Lima vs Sao Paulo

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lima is roughly 5% more affordable than Sao Paulo (index 20 vs 21, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lima
More affordable overall
5% cheaper than Sao Paulo · Cost index: 20 vs 21

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 Index21
621Median Income /mo3,900
45Safety Index50
19Income Tax %27.5
120Internet (Mbps)95
200Coworking /mo350

Price Breakdown

LimaCategorySao Paulo
$702/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
6% ← cheaper
$658/month
$0.95/liter
Meal for One
$0.95/liter
$8/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
10% ← cheaper
$7.2/meal
$25/month
Monthly Transit Pass
44% cheaper →
$45/month
$67/month
Utilities (Monthly)
21% ← cheaper
$53/month
$55/visit
Doctor Visit
15% cheaper →
$65/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Lima

Internet120 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishlow
Communitygrowing
Walkability68/100

Sao Paulo

Internet95 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability72/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lima cheaper than Sao Paulo?

Lima is cheaper than Sao Paulo. Lima has a cost of living index of 20/100 compared to 21/100 for Sao Paulo (New York = 100), making it roughly 5% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lima than Sao Paulo?

Lima is approximately 5% cheaper than Sao Paulo based on cost index scores (20 vs 21, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Sao Paulo could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,842/month in Lima.

What is the rent comparison between Lima and Sao Paulo?

In Lima, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $702/month. In Sao Paulo, the equivalent is around $658/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Lima or Sao Paulo?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Lima offers 120 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$200/month. Sao Paulo offers 95 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Lima has a cost advantage of 5%.

What is the average income in Lima vs Sao Paulo?

The median net monthly salary in Lima is approximately $621 USD, compared to $3,900 USD in Sao Paulo.

Compare Lima with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Lima wins or loses.

Cities that cost about the same as Lima

Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed