Side-by-side city decision # Arequipa vs Leuven. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link ArequipaPeru1/6 VS LeuvenBelgium4/6 $825Arequipa monthly budget $1,925Leuven monthly budget 95 MbpsArequipa internet 170 MbpsLeuven internet Decision summary Leuven Leuven leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Arequipa Speed Fastest internet Leuven Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Leuven Air Cleanest air Leuven Walk Most walkable Leuven Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru 1/6 Budget$825 Internet95 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Leuven](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/leuven.md) Belgium 4/6 Budget$1,925 Internet170 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricArequipaLeuven Total estimated budget $825 $1,925 1-bed center rent $410 $1,180 Coworking desk $130 $260 Local meal $3.8 $19.5 Cappuccino $2.4 $3.9 Gym membership $32 $48 Transport budget $35 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricArequipaLeuven Internet speed 95 Mbps 170 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricArequipaLeuven Safety index 54/100 74/100 Air quality 68/100 75/100 Walkability 8/10 9/10 Female safety 6/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricArequipaLeuven Healthcare quality Good Excellent English proficiency Basic Excellent Climate type High-altitude semi-arid Temperate oceanic Best time to visit Apr - Nov May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru → ### Strengths * Very affordable rents and everyday dining * Sunny, dry climate for much of the year * Beautiful colonial architecture and volcano views * Walkable historic center with strong local character * Good value private healthcare and services * Excellent access to hiking and Colca Canyon trips ### Trade-offs * Cold nights due to the high elevation * Tap water is not safe to drink * English is limited outside tourism businesses * Traffic and driving standards can feel chaotic * Air quality can worsen with dust and vehicle emissions * Smaller remote-work community than Lima or Cusco ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry, typically up to 90 days at immigration discretion * Business visa for qualifying work-related travel * Resident visas through employment, family, study, or investment routes [Leuven](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/leuven.md) Belgium → ### Strengths * Exceptionally walkable and bicycle-friendly historic center * Fast, reliable fiber internet and strong university infrastructure * High English proficiency, especially among students and professionals * Excellent rail links to Brussels, Brussels Airport, Antwerp, and Ghent * Safe, inclusive, and internationally minded atmosphere * Lively café, cultural, and student social scene ### Trade-offs * Housing is expensive and good rentals move quickly * Grey, wet weather is common outside summer * The city can feel quiet when students leave in summer * Restaurant meals, utilities, and socializing are costly * Administrative registration can be slow and document-heavy * Limited dedicated coworking supply compared with Brussels ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free stay: up to 90 days in any 180-day period * Belgian professional card and long-stay visa for eligible self-employed residents * EU/EEA/Swiss freedom of movement with local registration for longer stays Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.