Ayacucho vs Lima
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Ayacucho is approximately 111% less expensive than Lima based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ayacucho a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ayacucho has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 58, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Ayacucho is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowPeru
Ayacucho
Peru
Lima
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Lima
Lima is the best value big city in South America for expats who can tolerate gray skies and a language barrier, with a cost of living index of 36/100 and a one-bedroom outside the center at $337/mo. The catch is that local salaries average $651/mo, so the comfortable tier at $1,184/mo puts you in a different economy than most Limeños, and the safety index of 45/100 plus an air quality index of 85 means Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are worth their premium. Digital nomads and early retirees will thrive on the 76/100 expat score and the Rentista visa's $1,000/mo income floor, but retirees should note the 59/100 retiree score and limited English proficiency. Come for the $4 restaurant meals and 60 Mbps internet, stay if you can handle the Garúa.
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa requires $1,000/mo income to qualify. That math works for retirees on fixed Social Security checks. But the Safety Index sits at 32.9 so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
Ayacucho costs roughly 3% less than Lima. Lima leads on digital nomad infrastructure, with faster average internet speeds. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Ayacucho is approximately 111% less expensive than Lima based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ayacucho a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ayacucho has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 58, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Ayacucho is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Ayacucho
Ayacucho is a bargain hunter's dream: a one-bedroom outside the center runs $87/mo, and a single adult can live on $800/mo all in, against a cost of living index of 35/100. The catch is that local salaries average $478/mo, so unless you bring remote income or a pension, the math does not work in your favor. At 2,761 m, the temperate dry climate is pleasant, but 15 Mbps internet, limited English, and a very few expat community make it a poor fit for digital nomads and a mediocre one for retirees. Come for the $2 restaurant meals and $15 gym membership, stay only if solitude and thin air suit you.
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa requires $1,000/mo income to qualify. That math works for retirees on fixed Social Security checks. But the Safety Index sits at 32.9 so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
$2,171/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Lima
Lima is the best value big city in South America for expats who can tolerate gray skies and a language barrier, with a cost of living index of 36/100 and a one-bedroom outside the center at $337/mo. The catch is that local salaries average $651/mo, so the comfortable tier at $1,184/mo puts you in a different economy than most Limeños, and the safety index of 45/100 plus an air quality index of 85 means Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are worth their premium. Digital nomads and early retirees will thrive on the 76/100 expat score and the Rentista visa's $1,000/mo income floor, but retirees should note the 59/100 retiree score and limited English proficiency. Come for the $4 restaurant meals and 60 Mbps internet, stay if you can handle the Garúa.
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa requires $1,000/mo income to qualify. That math works for retirees on fixed Social Security checks. But the Safety Index sits at 32.9 so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
$2,174/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Ayacucho | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $348.68 | $734.53 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $87.17 | $387.86 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $871.69 | $1199.35 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $232.45 | $761.84 |
| Safety Index | 58 | 29.8 |
| Internet Speed | 15Mbps | 60Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Ayacucho | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $826/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $438/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $388/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $158/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $44.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $93.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $110/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $33.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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