Side-by-side city decision

# São Luís vs Kathmandu.

A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.

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São LuísBrazil1
VS
KathmanduNepal3

$790São Luís monthly budget
$730Kathmandu monthly budget
25 MbpsSão Luís internet
30 MbpsKathmandu internet

Decision summary
Kathmandu

Kathmandu leads on more of the six headline signals.

Cost
Best budget
Kathmandu

Speed
Fastest internet
Kathmandu

Vibe
Best nomad vibe
Tie

Safety
Highest safety
Kathmandu

Air
Cleanest air
São Luís

Walk
Most walkable
Tie

Quick read

## Two cities at a glance

The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.

[São Luís](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/brazil/sao-luis.md)
Brazil

1/6

Budget$790
Internet25 Mbps
Vibe7/10

[Kathmandu](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/nepal/kathmandu.md)
Nepal

3/6

Budget$730
Internet30 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
$790
$730

1-bed center rent
$350
$350

Coworking desk
$120
$120

Local meal
$6
$4

Cappuccino
$2.5
$2.5

Gym membership
$28
$30

Transport budget
$40
$30

### Work and infrastructure

2 signals

Internet speed
25 Mbps
30 Mbps

Nomad vibe
7/10
7/10

### Quality of life

5 signals

Safety index
45/100
60/100

Air quality
55/100
35/100

Walkability
6/10
6/10

Female safety
5/10
5/10

LGBTQ+ friendly
5/10
4/10

### Culture and climate

4 signals

Healthcare quality
Average
Average

English proficiency
Basic
Average

Climate type
Tropical monsoon
Subtropical highland

Best time to visit
Jun - Dec
Oct - Mar

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.

[São Luís](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/brazil/sao-luis.md)
Brazil

→

### Strengths

* Rich colonial architecture and culture

* Affordable cost of living

* Delicious local cuisine (e.g., arroz de cuxá)

* Beautiful beaches within easy reach

* Warm, tropical climate year-round

* Growing digital nomad community

### Trade-offs

* High humidity and heat can be draining

* English is not widely spoken

* Petty crime is common, especially in crowded areas

* Limited coworking spaces compared to larger cities

* Public transport is inefficient and crowded

* Tap water is not safe to drink

### Common visa routes

* Tourist visa (90 days)

* Digital Nomad Visa (1 year)

* Visa run to Argentina/Uruguay

[Kathmandu](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/nepal/kathmandu.md)
Nepal

→

### Strengths

* Extremely low cost of living

* Rich cultural heritage and temples

* Great trekking opportunities nearby

* Friendly local community

* Growing digital nomad scene

* Delicious and affordable local food

### Trade-offs

* Frequent power cuts and load shedding

* Poor air quality, especially in winter

* Traffic congestion in central areas

* Tap water is not drinkable

* Limited cashless payment options

* Occasional political strikes (bandhs)

### Common visa routes

* Tourist Visa (15/30/90 days)

* Business Visa

* Work Permit via employer

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.