Is Almaty or Arequipa cheaper to live in?

Arequipa is 42% cheaper than Almaty. The average monthly cost in Arequipa is $694, while Almaty costs $1,186 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Almaty or Arequipa?

For digital nomads, Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps. Arequipa is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Arequipa scores 7/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Arequipa?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $352/month in Arequipa. Arequipa has 53% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Arequipa safer?

Arequipa has a higher safety score of 5.7/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Arequipa scores 5.7/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Arequipa as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Arequipa if budget is important ($694/month). Choose Arequipa for better safety. Almaty is better for remote work with 140 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Arequipa

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Arequipa

Peru

$694/mo7/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Arequipa

Peru

$694/moNomadIQ 7/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Arequipa

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$694

Arequipa

Rent (1BR)

$747

$352

Arequipa

Groceries

$300

$205

Arequipa

Transport

$35

$38

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$75

Arequipa

Safety Score

4.7/10

5.7/10

Arequipa

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

70 Mbps

Almaty

NomadIQ Score

7/10

Tie

Overall Winner: Arequipa

Based on our comparison, Arequipa wins 5 out of 8 categories.Almaty wins 2 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Almaty and Arequipa, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Arequipa

$694/mo

Best Internet

Almaty

140 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Arequipa

7/10

Our Recommendation: Arequipa is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Arequipa

When comparing Almaty and Arequipa for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Arequipa is the more budget-friendly option at $694/month versus Almaty's $1,186/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Almaty leads with 140 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Arequipa offers 70 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 5.7/10, Arequipa offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

Overall: Both cities score similarly on our NomadIQ scale at 7/10.

Cost of Living Comparison

Arequipa is 42% cheaper than Almaty.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Arequipa rent: $352/mo
• Difference: $395/mo

Safety Comparison

Arequipa has a higher safety score (5.7/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

5.7/10

Arequipa

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps vs 70 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

70 Mbps

Arequipa

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Arequipa edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Arequipa: Best for budget-conscious expats

Almaty vs Arequipa

Almaty

Arequipa

Almaty

Arequipa

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Arequipa

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Arequipa

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Arequipa