Side-by-side city decision # Edinburgh vs Arequipa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link EdinburghUnited Kingdom5/6 VS ArequipaPeru1/6 $2,535Edinburgh monthly budget $825Arequipa monthly budget 180 MbpsEdinburgh internet 95 MbpsArequipa internet Decision summary Edinburgh Edinburgh leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Arequipa Speed Fastest internet Edinburgh Vibe Best nomad vibe Edinburgh Safety Highest safety Edinburgh Air Cleanest air Edinburgh Walk Most walkable Edinburgh Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Edinburgh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-kingdom/edinburgh.md) United Kingdom 5/6 Budget$2,535 Internet180 Mbps Vibe9/10 [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru 1/6 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 MetricEdinburghArequipa Total estimated budget $2,535 $825 1-bed center rent $1,650 $410 Coworking desk $310 $130 Local meal $19.5 $3.8 Cappuccino $4.7 $2.4 Gym membership $55 $32 Transport budget $85 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricEdinburghArequipa Internet speed 180 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 9/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricEdinburghArequipa Safety index 72/100 54/100 Air quality 78/100 68/100 Walkability 9/10 8/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 9/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricEdinburghArequipa Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Temperate oceanic High-altitude semi-arid Best time to visit May - Sep 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. [Edinburgh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-kingdom/edinburgh.md) United Kingdom → ### Strengths * Beautiful, highly walkable historic center * Strong café, creative, and technology scene * Fast and reliable home broadband * English-speaking environment with excellent services * Good public transport and easy airport access * Inclusive culture with major year-round festivals ### Trade-offs * One-bedroom rents are high and rising * Cool, wet, and windy weather is common * August accommodation prices surge dramatically * Short winter days can affect mood and routines * UK visitor rules are not a dedicated digital-nomad visa * Older flats can have poor insulation and high heating bills ### Common visa routes * Standard Visitor visa or visa-free visit, generally up to 6 months; remote work rules are limited and should be checked carefully * Global Talent visa for eligible leaders or promising talent in digital technology, academia, arts, or research * Skilled Worker visa through sponsorship from an approved UK employer [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.