Lima vs Cape Town — side-by-side
Cost of living: Lima vs Cape Town (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Lima buys roughly what $75,000 does in Cape Town (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$14,160/yr
Favoring Lima for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,180/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~13 months and still keep ~$142/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Lima Lima Province | Cape Town Western Cape | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $370Wins | $440 | Lima wins +$70/mo | $840/yr saves in Lima |
| 1BR rent/mo | $500Wins | $600 | Lima wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Lima |
| 2BR rent/mo | $800Wins | $980 | Lima wins +$180/mo | $2,160/yr saves in Lima |
| Median home price | — | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $5Wins | $6 | Lima wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $22Wins | $28 | Lima wins +$6/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $55Wins | $80 | Lima wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Lima |
| Internet/mo | $25Wins | $50 | Lima wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Lima |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 18.0% | Lima wins +18.0 pp | $13,500/yr saves in Lima |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 18.0% | 15.0%Wins | Cape Town wins -3.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $25Wins | $35 | Lima wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 40Better | 40 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 62Better | 58 | Lima wins -4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$13,500/yr tax difference into cash back
Lima fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Lima.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lima vs Cape Town?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lima is $500/month and in Cape Town is $600/month. Lima is cheaper by 17%.
How much do I need to earn in Cape Town to match a $75,000 salary in Lima?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Cape Town to match a $75,000 salary in Lima. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Lima or Cape Town?
Lima has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 18%. Lima has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Lima to Cape Town?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Lima ↔ Cape Town
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