Montevideo vs Maldonado
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Montevideo leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Maldonado where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Maldonado's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Montevideo | Maldonado |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 69 | 73 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 51 |
| Climate | 100 | 100 |
| Safety | 67 | 73 |
| Summer °C | 22.6 | 21.9 |
| Winter °C | 10.3 | 11.0 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Montevideo vs Maldonado: the short answer
Maldonado comes out ahead on overall livability (73/100), modestly above Montevideo (69/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Maldonado is the cheaper base — a moderate gap on our cost index (Montevideo 44 vs Maldonado 51, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Montevideo runs warmer in summer (about 22.6°C peak vs 21.9°C in Maldonado), while winter lows sit near 10.3°C in Montevideo and 11.0°C in Maldonado. On natural-disaster exposure Maldonado is the safer choice (safety 73/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Montevideo and flooding for Maldonado.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Maldonado — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Montevideo — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Maldonado — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Maldonado — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Montevideo or Maldonado better to live in?
Maldonado scores higher overall — 73 vs 69 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Montevideo or Maldonado?
Maldonado has the lower cost of living (cost index 51 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Montevideo or Maldonado?
Montevideo — summer highs reach about 22.6°C versus 21.9°C in Maldonado.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Montevideo or Maldonado?
Maldonado (disaster-safety 73/100). Main hazard: flooding in Montevideo, flooding in Maldonado.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Montevideo?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Montevideo on our risk index.
How is the Montevideo vs Maldonado comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.