Lima vs Cape Town

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lima is roughly 3% more affordable than Cape Town (index 20 vs 20, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lima
More affordable overall
3% cheaper than Cape Town · Cost index: 20 vs 20

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

20Cost Index20
645Median Income /mo1,620
32Safety Index50
15Income Tax %16
150Internet (Mbps)75
300Coworking /mo110

Price Breakdown

LimaCategoryCape Town
$702/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
36% cheaper →
$1,100/month
$1.33/liter
Meal for One
25% ← cheaper
$1/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
8% ← cheaper
$11/meal
$25/month
Monthly Transit Pass
55% cheaper →
$55/month
$67/month
Utilities (Monthly)
16% cheaper →
$80/month
$55/visit
Doctor Visit
8% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Lima

Internet150 Mbps
Coworking$300/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability68/100

Cape Town

Internet75 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lima cheaper than Cape Town?

Lima is cheaper than Cape Town. Lima has a cost of living index of 20/100 compared to 20/100 for Cape Town (New York = 100), making it roughly 3% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lima than Cape Town?

Lima is approximately 3% cheaper than Cape Town based on cost index scores (20 vs 20, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Cape Town could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,917/month in Lima.

What is the rent comparison between Lima and Cape Town?

In Lima, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $702/month. In Cape Town, the equivalent is around $1,100/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Lima or Cape Town?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Lima offers 150 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$300/month. Cape Town offers 75 Mbps and coworking at ~$110/month. Lima has a cost advantage of 3%.

What is the average income in Lima vs Cape Town?

The median net monthly salary in Lima is approximately $645 USD, compared to $1,620 USD in Cape Town.

Compare Lima with…

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