United States vs Peru
Peru costs roughly 3.4x less than United States, though United States scores higher on both safety and healthcare, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for United States expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
United States is approximately 3.4x more expensive than Peru based on cost of living including rent. This makes Peru a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Peru has a FIRE Score of 96/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 32.9, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Peru is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no visa path for retirees or digital nomads. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index of 100 matches NYC. Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to citizenship limits long-term stays.
$155/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa only 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 with a crime score of 57.4, so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
$1,957/mo
Not sure which Peru visa you qualify for?
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | United States | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1 — Normal Precautions | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 188.8 +102.8 | 86 |
| Healthcare Index | 67.8 +11.5 | 56.3 |
| Safety Index | 50.8 +17.9 | 32.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 29.4 +70.6 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,176 | $521.7 +654.3 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $4,239 | $1,920.2 +2,318.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,668.61 | $521.77 +1,146.84 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,355.41 | $273.27 +1,082.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,688.4 | $886.57 +1,801.83 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2,228.12 | $479.07 +1,749.05 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 390.28 Mbps +45.7 | 344.6 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Peru. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Peru. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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