Side-by-side city decision # Chicago vs Arequipa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link ChicagoUnited States2/6 VS ArequipaPeru2/6 $3,275Chicago monthly budget $825Arequipa monthly budget 260 MbpsChicago internet 95 MbpsArequipa internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Arequipa Speed Fastest internet Chicago Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Arequipa Air Cleanest air Chicago Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Chicago](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/chicago.md) United States 2/6 Budget$3,275 Internet260 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru 2/6 Budget$825 Internet95 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 MetricChicagoArequipa Total estimated budget $3,275 $825 1-bed center rent $2,200 $410 Coworking desk $450 $130 Local meal $22 $3.8 Cappuccino $5.5 $2.4 Gym membership $75 $32 Transport budget $75 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricChicagoArequipa Internet speed 260 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricChicagoArequipa Safety index 48/100 54/100 Air quality 72/100 68/100 Walkability 8/10 8/10 Female safety 6/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 9/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricChicagoArequipa Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Humid continental High-altitude semi-arid Best time to visit May - Oct Apr - Nov 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. [Chicago](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/chicago.md) United States → ### Strengths * Fast, reliable internet and extensive coworking options * Excellent public transit and highly walkable central neighborhoods * World-class food, music, museums, and architecture * Large international, startup, and remote-worker community * Strong healthcare and major airport connections * Inclusive LGBTQ+ scene and diverse neighborhoods ### Trade-offs * High rent, taxes, and everyday costs * Long, cold, windy winters * Safety varies sharply by neighborhood * Traffic and rush-hour trains can be crowded * US visitor status generally does not authorize local employment * Healthcare is expensive without suitable insurance ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA * B-2 visitor visa * H-1B or employer-sponsored work visa [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 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.