Cebu vs Lima: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines and Lima, Peru, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Cebu is about 8% cheaper than Lima for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Cebu against $540 in Lima.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Cebu is tropical; Lima is arid.
Cebu wins 3 of the measured lines; Lima wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Lima?
Cebu is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,200/month in Lima, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Lima?
Cebu and Lima score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Lima?
Cebu and Lima have about the same typical internet speed, 80 Mbps.
| Line | Cebu | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $450 | $540 |
| Food | $300 | $340 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | arid |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Cebu November 4, 2026, Lima November 4, 2026.