Lima vs Siargao: cost of living for digital nomads
Lima, Peru and Siargao, Philippines, 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 2% cheaper than Siargao for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,220).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Siargao against $540 in Lima.
- Siargao scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Lima: 80 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Lima is arid; Siargao is tropical.
Lima wins 3 of the measured lines; Siargao wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lima or Siargao?
Lima is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,220/month in Siargao, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lima or Siargao?
Siargao scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Lima.
Which has faster internet, Lima or Siargao?
Lima has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Siargao.
| Line | Lima | Siargao |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,220 |
| Rent | $540 | $500 |
| Food | $340 | $330 |
| Transport | $40 | $60 |
| Coworking | $100 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 50 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | island |
| 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): Lima November 4, 2026, Siargao September 10, 2026.