If you are considering settling in Paraguay, you have probably already identified the three main cities: Asunción (the capital), Encarnación (the pearl of the South), and Ciudad del Este (the commercial border town). You are wondering which one to choose. The problem is that 90% of what is written on the subject is either too vague ("Asunción is nice"), too extreme ("Ciudad del Este is dangerous"), or simply wrong ("you can live on 300/month everywhere in Paraguay"). This comparison is an attempt to answer the question as honestly as possible, by cross-referencing expat testimonials from each city with verifiable data. Here are the 10 criteria that really matter when choosing where to live in Paraguay.
The comparison at a glance
| Criterion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent 1-room furnished (monthly) | 800,000 - 1,400,000 Gs | 500,000 - 900,000 Gs | 600,000 - 1,000,000 Gs |
| French-speaking community | Largest (500+) | Growing (~100) | Small (~50) |
| Internet fiber/4G | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Climate | Subtropical humid | Temperate (river) | Hot and humid |
| International airport | Silvio Pettirossi (ASU) | Regional + road | Airport + BR/AR bridge |
| Safety (perception) | Good (standard precautions) | Very good | Mixed (commercial center) |
| International schools | 5+ (French, American, German) | None | 1 (bilingual) |
| Cultural life | Museums, theaters, festivals | Carnival, UNESCO missions | Shopping, BR nightlife |
| Healthcare (private clinics) | Excellent (5+ clinics) | Adequate (2 clinics) | Good (3 clinics) |
| Cost of living (1 person) | 5 - 8 M Gs/month | 3.5 - 5.5 M Gs/month | 3.5 - 5 M Gs/month |
This table is a summary. Each figure is detailed and sourced in the sections below. Rent ranges come from Clasipar and InfoCasas listings consulted in June 2026. Other estimates are based on Numbeo data (May 2026), Expatistan (June 2026), and cross-checked field data.
1. Housing: the real cost of a roof in each city
Housing is your biggest expense, and it varies the most from one city to another. In Asunción, a one-room apartment in a central neighborhood (Villa Morra, Las Mercedes, Manorá) rents for between 800,000 and 1,400,000 Gs per month. In Encarnación, the same type of home along the costanera costs between 500,000 and 900,000 Gs. In Ciudad del Este, prices are in between (600,000 to 1,000,000 Gs), but quality varies enormously depending on the neighborhood.
What they don't tell you: most rentals in Paraguay come unfurnished. No fridge, no washing machine, sometimes no fitted kitchen. If you rent an empty apartment, budget 1,500 to 3,000 for equipment in the first year. Some landlords offer furnished units (amueblados) for 20 to 30% more: an interesting option if you do not plan to stay longer than two years. Another crucial point: the lease (contrato de alquiler) is often signed for one year, with a deposit (garantía) of one or two months' rent. Landlords frequently require a Paraguayan guarantor (garante solidario). If you do not have one, some accept an additional deposit or a surety insurance (seguro de caución).
Sources: These ranges come from cross-referencing three sources: listings published on Clasipar (Paraguay's leading platform, consulted June 2026), InfoCasas data (second national platform), and resident contributions on Numbeo (May 2026). All three sources give consistent ranges within approximately 10%.
2. The French-speaking community: not being alone at the end of the world
This is a criterion many underestimate before leaving, and it becomes central after three months on the ground. Asunción concentrates the largest French-speaking community in the country, estimated at over 500 people, including French, Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian expats, dual nationals, and Paraguayans who speak French. Active WhatsApp groups, monthly social gatherings, and above all a mutual aid network that saves enormous time with administrative procedures are all available. The Lycée Français International Marcel Pagnol is a natural rallying point for families.
Encarnación has a smaller but close-knit community estimated at around one hundred people, many retirees and tourism professionals linked to the Jesuit missions. The atmosphere is more intimate, everyone knows each other. Ciudad del Este has the smallest French-speaking community, oriented more toward business and cross-border trade.
A tip: if you arrive alone and do not speak Spanish, start in Asunción. You will find a French-speaking network to help you through the first months, which are always the hardest. Once you have mastered the basics of Paraguayan life and speak some Spanish, nothing stops you from moving to Encarnación or Ciudad del Este if that appeals to you.
3. Internet and connectivity: the lifeline for digital nomads
Good news: fiber optic is available in all three cities. The main provider is Personal (formerly Copaco), with fiber plans starting at 150,000 Gs/month for 100 Mbps. Tigo and Claro also offer fiber in covered areas. In Asunción, coverage is nearly complete in central and residential neighborhoods. Encarnación is well covered along the costanera and downtown. Ciudad del Este benefits from its proximity to Brazil: competition is strong and prices are the lowest of the three cities.
The drawback: outside city centers, fiber coverage quickly drops off. If you rent a house in the outskirts or in a nearby small town, check availability BEFORE signing the lease. Mobile 4G is a decent alternative (Tigo covers most of the country), but it remains data-capped and more expensive than fiber for heavy use.
4. Safety: what the numbers say (and what people feel)
Paraguay is generally safe, but there are important differences between the three cities. Asunción has a homicide rate of 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025 (source: Observatorio Nacional de Seguridad), comparable to Paris. Central and residential neighborhoods are safe day and night with standard precautions: do not flash valuables, avoid deserted streets after midnight. Outlying lower-income neighborhoods (Bañado, Chacarita) are best avoided at night.
Encarnación is probably the safest of the three cities, with very low crime and a small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other. Ciudad del Este has a reputation as a smuggling hub, but reality is more nuanced: the commercial center is safe during the day, residential areas (Área 1, Área 2) are quiet. Problems are concentrated in the immediate border zones and at night.
Sources: Observatorio Nacional de Seguridad Ciudadana (2025 report), France Diplomatie travel advice (updated June 2026), Numbeo data on safety perception by residents (May 2026).
5. The verdict: which city for which profile?
After reviewing all these criteria, here is the verdict profile by profile. This is not an exact science: your experience will depend on your personality, your budget, and your adaptability. But these are the recommendations commonly given by expats when asked where to settle.
If you are still hesitating, come spend a month in each city before deciding. It is the only real test. A one-month Airbnb rental costs less than a year-long settling mistake.
Last updated:
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This page is written from France, sourced as carefully as possible, but I can be wrong or miss on-the-ground detail. A price that changed, outdated info, a photo to share? Every correction is credited if you want.
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