⚖️ City comparison
Arequipa vs Viña del Mar
Arequipa (Peru) and Viña del Mar (Chile), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.
The short version
- Arequipa is 29% cheaper: $822 vs $1,159 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Arequipa: $361 vs $470 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Both have 12 pleasant months a year.
- Similar temperatures: coldest-month highs 68°F vs 64°F, hottest 75°F vs 80°F.
- Internet is faster in Viña del Mar: 435 vs 368 Mbps median download.
- The air is cleaner in Viña del Mar: PM2.5 of 11.3 vs 26.1 µg/m³ a year.
- Arequipa overlaps more of the US workday: 8 vs 6 hours of a 9-to-5 on US Eastern time.
- Peru has a nomad visa ($2,500/mo); Chile has no nomad visa.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇵🇪 Arequipa | 🇨🇱 Viña del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 85 | 80 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $822 | $1,159 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $361 | $470 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $462 | $689 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 12 | 12 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 68–75°F | 64–80°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 57/100 (residents) | 58/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 368 Mbps | 435 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 26.1 µg/m³ | 11.3 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Moderate (EF) | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Moderate | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Moderate | Moderate |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Moderate | Very high |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~6.5h to Miami | ~8.5h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 6 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 183 days | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing) | No nomad visa |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 30% | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide, with relief for newcomers, top 40% |
Best months to be there
🇵🇪 Arequipa
11 best months
🇨🇱 Viña del Mar
5 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Arequipa climate · Viña del Mar climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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