Side-by-side city decision # Dumaguete vs Asunción. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link DumaguetePhilippines3 VS AsunciónParaguay1 $630Dumaguete monthly budget $770Asunción monthly budget 20 MbpsDumaguete internet 25 MbpsAsunción internet Decision summary Dumaguete Dumaguete leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Dumaguete Speed Fastest internet Asunción Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Dumaguete Air Cleanest air Dumaguete Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Dumaguete](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/dumaguete.md) Philippines 3/6 Budget$630 Internet20 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Asunción](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/paraguay/asuncion.md) Paraguay 1/6 Budget$770 Internet25 Mbps Vibe7/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $630 $770 1-bed center rent $300 $380 Coworking desk $100 $130 Local meal $3.5 $6 Cappuccino $2.5 $2.5 Gym membership $30 $35 Transport budget $30 $40 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 20 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 60/100 55/100 Air quality 70/100 55/100 Walkability 6/10 6/10 Female safety 7/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Tropical monsoon Humid subtropical Best time to visit Nov - May Apr - Oct Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Dumaguete](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/dumaguete.md) Philippines → ### Strengths * Extremely low cost of living * Friendly and English-speaking locals * Excellent diving and marine life nearby * Chilled, small-town atmosphere * Good base for island hopping (Apo, Siquijor) * Year-round warm climate ### Trade-offs * Slow and unreliable internet (especially during rain) * Frequent power outages * Limited nightlife and entertainment options * Poor public healthcare facilities * Tap water not drinkable * Few direct flights; requires connecting via Manila or Cebu ### Common visa routes * 30-day visa-free entry (renewable once) * 59-day extension at Bureau of Immigration * Balikbayan visa for former Filipino citizens [Asunción](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/paraguay/asuncion.md) Paraguay → ### Strengths * Very low cost of living * Friendly and welcoming locals * Stable economy with low inflation * Easy residency process for nomads * Pleasant climate from April to October * Good street food scene ### Trade-offs * Extreme heat and humidity from November to March * Limited English spoken outside expat hubs * Public transportation is chaotic and old * Tap water not drinkable * Occasional power outages * Slow bureaucracy for long-term visas ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (90 days, extendable) * Pensionado visa (monthly income ~$1,300) * Rentista visa (investment or passive income) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.