⚖️ City comparison
Cuenca vs Cusco
Cuenca (Ecuador) and Cusco (Peru), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.
The short version
- Cusco is 13% cheaper: $832 vs $952 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Cusco: $326 vs $454 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Both have 12 pleasant months a year.
- Cuenca is warmer: highs average 3°F more across the year (coldest-month high 65°F vs 62°F in Cusco; hottest 71°F vs 67°F).
- Residents rate Cusco safer: a safety index of 59 vs 54 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Ecuador has a nomad visa ($1,350/mo); Peru has a nomad visa ($2,500/mo).
Side by side
| Measure | 🇪🇨 Cuenca | 🇵🇪 Cusco |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 80 | 85 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $952 | $832 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $454 | $326 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $498 | $506 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 12 | 12 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 65–71°F | 62–67°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 54/100 (residents) | 59/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 283 Mbps | 317 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 8.5 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Low (EF) | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | High | Moderate |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Low | Moderate |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | Moderate |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~4.5h to Miami | ~6h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 8 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | 183 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Rentista Remote Work (Nomad) Visa | Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 37% | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 30% |
Best months to be there
🇪🇨 Cuenca
8 best months
🇵🇪 Cusco
4 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Cuenca climate · Cusco climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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