Lima
Lima works for the right person — affordable (~$1,150/mo), but check the tradeoffs below.
Quick answer
Lima, Peru scores 49/100 on the WhereNext city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport). Estimated single-person monthly cost is around $1,150/mo (a central 1-bed runs ~$550/mo). Safety index 45/100; healthcare 52/100; internet 65 Mbps. Top neighborhoods: Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
Key facts
- ~$1,150/mo single-person estimated cost of living · 1-bed center $550/mo.
- Safety: 45/100 has some safety concerns city by composite safety index.
- Healthcare: 52/100 below-average healthcare access.
- Internet: 65 Mbps median fixed broadband download — adequate for remote work.
- Top neighborhoods Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs — researched expat-friendly areas.
City composite
Below peers
- Lima
- 49/100
- Peru avg
- 57/100
- Global avg
- 63/100
Compared against 4 indexed cities in Peru and 380 indexed cities globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension city composite (cost, safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport, air quality) · updated
The short version
How much does it cost?
~$1,150/mo for a single person. A central 1-bed is ~$550/mo. Outside the center: ~$350/mo.
Is it safe?
Safety score: 45/100. Exercise caution — research neighborhoods carefully.
Can I work remotely?
Internet: 65 Mbps avg. Adequate for most remote work. Coworking: ~$120/mo.
What's the climate like?
Climate score: 68/100. Moderate climate with distinct seasons.
The honest take
What's great
- Climate — scored 68/100
- Transport — scored 55/100
- Healthcare — scored 52/100
Watch out for
- Cost of Living — scored 32/100
- Air Quality — scored 42/100
- Safety — scored 45/100
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Lima
Strengths
- Lifestyle68/100
- Infrastructure55/100
- Healthcare52/100
Likely blockers
Cost may stretch typical budgets
Run the free Retirement Budget calculator
Decision Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance. Scores are out of 100, higher is better.
Monthly Reality Check
What things actually cost in Lima. Estimated total: ~$1,150/mo for a single person.
Based on verified local pricing data
1-bed apartment (centre)
$550
1-bed apartment (outside)
$350
Budget meal
$4
Cappuccino
$2.8
Monthly transport pass
$22
Coworking space
$120/mo
Avg internet speed
65 Mbps
Neighborhoods
Where expats and locals actually live in Lima.
Housing reality: Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
Premium Report
Get Real Data for Lima
This city's scores are estimated from national data. A Decision Brief gives you verified local prices, neighborhoods, visa timelines, and a personalized relocation plan — researched specifically for Lima.
Deep Research
Expand any section for detailed data and narrative.
Transport & Getting Around
Transport & Getting Around
Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Monthly transport pass: $22
Peru — Policy & Systems
Peru — Policy & Systems
Visa, tax, healthcare, and education policies are set at the national level. See the Peru country guide for full details.
Language & Expat Community
Language & Expat Community
Official Languages
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
English Proficiency
Low
Foreign-born
4.5%
Expat Level
Medium
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lima a good place to live for expats?
Lima scores 49/100 overall. It is moderately affordable (~$1,150/mo), has some safety concerns, and has a healthcare score of 52/100. Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
What does it cost to live in Lima?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Lima is ~$1,150 for a single person. A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs about $550/mo. Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lima?
The most recommended neighborhoods are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.
How do I get around Lima?
Lima has a transport score of 55/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Continue Your Research
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Lima, Peru City Profile 2026 (2026-05-20). Derived from: Numbeo (city-level cost; verified via WhereNext audit); World Bank ICP (country-level PPP anchor); OECD + Eurostat (where applicable); WhereNext flagship-city research (qualitative + neighborhood depth). Available at https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Lima, Peru City Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Lima, Peru City Profile 2026." WhereNext, 20 May 2026, https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
@misc{wherenext_getwherenext_com_city_pe_lima,
author = {{WhereNext}},
title = {WhereNext Lima, Peru City Profile 2026},
year = {2026},
url = {https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation},
note = {CC BY 4.0}
}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/city/pe/lima?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Lima, Peru City Profile 2026</a>
Next step
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.