Chengdu vs Lima: cost of living for digital nomads
Chengdu, China 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
- Lima is about 3% cheaper than Chengdu for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,240).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Chengdu against $540 in Lima.
- Chengdu scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Chengdu: 200 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Chengdu is temperate; Lima is arid.
Chengdu wins 5 of the measured lines; Lima wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chengdu or Lima?
Lima is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,240/month in Chengdu, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chengdu or Lima?
Chengdu scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Lima.
Which has faster internet, Chengdu or Lima?
Chengdu has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Lima.
| Line | Chengdu | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,240 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $500 | $540 |
| Food | $320 | $340 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $105 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | arid |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | 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): Chengdu September 11, 2026, Lima November 4, 2026.