Lima vs Arequipa
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Lima leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Arequipa where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Arequipa's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Lima | Arequipa |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 64 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 45 |
| Climate | 100 | 96 |
| Safety | 57 | 58 |
| Summer °C | 22.2 | 12.8 |
| Winter °C | 15.6 | 10.1 |
| Top disaster risk | drought | drought |
Lima vs Arequipa: the short answer
Arequipa comes out ahead on overall livability (65/100), only marginally above Lima (64/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Arequipa is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Lima 40 vs Arequipa 45, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Lima runs warmer in summer (about 22.2°C peak vs 12.8°C in Arequipa), while winter lows sit near 15.6°C in Lima and 10.1°C in Arequipa. On natural-disaster exposure Arequipa is the safer choice (safety 58/100); the dominant modelled hazard is drought for Lima and drought for Arequipa.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Arequipa — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Lima — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Arequipa — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Arequipa — 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 Lima or Arequipa better to live in?
Arequipa scores higher overall — 65 vs 64 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Lima or Arequipa?
Arequipa has the lower cost of living (cost index 45 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Lima or Arequipa?
Lima — summer highs reach about 22.2°C versus 12.8°C in Arequipa.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Lima or Arequipa?
Arequipa (disaster-safety 58/100). Main hazard: drought in Lima, drought in Arequipa.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Lima?
drought is the dominant modelled hazard for Lima on our risk index.
How is the Lima vs Arequipa 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.