Moving to Ecuador from Iowa
What to Expect
Considering a move from Iowa to Ecuador? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Iowa to Ecuador, you would find that Ecuador is 45.6% cheaper than Iowa. A $75,000 salary in Iowa would need to be roughly $45,212 in Ecuador to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Quito averages 71°F vs 60°F in Des Moines, making it significantly warmer.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Iowa and Ecuador.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → $45,212
To maintain the same standard of living in Ecuador
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 60.1% less
Groceries
pay 43.5% less
Transportation
pay 23.6% less
Housing
pay 65.1% less
Childcare
pay 76.4% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 48.5% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
Get free moving quotes to Ecuador
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from Iowa to Ecuador.
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Ecuador compared to Iowa.
How's the healthcare?
share of adults with obesity
Ecuador performs significantly better than Iowa across all health & wellbeing metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
share of households with internet
Iowa performs better than Ecuador across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Iowa performs better than Ecuador across all employment & economy metrics.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
Iowa performs better than Ecuador across all family life metrics.
Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Des Moines | Quito |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 39°/21°F (4°/-6°C) | 70°/50°F (21°/10°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) | 70°/50°F (21°/10°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 82°/62°F (28°/17°C) | 72°/49°F (22°/9°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 48°/31°F (9°/-1°C) | 70°/49°F (21°/10°C) |
View all months
| Month | Des Moines | Quito |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°/14°F (-0.6°/-9.8°C) | 70°/50°F (21.2°/9.8°C) |
| Feb | 36°/19°F (2.3°/-7.3°C) | 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.1°C) |
| Mar | 49°/30°F (9.4°/-1.3°C) | 69°/50°F (20.8°/10.1°C) |
| Apr | 62°/41°F (16.8°/5.1°C) | 70°/50°F (20.9°/10.2°C) |
| May | 72°/52°F (22.4°/11.2°C) | 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.1°C) |
| Jun | 82°/62°F (27.6°/16.7°C) | 70°/50°F (21.1°/9.8°C) |
| Jul | 86°/67°F (29.8°/19.3°C) | 71°/49°F (21.5°/9.4°C) |
| Aug | 84°/65°F (28.8°/18.2°C) | 72°/49°F (22.2°/9.6°C) |
| Sep | 76°/55°F (24.5°/12.9°C) | 72°/49°F (22.3°/9.4°C) |
| Oct | 63°/43°F (17.3°/6.1°C) | 71°/49°F (21.8°/9.5°C) |
| Nov | 48°/31°F (8.8°/-0.8°C) | 70°/49°F (21.3°/9.6°C) |
| Dec | 34°/18°F (1.1°/-7.8°C) | 70°/49°F (21.3°/9.7°C) |
Data:
National Weather Service,
Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología - INAMHI
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Ecuador. To live, work, or study long-term in Ecuador, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Ecuador's immigration authority.
United States passport holder visiting Ecuador
Visa Free
Ecuador passport holder visiting United States
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Ecuador than Iowa?
On average Ecuador is about 40% less expensive than Iowa, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Ecuador?
Budget about $11,303 for 3 months in Ecuador (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Ecuador?
From major Ecuador cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Iowa and Ecuador are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in Ecuador compared to Iowa?
Ecuador performs significantly better than Iowa across all health & wellbeing metrics.
What's the weather like in Ecuador compared to Iowa?
The average high temperature in Quito is 71°F, compared to 60°F in Des Moines. Quito receives around 43.2 in of rainfall per year, while Des Moines gets 36.0 in.
What language do they speak in Ecuador?
The official language in Ecuador is Spanish. In Iowa, the official language is English.
