⚖️ City comparison

Arequipa vs Lima

Two cities in Peru, compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet and how easy it is to stay.

The short version

Arequipa is 39% cheaper: $822 vs $1,345 a month all-in for one person.
Rent is lower in Arequipa: $361 vs $761 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
Arequipa has more pleasant weather: 12 pleasant months a year vs 8.
Similar temperatures: coldest-month highs 68°F vs 67°F, hottest 75°F vs 79°F.
Residents rate Arequipa safer: a safety index of 57 vs 30 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
The air is cleaner in Lima: PM2.5 of 18.5 vs 26.1 µg/m³ a year.
Same country, same visa and tax rules: the Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing) covers both.

Measure	🇵🇪 Arequipa	🇵🇪 Lima
⭐ Fit score (default weights)	85	70
💰 All-in / month	$822	$1,345
🏠 1BR rent, centre	$361	$761
🛒 Living costs, no rent	$462	$584
☀️ Pleasant months	12	8
🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month	68–75°F	67–79°F
🛡️ Safety	57/100 (residents)	30/100 (residents)
📶 Internet, median download	368 Mbps	327 Mbps
🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year	26.1 µg/m³	18.5 µg/m³
🗣️ English	Moderate (EF)	Moderate (EF)
🏥 Healthcare access (WHO)	Moderate	Moderate
👩 Women's safety & rights	Moderate	Moderate
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ equality	Moderate	Moderate
✈️ Flight to the US (est.)	~6.5h to Miami	~5.5h to Miami
🕘 US work-hour overlap	8 h	8 h
🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport)	183 days	183 days
🛂 Nomad visa	Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing)	Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing)
🧾 Tax if resident	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 30%	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 30%

🇵🇪 Arequipa

11 best months

🇵🇪 Lima

8 best months

Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Arequipa climate · Lima climate.

Data last updated September 7, 2026 · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research