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    Lima vs Phuket: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ช

    Lima

    Peru ยท $900/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ

    Phuket

    Thailand ยท $1,200/mo for a single person

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Lima, Peru and Phuket, Thailand 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 Phuket 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 Phuket scores 62.90/100. A 4.40-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, Phuket is known as: "Tropical island hub with fast internet, beach lifestyle, and a thriving expat scene year-round." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Phuket

    58

    In economic factors, Lima takes the lead with a score of 67/100 compared to 58/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Lima has a commanding lead in cost factors (80 vs 60).

    Lima stands out for daily living costs, entertainment costs, housing costs, though salary levels and job market strength could be improved. Phuket performs well in freelance/remote work market and tax rates despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Lima

    51
    / 100

    Phuket

    53

    Job Market Strength

    48/ 10042

    Salary Levels

    45/ 10038

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    55/ 10078

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    54/ 10054

    Cost Factors

    Lima

    80
    / 100

    Phuket

    60

    Housing Costs

    84/ 10062

    Daily Living Costs

    89/ 10068

    Transportation Costs

    81/ 10045

    Entertainment Costs

    86/ 10058

    Healthcare Costs

    84/ 10074

    Education Costs

    53/ 10055

    Economic Environment

    Lima

    65
    / 100

    Phuket

    58

    Tax Rates

    64/ 10076

    Business Regulations

    51/ 10041

    Economic Stability

    71/ 10052

    Currency Stability

    66/ 10058

    Banking System

    74/ 10064

    Quality of Life

    Lima

    58
    / 100

    Phuket

    65

    In quality of life, Phuket takes the lead with a score of 65/100 compared to 58/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Phuket has a solid advantage in healthcare (74 vs 60). Phuket has a commanding lead in safety & environment (55 vs 35).

    Phuket stands out for beach/water access, natural beauty, dental care, though universities and mental health services could be improved. Lima performs well in climate suitability and healthcare affordability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Lima

    60
    / 100

    Phuket

    74

    Healthcare Quality

    59/ 10079

    Healthcare Accessibility

    64/ 10082

    Healthcare Affordability

    86/ 10071

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    41/ 10088

    Mental Health Services

    44/ 10032

    Dental Care

    64/ 10091

    Education

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Phuket

    59

    School Quality

    49/ 10064

    International Schools

    71/ 10083

    Universities

    76/ 10031

    Language Schools

    79/ 10074

    Vocational Training

    61/ 10042

    Safety & Environment

    Lima

    35
    / 100

    Phuket

    55

    Crime Rates

    26/ 10061

    Personal Safety

    31/ 10072

    Political Stability

    56/ 10044

    Natural Disaster Risk

    41/ 10055

    Air Quality

    29/ 10067

    Water Quality

    24/ 10048

    Noise Pollution

    39/ 10041

    Climate & Nature

    Lima

    73
    / 100

    Phuket

    71

    Climate Suitability

    91/ 10072

    Sunshine Hours

    37/ 10079

    Rainfall Patterns

    84/ 10042

    Natural Beauty

    82/ 10094

    Green Spaces

    64/ 10058

    Beach/Water Access

    73/ 10096

    Mountains/Hiking

    79/ 10053

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Phuket

    54

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Lima takes the lead with a score of 64/100 compared to 54/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Lima has a commanding lead in transportation (60 vs 36).

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

    Transportation

    Lima

    60
    / 100

    Phuket

    36

    Public Transport Quality

    69/ 10018

    Public Transport Coverage

    74/ 10014

    Public Transport Affordability

    87/ 10025

    Bike Infrastructure

    39/ 10011

    Walkability

    66/ 10019

    Traffic Congestion

    34/ 10032

    Driving Conditions

    39/ 10044

    Taxi/Rideshare

    79/ 10068

    Car Ownership Necessity

    53/ 10089

    Connectivity

    Lima

    57
    / 100

    Phuket

    60

    Airport Connectivity

    84/ 10084

    Airport Distance

    86/ 10076

    Train Connections

    32/ 1000

    Bus Connections

    81/ 10054

    Ferry Connections

    0/ 10088

    Digital Infrastructure

    Lima

    76
    / 100

    Phuket

    76

    Internet Speed

    86/ 10082

    Internet Reliability

    79/ 10079

    Internet Cost

    91/ 10086

    Mobile Network Quality

    69/ 10084

    Coworking Spaces

    71/ 10075

    Public WiFi

    59/ 10051

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Phuket

    68

    In housing & living spaces, Lima takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 68/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

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

    Housing Market

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Phuket

    61

    Rental Availability

    76/ 10072

    Rental Costs

    86/ 10058

    Purchase Prices

    44/ 10052

    Housing Quality

    66/ 10071

    Housing Variety

    71/ 10078

    Landlord Regulations

    59/ 10034

    Neighborhoods

    Lima

    74
    / 100

    Phuket

    78

    Neighborhood Diversity

    76/ 10064

    Expat/International Areas

    84/ 10092

    Gentrification Trends

    57/ 10076

    Proximity to Amenities

    79/ 10081

    Daily Life & Services

    Lima

    80
    / 100

    Phuket

    80

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

    Lima has a solid advantage in utilities & connectivity (77 vs 67).

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

    Shopping & Retail

    Lima

    79
    / 100

    Phuket

    82

    Supermarket Availability

    86/ 10087

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    79/ 10079

    Shopping Mall Quality

    74/ 10084

    International Brands

    79/ 10076

    Local Markets

    91/ 10091

    Opening Hours

    71/ 10088

    E-commerce

    74/ 10072

    Food & Dining

    Lima

    87
    / 100

    Phuket

    86

    Restaurant Variety

    94/ 10089

    Restaurant Quality

    91/ 10086

    Restaurant Affordability

    89/ 10074

    Cafรฉ Culture

    79/ 10082

    Street Food

    93/ 10094

    Alcohol Availability

    79/ 10092

    Food Delivery

    86/ 10085

    Essential Services

    Lima

    76
    / 100

    Phuket

    79

    Pharmacy Density

    89/ 10093

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    86/ 10076

    Medicine Availability

    79/ 10081

    Postal Services

    54/ 10062

    Banking Services

    81/ 10078

    Laundry Services

    74/ 10095

    Repair Services

    69/ 10068

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    84/ 10087

    Pet Services

    69/ 10073

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Lima

    77
    / 100

    Phuket

    67

    Electricity Reliability

    86/ 10072

    Water Reliability

    69/ 10059

    Utility Costs

    84/ 10074

    Heating/Cooling

    84/ 10085

    Waste Management

    64/ 10047

    Cultural & Social Life

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Phuket

    66

    In cultural & social life, Lima takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Lima has a commanding lead in culture & entertainment (77 vs 49). Phuket has a solid advantage in social life (78 vs 67).

    Lima stands out for historical sites, museums & galleries, sports culture, though nightlife safety and language barriers could be improved. Phuket performs well in nightlife quality and expat community size despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Lima

    77
    / 100

    Phuket

    49

    Museums & Galleries

    86/ 10038

    Historical Sites

    89/ 10062

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    71/ 10041

    Music Scene

    76/ 10058

    Cinema Options

    74/ 10072

    Libraries

    69/ 10024

    Art Scene

    74/ 10049

    Social Life

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Phuket

    78

    Nightlife Quality

    79/ 10095

    Nightlife Safety

    36/ 10064

    Festival Calendar

    81/ 10076

    Sports Culture

    84/ 10078

    Social Clubs

    66/ 10061

    Dating Scene

    71/ 10083

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    49/ 10089

    Community

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Phuket

    73

    Local Friendliness

    81/ 10084

    Expat Community Size

    64/ 10091

    Expat Integration

    59/ 10058

    Language Barriers

    36/ 10062

    Cultural Events

    81/ 10068

    Professional & Career

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Phuket

    54

    In professional & career, Lima takes the lead with a score of 66/100 compared to 54/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Lima has a solid advantage in business environment (64 vs 45).

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

    Business Environment

    Lima

    64
    / 100

    Phuket

    45

    Industry Clusters

    64/ 10029

    Major Companies

    69/ 10021

    Startup Ecosystem

    54/ 10044

    Coworking Culture

    69/ 10076

    Professional Networking

    66/ 10058

    Business Associations

    64/ 10042

    Work Environment

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Phuket

    65

    Work-Life Balance

    61/ 10074

    Remote Work Acceptance

    69/ 10065

    Internet for Work

    86/ 10088

    Time Zone

    76/ 10052

    Business Visa Options

    69/ 10048

    Market Opportunities

    Lima

    58
    / 100

    Phuket

    51

    Client Base

    59/ 10036

    Freelance Market

    56/ 10062

    Competition Level

    59/ 10055

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Phuket

    63

    In lifestyle & pace, Lima takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Phuket has a solid advantage in daily rhythm (81 vs 71). Lima has a commanding lead in tourism impact (72 vs 36).

    Lima stands out for authenticity, outdoor lifestyle, tourism seasonality, though crowding and health consciousness could be improved. Phuket performs well in tourist infrastructure and dining hours despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Phuket

    81

    Pace of Life

    66/ 10078

    Working Hours Culture

    64/ 10061

    Dining Hours

    79/ 10094

    Shop Opening Hours

    71/ 10089

    Weekend Culture

    76/ 10082

    Lifestyle Options

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Phuket

    73

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    81/ 10093

    Fitness Culture

    69/ 10079

    Health Consciousness

    59/ 10068

    Pet Friendliness

    74/ 10054

    Family Orientation

    79/ 10071

    Tourism Impact

    Lima

    72
    / 100

    Phuket

    36

    Tourist Volume

    61/ 10012

    Tourism Seasonality

    81/ 10018

    Tourist Infrastructure

    76/ 10095

    Authenticity

    86/ 10042

    Crowding

    56/ 10014

    Legal & Administrative

    Lima

    63
    / 100

    Phuket

    47

    In legal & administrative, Lima takes the lead with a score of 63/100 compared to 47/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Lima has a commanding lead in visa & residency (71 vs 42). Lima has a solid advantage in administration (51 vs 34).

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

    Visa & Residency

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Phuket

    42

    Visa Requirements

    84/ 10038

    Residency Options

    79/ 10046

    Residency Process

    54/ 10034

    Citizenship Pathway

    59/ 10012

    Deportation Risk

    79/ 10078

    Administration

    Lima

    51
    / 100

    Phuket

    34

    Bureaucracy Level

    36/ 10022

    Digital Government

    54/ 10045

    Document Requirements

    61/ 10028

    Language Requirements

    39/ 10034

    Legal System

    64/ 10039

    Rights & Freedoms

    Lima

    67
    / 100

    Phuket

    64

    Freedom of Speech

    71/ 10035

    Religious Freedom

    84/ 10082

    Women's Rights

    69/ 10078

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    46/ 10085

    Worker Rights

    64/ 10042

    Family & Children

    Lima

    68
    / 100

    Phuket

    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. Phuket performs well in kid activities and family housing despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Phuket

    65

    Playgrounds

    71/ 10044

    Kid Activities

    71/ 10082

    Child Safety

    51/ 10074

    Pediatric Care

    69/ 10076

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    66/ 10049

    Family Services

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Phuket

    69

    Childcare Availability

    66/ 10064

    Childcare Costs

    69/ 10078

    School Holidays

    71/ 10050

    Extracurricular Activities

    71/ 10072

    Family Housing

    74/ 10079

    Practical Considerations

    Lima

    65
    / 100

    Phuket

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

    Transportation Costs

    Lima

    56
    / 100

    Phuket

    61

    Fuel Prices

    61/ 10068

    Gas Station Density

    84/ 10082

    EV Infrastructure

    26/ 10031

    Vehicle Costs

    44/ 10044

    Vehicle Maintenance

    64/ 10081

    Special Services

    Lima

    70
    / 100

    Phuket

    63

    Moving Services

    71/ 10062

    Storage Facilities

    64/ 10054

    Translation Services

    74/ 10078

    Legal Services

    71/ 10059

    Accounting Services

    71/ 10061

    Communication

    Lima

    66
    / 100

    Phuket

    63

    Postal Reliability

    51/ 10052

    Package Import

    54/ 10038

    Language Learning

    76/ 10072

    International Calling

    81/ 10088

    Emergency Services

    Lima

    68
    / 100

    Phuket

    61

    Emergency Response

    56/ 10049

    Emergency Healthcare

    71/ 10074

    Emergency Numbers

    81/ 10068

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    64/ 10053

    Specific to Your Profile

    Lima

    63
    / 100

    Phuket

    62

    In specific to your profile, Lima takes the lead with a score of 63/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Lima stands out for cafรฉ laptop culture, video call quality, dietary requirements, though citizenship advantages and language skills could be improved. Phuket performs well in cafรฉ laptop culture and hobby availability despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Lima

    71
    / 100

    Phuket

    67

    Time Zone Alignment

    74/ 10044

    Coworking Day Passes

    69/ 10084

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    81/ 10089

    Video Call Quality

    81/ 10082

    Tech Ecosystem

    51/ 10038

    Personal Circumstances

    Lima

    57
    / 100

    Phuket

    58

    Citizenship Advantages

    39/ 10050

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    50/ 10050

    Industry Presence

    54/ 10042

    Language Skills

    39/ 10048

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    66/ 10072

    Dietary Requirements

    76/ 10085

    Hobby Availability

    71/ 10088

    Pet Import Rules

    64/ 10031

    The Verdict: Lima or Phuket?

    With an overall score of 67.30/100 versus 62.90/100, Lima leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Lima excels in economic factors, infrastructure & connectivity, housing & living spaces. Phuket leads in quality of life.

    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.

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