Quito vs Ambato
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Quito leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Ambato where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Ambato's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Quito | Ambato |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 66 | 68 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 42 | 47 |
| Climate | 100 | 99 |
| Safety | 62 | 62 |
| Summer °C | 15.1 | 14.3 |
| Winter °C | 14.5 | 12.4 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Quito vs Ambato: the short answer
Ambato comes out ahead on overall livability (68/100), only marginally above Quito (66/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Ambato is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Quito 42 vs Ambato 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Quito runs warmer in summer (about 15.1°C peak vs 14.3°C in Ambato), while winter lows sit near 14.5°C in Quito and 12.4°C in Ambato. On natural-disaster exposure Ambato is the safer choice (safety 62/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Quito and earthquake for Ambato.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Ambato — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Quito — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Ambato — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Ambato — 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 Quito or Ambato better to live in?
Ambato scores higher overall — 68 vs 66 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Quito or Ambato?
Ambato has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 42; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Quito or Ambato?
Quito — summer highs reach about 15.1°C versus 14.3°C in Ambato.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Quito or Ambato?
Ambato (disaster-safety 62/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Quito, earthquake in Ambato.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Quito?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Quito on our risk index.
How is the Quito vs Ambato 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.