According to a recent study, Colombia had the lowest monthly cost of living in Latin America with 546 U.S. dollars needed for basic living. In contrast, four countries had a cost of living above one thousand dollars, Costa Rica, Chile, Panama and Uruguay. In 2022, the highest minimum wage in the region was recorded by Ecuador with 425 dollars per month.

Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 22 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2022, the average net monthly salary in Brazil was lower than Ecuador's minimum wage.

What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work more than two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

The average for 2021 based on 11 countries was 67.5 index points. The highest value was in Uruguay: 100.24 index points and the lowest value was in Suriname: 43.15 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

As of mid-2025, Port of Spain ranked as the second Latin American and Caribbean city with the highest cost of living. The capital of ******************* obtained an index score of ****, followed by the ********* capital, with **** points.

Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, leads Latin American cities with the highest apartment sale prices in 2025, averaging ***** U.S. dollars per square meter. This figure surpasses other major metropolitan areas like Mexico City and Buenos Aires, highlighting significant disparities in real estate markets across the region. The data underscores the varying economic conditions and housing demand in different Latin American urban centers. Regional housing market trends While Montevideo tops the list for apartment prices, other countries in Latin America have experienced notable changes in their housing markets. Chile, for instance, saw the most substantial increase in house prices since 2010, with its nominal house price index surpassing *** points in early 2025. However, when adjusted for inflation, Mexico showed the highest inflation-adjusted percentage increase in house prices, growing by nearly *** percent in the first quarter of 2025, contrasting with a global decline of one percent. Home financing in Mexico The methods of home financing vary across Latin America. A breakdown of homeownership by financing method in Mexico reveals that about two-thirds of owner-occupied housing units were financed through personal resources in 2022. Nevertheless, government-backed loans such as Infonavit (Mexico’s National Housing Fund Institute), Fovissste (Housing Fund of the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers), and Fonhapo (National Fund for Popular Housing), play an important role for homebuyers, with just over ** percent of home purchases relying on such finance. Bank credit, which offers mortgage loans with interest rates ranging between **** and ** percent, appeared as a less popular option.

Detailed cost of living comparison between Central African Republic and American Samoa

Costa Rica is the country with the highest minimum monthly wage in Latin America. According to the minimum salary established by law as of January 2025, workers in the Central American country enjoy a basic monthly wage of over 726 U.S. dollars, an increase of 2.37 percent compared to the previous year. They also earn over 200 U.S. dollars more than the second place, Uruguay. On the other side of the spectrum is Venezuela, where employees are only guaranteed by law a minimum salary of 130 bolívares or little more than 2.50 dollars per month. Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 25 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2020, the average net monthly salary in Mexico was barely higher than Chile's minimum wage in 2021. What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work at least two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

Context

Already more than 18 years of history, this compilation of the main results regarding the cost of living in some Latin American countries allows a clearer view of more than a decade of results inflation in the region

Acknowledgements

I collected all these figures from each individual official authority on each of the countries, you could see the data source on the file for each row

Inspiration

I always looked for this data, but usually, some places only consolidate estimations or predictions from global financial authorities rather than go directly to the country sources

Co-Living Space Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Co-Living Space market size was valued at $21.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $72.6 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 14.2% during the forecast period of 2024–2033. The primary driver fueling this substantial growth is the rising demand for affordable and flexible housing solutions among urban millennials and young professionals worldwide. As urbanization accelerates and the cost of living in major cities continues to soar, co-living spaces offer a compelling alternative by combining affordability, convenience, and a sense of community. This evolving lifestyle preference, coupled with technological advancements in property management and digital platforms, is reshaping the residential real estate landscape and positioning co-living as a mainstream solution for the future of urban living.

Regional Outlook

North America currently commands the largest share of the global co-living space market, accounting for nearly 35% of total market revenue in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the region’s mature real estate infrastructure, high urbanization rates, and a robust ecosystem of tech-enabled property management companies. Cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Toronto have witnessed a surge in co-living developments, driven by a growing population of young professionals and students seeking cost-effective and socially engaging living arrangements. Furthermore, favorable regulatory frameworks and the proliferation of venture-backed startups have accelerated the adoption of co-living models, making North America a benchmark for operational excellence and innovation in the sector.

The Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market, projected to register a remarkable CAGR of 17.8% from 2024 to 2033. This growth trajectory is propelled by rapid urban migration, a burgeoning middle class, and escalating property prices in metropolitan hubs like Beijing, Mumbai, Singapore, and Sydney. Governments in the region are increasingly supportive of alternative housing formats to address urban housing shortages, while real estate developers and institutional investors are ramping up investments in co-living projects. The region’s youthful demographic profile and cultural openness to shared living further catalyze market expansion, positioning Asia Pacific as a critical engine for future growth in the global co-living space market.

In emerging economies across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, the adoption of co-living spaces is gaining momentum but faces unique challenges. Limited awareness, regulatory ambiguities, and varying cultural perceptions of shared living can hinder rapid adoption. However, as urbanization intensifies and the demand for affordable housing rises, these markets present significant untapped potential. Localized demand is being addressed through partnerships with universities, corporations, and local governments, while regulatory reforms and pilot projects are gradually paving the way for broader acceptance. Despite infrastructural and policy hurdles, the long-term outlook for co-living in these regions remains optimistic, especially as global operators and investors begin to explore these nascent markets.

Report Scope

Latin America Manufactured Homes Market size was valued at USD 3.00 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.00 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.2% from 2026 to 2032.

Latin America Manufactured Homes Market: Definition/ Overview

Manufactured homes are residential structures built in a factory and transported to a designated site, often referred to as mobile homes or prefabricated homes. These homes are constructed in compliance with federal regulations for safety, quality, and durability and are typically more affordable than traditional site-built homes. Manufactured homes are commonly used for permanent residential living, vacation homes, or as rental properties, offering flexibility, cost-efficiency, and quicker construction timelines.

As of May 2020, the average spending on essential products during pregnancy and a child's first year of life in Peru was estimated at approximately *** thousand U.S. dollars, making it the most expensive country to have a newborn among a selection of Latin American nations. In Mexico - the second most afforable place for new parents, among the analyzed countries - average pregnancy and newborn spending amounted to close to *** thousand U.S. dollars, or close to ** thousand pesos (as of May 2020), with furniture and house appliances as the category with the highest level of expenditure.

In 2022, nearly half of Chilean consumers indicated that, due to the rising cost of living, their stress levels during the holiday season will increase, compared to the previous year. Only ******* of surveyed consumers in Chile indicated to be less stressed about inflation during the Christmas season 2022.