Lima vs Santiago: cost of living for digital nomads
Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile, 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 33% cheaper than Santiago for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $540 in Lima against $850 in Santiago.
- Santiago scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Santiago: 200 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Lima is arid; Santiago is mediterranean.
Lima wins 5 of the measured lines; Santiago wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lima or Santiago?
Lima is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,800/month in Santiago, roughly 33% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lima or Santiago?
Santiago scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Lima.
Which has faster internet, Lima or Santiago?
Santiago has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Lima.
| Line | Lima | Santiago |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $540 | $850 |
| Food | $340 | $460 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 200 |
| Climate | arid | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Santiago 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): Lima November 4, 2026, Santiago November 5, 2026.