Side-by-side city decision # San Sebastián vs Lima. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link San SebastiánSpain4/6 VS LimaPeru1/6 $2,295San Sebastián monthly budget $1,345Lima monthly budget 310 MbpsSan Sebastián internet 180 MbpsLima internet Decision summary San Sebastián San Sebastián leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Lima Speed Fastest internet San Sebastián Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety San Sebastián Air Cleanest air San Sebastián Walk Most walkable San Sebastián Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain 4/6 Budget$2,295 Internet310 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Lima](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/lima.md) Peru 1/6 Budget$1,345 Internet180 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 MetricSan SebastiánLima Total estimated budget $2,295 $1,345 1-bed center rent $1,500 $750 Coworking desk $250 $190 Local meal $17.5 $4.5 Cappuccino $2.4 $3.2 Gym membership $55 $45 Transport budget $35 $55 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSan SebastiánLima Internet speed 310 Mbps 180 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSan SebastiánLima Safety index 82/100 46/100 Air quality 88/100 58/100 Walkability 9/10 7/10 Female safety 9/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 9/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSan SebastiánLima Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Average Climate type Oceanic Subtropical desert Best time to visit Jun - Sep Dec - Apr 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. [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Exceptional pintxos culture and high-quality local food * Very safe, compact, and highly walkable central districts * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Excellent public healthcare and private medical options * Beautiful beaches, coastal paths, and nearby mountain hikes * Progressive, welcoming atmosphere with strong quality of life ### Trade-offs * Rent is among the highest in Spain, especially near the beach * Wet weather is common throughout the year * Summer brings crowds, festival noise, and scarce short-term rentals * Coworking choice is smaller than in Barcelona or Madrid * Local social circles can take time to enter * Basque and Spanish are more useful than English outside tourist areas ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa exemption or Schengen Visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa [Lima](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/lima.md) Peru → ### Strengths * Excellent food scene ranging from market lunches to world-class restaurants * Affordable lifestyle compared with many major Latin American capitals * Large choice of furnished apartments in Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro * Reliable fiber internet and an expanding coworking scene * Mild temperatures with almost no rain for much of the year * Strong access to coastal walks, surfing, museums, and weekend trips ### Trade-offs * Traffic congestion can make cross-city journeys exhausting * Winter is often gray, damp, and persistently overcast * Tap water is not recommended for drinking * Petty theft and phone snatching require consistent caution * Air quality is affected by traffic and coastal haze * English is limited outside tourist-focused districts ### Common visa routes * Visa-free tourist entry for many nationalities, commonly up to 90 days * Temporary resident visa through work, family, study, or investment routes * Business visa for eligible short-term commercial activities 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.