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    Lima vs Manila: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ช

    Lima

    Peru ยท $900/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ

    Manila

    Philippines ยท $800/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Lima, Peru and Manila, Philippines is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Lima and Manila across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Lima earns an overall score of 67.30/100, while Manila scores 64.47/100. A 2.83-point modest gap that Lima leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Lima is described as: "South America's culinary capital. World-class food at rock-bottom prices." Meanwhile, Manila is known as: "Chaotic but English-friendly. Rock-bottom costs and a thriving BPO industry." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Manila

    66

    In economic factors, Lima takes the lead with a score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Lima stands out for daily living costs, entertainment costs, housing costs, though salary levels and job market strength could be improved. Manila performs well in daily living costs and housing costs despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Lima

    51
    / 100

    Manila

    54

    Job Market Strength

    48/ 10054

    Salary Levels

    45/ 10036

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    55/ 10067

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    54/ 10059

    Cost Factors

    Lima

    80
    / 100

    Manila

    82

    Housing Costs

    84/ 10087

    Daily Living Costs

    89/ 10091

    Transportation Costs

    81/ 10086

    Entertainment Costs

    86/ 10087

    Healthcare Costs

    84/ 10081

    Education Costs

    53/ 10063

    Economic Environment

    Lima

    65
    / 100

    Manila

    56

    Tax Rates

    64/ 10061

    Business Regulations

    51/ 10041

    Economic Stability

    71/ 10056

    Currency Stability

    66/ 10049

    Banking System

    74/ 10071

    Quality of Life

    Lima

    58
    / 100

    Manila

    55

    In quality of life, Lima takes the lead with a score of 58/100 compared to 55/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Manila has a solid advantage in healthcare (73 vs 60). Lima has a solid advantage in climate & nature (73 vs 54).

    Lima stands out for climate suitability, healthcare affordability, rainfall patterns, though water quality and crime rates could be improved. Manila performs well in english-speaking medical staff and healthcare affordability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Lima

    60
    / 100

    Manila

    73

    Healthcare Quality

    59/ 10065

    Healthcare Accessibility

    64/ 10069

    Healthcare Affordability

    86/ 10084

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    41/ 10091

    Mental Health Services

    44/ 10049

    Dental Care

    64/ 10077

    Education

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Manila

    64

    School Quality

    49/ 10051

    International Schools

    71/ 10077

    Universities

    76/ 10071

    Language Schools

    79/ 10064

    Vocational Training

    61/ 10057

    Safety & Environment

    Lima

    35
    / 100

    Manila

    35

    Crime Rates

    26/ 10037

    Personal Safety

    31/ 10036

    Political Stability

    56/ 10061

    Natural Disaster Risk

    41/ 10017

    Air Quality

    29/ 10023

    Water Quality

    24/ 10031

    Noise Pollution

    39/ 10037

    Climate & Nature

    Lima

    73
    / 100

    Manila

    54

    Climate Suitability

    91/ 10059

    Sunshine Hours

    37/ 10071

    Rainfall Patterns

    84/ 10041

    Natural Beauty

    82/ 10056

    Green Spaces

    64/ 10041

    Beach/Water Access

    73/ 10051

    Mountains/Hiking

    79/ 10061

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Manila

    59

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Lima takes the lead with a score of 64/100 compared to 59/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Lima has a solid advantage in transportation (60 vs 50).

    Lima stands out for internet cost, public transport affordability, airport distance, though ferry connections and train connections could be improved. Manila performs well in public transport affordability and internet cost despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Lima

    60
    / 100

    Manila

    50

    Public Transport Quality

    69/ 10039

    Public Transport Coverage

    74/ 10061

    Public Transport Affordability

    87/ 10091

    Bike Infrastructure

    39/ 10024

    Walkability

    66/ 10047

    Traffic Congestion

    34/ 10029

    Driving Conditions

    39/ 10031

    Taxi/Rideshare

    79/ 10081

    Car Ownership Necessity

    53/ 10043

    Connectivity

    Lima

    57
    / 100

    Manila

    60

    Airport Connectivity

    84/ 10069

    Airport Distance

    86/ 10078

    Train Connections

    32/ 10034

    Bus Connections

    81/ 10071

    Ferry Connections

    0/ 10049

    Digital Infrastructure

    Lima

    76
    / 100

    Manila

    72

    Internet Speed

    86/ 10077

    Internet Reliability

    79/ 10071

    Internet Cost

    91/ 10087

    Mobile Network Quality

    69/ 10077

    Coworking Spaces

    71/ 10071

    Public WiFi

    59/ 10051

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Manila

    71

    In housing & living spaces, Manila takes the lead with a score of 71/100 compared to 70/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Manila stands out for rental costs, expat/international areas, purchase prices, though landlord regulations and gentrification trends could be improved. Lima performs well in rental costs and expat/international areas despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Manila

    70

    Rental Availability

    76/ 10071

    Rental Costs

    86/ 10086

    Purchase Prices

    44/ 10077

    Housing Quality

    66/ 10064

    Housing Variety

    71/ 10069

    Landlord Regulations

    59/ 10054

    Neighborhoods

    Lima

    74
    / 100

    Manila

    72

    Neighborhood Diversity

    76/ 10071

    Expat/International Areas

    84/ 10081

    Gentrification Trends

    57/ 10057

    Proximity to Amenities

    79/ 10077

    Daily Life & Services

    Lima

    80
    / 100

    Manila

    75

    In daily life & services, Lima takes the lead with a score of 80/100 compared to 75/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Lima has a solid advantage in utilities & connectivity (77 vs 66).

    Lima stands out for restaurant variety, street food, local markets, though postal services and waste management could be improved. Manila performs well in restaurant affordability and street food despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Lima

    79
    / 100

    Manila

    80

    Supermarket Availability

    86/ 10081

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    79/ 10087

    Shopping Mall Quality

    74/ 10081

    International Brands

    79/ 10077

    Local Markets

    91/ 10084

    Opening Hours

    71/ 10074

    E-commerce

    74/ 10077

    Food & Dining

    Lima

    87
    / 100

    Manila

    81

    Restaurant Variety

    94/ 10087

    Restaurant Quality

    91/ 10071

    Restaurant Affordability

    89/ 10091

    Cafรฉ Culture

    79/ 10067

    Street Food

    93/ 10091

    Alcohol Availability

    79/ 10071

    Food Delivery

    86/ 10087

    Essential Services

    Lima

    76
    / 100

    Manila

    70

    Pharmacy Density

    89/ 10081

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    86/ 10061

    Medicine Availability

    79/ 10077

    Postal Services

    54/ 10051

    Banking Services

    81/ 10077

    Laundry Services

    74/ 10074

    Repair Services

    69/ 10067

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    84/ 10084

    Pet Services

    69/ 10061

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Lima

    77
    / 100

    Manila

    66

    Electricity Reliability

    86/ 10061

    Water Reliability

    69/ 10067

    Utility Costs

    84/ 10087

    Heating/Cooling

    84/ 10064

    Waste Management

    64/ 10051

    Cultural & Social Life

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Manila

    67

    In cultural & social life, Lima takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 67/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Lima has a solid advantage in culture & entertainment (77 vs 63). Manila has a solid advantage in community (77 vs 64).

    Lima stands out for historical sites, museums & galleries, sports culture, though nightlife safety and language barriers could be improved. Manila performs well in local friendliness and language barriers despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Lima

    77
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    Museums & Galleries

    86/ 10057

    Historical Sites

    89/ 10074

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    71/ 10061

    Music Scene

    76/ 10067

    Cinema Options

    74/ 10074

    Libraries

    69/ 10054

    Art Scene

    74/ 10057

    Social Life

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    Nightlife Quality

    79/ 10067

    Nightlife Safety

    36/ 10044

    Festival Calendar

    81/ 10074

    Sports Culture

    84/ 10067

    Social Clubs

    66/ 10064

    Dating Scene

    71/ 10067

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    49/ 10057

    Community

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Manila

    77

    Local Friendliness

    81/ 10087

    Expat Community Size

    64/ 10077

    Expat Integration

    59/ 10071

    Language Barriers

    36/ 10081

    Cultural Events

    81/ 10071

    Professional & Career

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Manila

    64

    In professional & career, Lima takes the lead with a score of 66/100 compared to 64/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Lima stands out for internet for work, time zone, major companies, though startup ecosystem and freelance market could be improved. Manila performs well in internet for work and coworking culture despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Manila

    65

    Industry Clusters

    64/ 10064

    Major Companies

    69/ 10061

    Startup Ecosystem

    54/ 10061

    Coworking Culture

    69/ 10074

    Professional Networking

    66/ 10067

    Business Associations

    64/ 10061

    Work Environment

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Manila

    65

    Work-Life Balance

    61/ 10044

    Remote Work Acceptance

    69/ 10067

    Internet for Work

    86/ 10077

    Time Zone

    76/ 10071

    Business Visa Options

    69/ 10067

    Market Opportunities

    Lima

    58
    / 100

    Manila

    58

    Client Base

    59/ 10061

    Freelance Market

    56/ 10067

    Competition Level

    59/ 10047

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Manila

    62

    In lifestyle & pace, Lima takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Lima has a solid advantage in lifestyle options (72 vs 60).

    Lima stands out for authenticity, outdoor lifestyle, tourism seasonality, though crowding and health consciousness could be improved. Manila performs well in shop opening hours and family orientation despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    Pace of Life

    66/ 10047

    Working Hours Culture

    64/ 10051

    Dining Hours

    79/ 10071

    Shop Opening Hours

    71/ 10077

    Weekend Culture

    76/ 10071

    Lifestyle Options

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Manila

    60

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    81/ 10051

    Fitness Culture

    69/ 10061

    Health Consciousness

    59/ 10054

    Pet Friendliness

    74/ 10057

    Family Orientation

    79/ 10077

    Tourism Impact

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    Tourist Volume

    61/ 10064

    Tourism Seasonality

    81/ 10071

    Tourist Infrastructure

    76/ 10067

    Authenticity

    86/ 10074

    Crowding

    56/ 10041

    Legal & Administrative

    Lima

    63
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    In legal & administrative, Lima takes the lead with a score of 63/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Lima stands out for visa requirements, religious freedom, residency options, though bureaucracy level and language requirements could be improved. Manila performs well in language requirements and visa requirements despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Manila

    64

    Visa Requirements

    84/ 10081

    Residency Options

    79/ 10071

    Residency Process

    54/ 10051

    Citizenship Pathway

    59/ 10041

    Deportation Risk

    79/ 10074

    Administration

    Lima

    51
    / 100

    Manila

    59

    Bureaucracy Level

    36/ 10037

    Digital Government

    54/ 10054

    Document Requirements

    61/ 10061

    Language Requirements

    39/ 10084

    Legal System

    64/ 10057

    Rights & Freedoms

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Manila

    66

    Freedom of Speech

    71/ 10061

    Religious Freedom

    84/ 10081

    Women's Rights

    69/ 10071

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    46/ 10057

    Worker Rights

    64/ 10061

    Family & Children

    Lima

    68
    / 100

    Manila

    67

    In family & children, Lima takes the lead with a score of 68/100 compared to 67/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Lima stands out for family housing, playgrounds, kid activities, though child safety and baby/toddler facilities could be improved. Manila performs well in childcare costs and pediatric care despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Manila

    62

    Playgrounds

    71/ 10061

    Kid Activities

    71/ 10067

    Child Safety

    51/ 10051

    Pediatric Care

    69/ 10071

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    66/ 10061

    Family Services

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Manila

    71

    Childcare Availability

    66/ 10071

    Childcare Costs

    69/ 10084

    School Holidays

    71/ 10064

    Extracurricular Activities

    71/ 10067

    Family Housing

    74/ 10071

    Practical Considerations

    Lima

    65
    / 100

    Manila

    62

    In practical considerations, Lima takes the lead with a score of 65/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Lima has a solid advantage in emergency services (68 vs 57).

    Lima stands out for gas station density, international calling, emergency numbers, though ev infrastructure and vehicle costs could be improved. Manila performs well in gas station density and international calling despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Lima

    56
    / 100

    Manila

    60

    Fuel Prices

    61/ 10067

    Gas Station Density

    84/ 10081

    EV Infrastructure

    26/ 10041

    Vehicle Costs

    44/ 10044

    Vehicle Maintenance

    64/ 10067

    Special Services

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Manila

    66

    Moving Services

    71/ 10064

    Storage Facilities

    64/ 10057

    Translation Services

    74/ 10074

    Legal Services

    71/ 10067

    Accounting Services

    71/ 10067

    Communication

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Manila

    67

    Postal Reliability

    51/ 10054

    Package Import

    54/ 10057

    Language Learning

    76/ 10074

    International Calling

    81/ 10081

    Emergency Services

    Lima

    68
    / 100

    Manila

    57

    Emergency Response

    56/ 10051

    Emergency Healthcare

    71/ 10067

    Emergency Numbers

    81/ 10074

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    64/ 10037

    Specific to Your Profile

    Lima

    63
    / 100

    Manila

    65

    In specific to your profile, Manila takes the lead with a score of 65/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Manila stands out for language skills, video call quality, dietary requirements, though pet import rules and partner citizenship advantages could be improved. Lima performs well in cafรฉ laptop culture and video call quality despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Manila

    70

    Time Zone Alignment

    74/ 10067

    Coworking Day Passes

    69/ 10071

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    81/ 10071

    Video Call Quality

    81/ 10077

    Tech Ecosystem

    51/ 10064

    Personal Circumstances

    Lima

    57
    / 100

    Manila

    63

    Citizenship Advantages

    39/ 10054

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    50/ 10050

    Industry Presence

    54/ 10059

    Language Skills

    39/ 10084

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    66/ 10069

    Dietary Requirements

    76/ 10074

    Hobby Availability

    71/ 10067

    Pet Import Rules

    64/ 10044

    The Verdict: Lima or Manila?

    With an overall score of 67.30/100 versus 64.47/100, Lima leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Lima excels in economic factors, quality of life, infrastructure & connectivity. Manila leads in housing & living spaces, specific to your profile.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Lima vs Manila Live