Lima vs Cartagena — side-by-side
Cost of living: Lima vs Cartagena (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Lima buys roughly what $75,000 does in Cartagena (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Adjust income → set household → see a meaningful swing to unlock all three.
Estimated annual swing
+$720/yr
Favoring Lima for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $60/mo in Lima, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still increase your fun budget.
| Category | Lima Lima Province | Cartagena Bolívar | Wallet Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | |||
| Studio rent/mo | $370Best | $390 | A+$20/mo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $500Best | $560 | A+$60/mo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $800Best | $870 | A+$70/mo |
| Median home price | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | |||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $5Best | $5 | Same |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $22 | $16Best | B−$6/mo |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | |||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | |||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $55Best | $70 | A+$15/mo |
| Internet/mo | $25Best | $30 | A+$5/mo |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | |||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Best | 0.0% | Same |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 18.0%Best | 19.0% | A+1.0 pp |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | |||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $25Best | $30 | A+$5/mo |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | |||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 40Best | 40 | Same |
| Walk score / 100 | 62Best | 55 | A-7 |
While you're comparing — don't leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolWhile 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 Cartagena?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lima is $500/month and in Cartagena is $560/month. Lima is cheaper by 11%.
How much do I need to earn in Cartagena to match a $75,000 salary in Lima?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Cartagena 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 Cartagena?
Cartagena has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Cartagena 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 Cartagena?
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 ↔ Cartagena
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