanced quality weights across 7 dimensions. Scores reflect 15 institutional data sources.

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Canada

North America

EducationSafetyInfrastructure

Uruguay

South America

HealthcareEducationLifestyle

United States

North America

Career & EconomyInfrastructureCost of Living

Chile

South America

HealthcareEducationSafety

Costa Rica

Central America

LifestyleSafetyHealthcare

Panama

Central America

SafetyHealthcareLifestyle

Argentina

South America

SafetyHealthcareLifestyle

Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean

LifestyleEducationSafety

Mexico

North America

LifestyleCareer & EconomyHealthcare

Peru

South America

LifestyleSafetyEducation

37.52

Score

~$1,450/mo

Plus 6 more countries ranked in Americas

View All 16 Countries

#1 in Americas

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Canada

North America

66.89

Overall Score

$2,850

Est. Monthly Cost

Canada excels in your top priority (safety) with a score of 95, backed by strong career.

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Rankings by Lifestyle

Looking for something specific? Our persona-optimized rankings weight dimensions differently based on your priorities.

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Best Countries for Digital Nomads

Infrastructure · Lifestyle · Cost of Living · Safety

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Best Countries to Retire Abroad

Healthcare · Safety · Cost of Living · Lifestyle

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Best Countries for Families

Education · Safety · Healthcare · Cost of Living

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Best Countries for Career Relocation

Career & Economy · Infrastructure · Lifestyle · Safety

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Best Countries for Entrepreneurs

Career & Economy · Infrastructure · Cost of Living · Safety

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Best Low-Tax Countries to Live

Lifestyle · Safety · Healthcare · Infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries in the Americas are best for retirees?

Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay are popular retirement destinations combining low costs with decent healthcare. Our rankings weight healthcare quality (WHO data), safety (Global Peace Index), and cost of living to identify the best fits.

How do North and South American countries compare on safety?

Canada and Chile consistently lead on safety using Global Peace Index scores. Uruguay and Costa Rica also score well. We combine multiple safety indicators including homicide rates, political stability, and internal conflict measures.

Are there affordable countries with good infrastructure?

Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica offer strong infrastructure scores (good internet, modern cities) at significantly lower costs than the US or Canada. Pro users can compare specific cities within these countries.