Cusco vs Iquitos
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Cusco leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Iquitos where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Iquitos's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Cusco | Iquitos |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 66 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 47 | 47 |
| Climate | 92 | 87 |
| Safety | 63 | 63 |
| Summer °C | 10.8 | 26.6 |
| Winter °C | 6.8 | 25.3 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | flooding |
Cusco vs Iquitos: the short answer
Cusco comes out ahead on overall livability (66/100), only marginally above Iquitos (65/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Iquitos is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Cusco 47 vs Iquitos 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Iquitos runs warmer in summer (about 26.6°C peak vs 10.8°C in Cusco), while winter lows sit near 6.8°C in Cusco and 25.3°C in Iquitos. On natural-disaster exposure Iquitos is the safer choice (safety 63/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Cusco and flooding for Iquitos.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Iquitos — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Iquitos — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Iquitos — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Cusco — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Cusco or Iquitos better to live in?
Cusco scores higher overall — 66 vs 65 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Cusco or Iquitos?
Iquitos has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 47; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Cusco or Iquitos?
Iquitos — summer highs reach about 26.6°C versus 10.8°C in Cusco.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Cusco or Iquitos?
Iquitos (disaster-safety 63/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Cusco, flooding in Iquitos.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Cusco?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Cusco on our risk index.
How is the Cusco vs Iquitos comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.