Cuenca Tops the Rankings Again — But How Much Should You Trust Them?

Cuenca just topped Numbeo's South American quality-of-life ranking for the second year in a row. International Living put it on their global retirement list. Live and Invest Overseas called it "unbeatable."

If you moved here partly because of rankings like these, you're not alone. But a new El Mercurio report suggests it's worth asking: how rigorous are these lists, really?

The Numbers

Numbeo (April 2026):

• #1 in South America for quality of life (second consecutive year)
• Cost of living score: 30.75 (classified as "very low")
• 11.4% cheaper than Quito
• Security perception: 54.17 (moderate)

International Living (35th Annual Global Retirement Index, 2026):

• Cuenca recommended as a top destination for retirees and expats
• Estimated budget: $1,500–$1,800/month for a couple
• Highlights: climate, healthcare quality, safety, modern infrastructure

Live and Invest Overseas (founded by Kathleen Peddicord):

• Called Cuenca "unbeatable" for cost-benefit in Latin America
• Cited the well-integrated expat community

The Pushback

Here's where it gets interesting.

Sonia Flores, a tourism engineer, told El Mercurio that while the rankings are a "potent magnet" for long-stay tourism, they "lack the rigor of an official census." Her main concern: Numbeo's data comes from citizen perception surveys, not hard economic data.

In other words, Numbeo's cost-of-living score is based on what people think things cost, not what they actually cost. If you've ever tried to explain your actual monthly expenses to someone who just read an International Living article claiming you can live here on $800/month, you already know the gap.

Flores called for "official rankings based on real occupancy and average spending data" — something that would let the city make actual policy decisions instead of just celebrating the publicity.

Jimmy Abad, a travel advisor, agreed that the rankings provide "invaluable publicity" but warned that a listing alone "doesn't guarantee hotel occupancy." He argued Cuenca needs sustained investment in infrastructure, air connectivity, and security to convert ranking recognition into real economic benefit.

What Expats Should Take Away

None of this means the rankings are wrong. Cuenca genuinely is affordable compared to most of Latin America. The healthcare is solid. The weather is unbeatable. The expat community is one of the largest and most established on the continent.

But rankings like Numbeo and International Living are marketing tools as much as they are research. They bring people here — and that's good for the city. What happens after they arrive is a different question.

If you're already here, you don't need a list to tell you what you think of Cuenca. And if you're recommending Cuenca to friends back home, maybe send them this article alongside the International Living one. A little context goes a long way.

Source: El Mercurio