⚖️ City comparison
Cusco vs Quito
Cusco (Peru) and Quito (Ecuador), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.
The short version
- Cusco is 20% cheaper: $832 vs $1,036 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Cusco: $326 vs $459 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Both have 12 pleasant months a year.
- Similar temperatures: coldest-month highs 62°F vs 62°F, hottest 67°F vs 69°F.
- Residents rate Cusco safer: a safety index of 59 vs 37 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Peru has a nomad visa ($2,500/mo); Ecuador has a nomad visa ($1,350/mo).
Side by side
| Measure | 🇵🇪 Cusco | 🇪🇨 Quito |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 85 | 74 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $832 | $1,036 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $326 | $459 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $506 | $577 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 12 | 12 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 62–67°F | 62–69°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 59/100 (residents) | 37/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 317 Mbps | 306 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Moderate (EF) | Low (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Moderate | High |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Moderate | Low |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Moderate | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~6h to Miami | ~4h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 8 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 183 days | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (law passed, rollout 2024-25 → still maturing) | Rentista Remote Work (Nomad) Visa |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 30% | 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 37% |
Best months to be there
🇵🇪 Cusco
4 best months
🇪🇨 Quito
2 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Cusco climate · Quito climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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