Istanbul vs Lima: cost of living for digital nomads
Istanbul, Turkey 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 14% cheaper than Istanbul for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $540 in Lima against $650 in Istanbul.
- Istanbul scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Lima: 80 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Istanbul is mediterranean; Lima is arid.
Istanbul wins 2 of the measured lines; Lima wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Lima?
Lima is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,400/month in Istanbul, roughly 14% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Istanbul or Lima?
Istanbul scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Lima.
Which has faster internet, Istanbul or Lima?
Lima has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Istanbul.
| Line | Istanbul | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $650 | $540 |
| Food | $380 | $340 |
| Transport | $45 | $40 |
| Coworking | $110 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | arid |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Istanbul with
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): Istanbul November 1, 2026, Lima November 4, 2026.