Lima vs San Salvador: cost of living for digital nomads
Lima, Peru and San Salvador, El Salvador, 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
- San Salvador is about 3% cheaper than Lima for a month of nomad living ($1,170 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in San Salvador against $540 in Lima.
- Lima scores higher on safety (6/10 vs 5/10).
- Internet is faster in San Salvador: 90 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Lima is arid; San Salvador is tropical.
Lima wins 2 of the measured lines; San Salvador wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lima or San Salvador?
San Salvador is cheaper: about $1,170/month against $1,200/month in Lima, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lima or San Salvador?
Lima scores higher on safety: 6/10 against 5/10 for San Salvador.
Which has faster internet, Lima or San Salvador?
San Salvador has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Lima.
| Line | Lima | San Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,170 |
| Rent | $540 | $450 |
| Food | $340 | $330 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 90 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
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): Lima November 4, 2026, San Salvador September 11, 2026.