Lima vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra
It's a near-perfect tie across all 7 criteria.
Summary
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra are close to a statistical tie overall (5.7 vs 5.7), each winning 3 of 7 criteria. The right choice here comes down entirely to which specific factors matter most to you, not the aggregate score.
Quick answers
Safety: Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra tie on this (5/10 each).
Climate: Santa Cruz de la Sierra (7/10 vs 6/10).
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra are essentially tied overall (5.7/10 vs 5.7/10).
Cost of living: Santa Cruz de la Sierra (8/10 vs 7/10).
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra are a close call for families based on safety, healthcare and environment.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Public transport: slightly better than Santa Cruz de la Sierra (5.0 vs 4.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Santa Cruz de la Sierra (6.0 vs 5.0)
- +Internet & connectivity: slightly better than Santa Cruz de la Sierra (7.0 vs 6.0)
- +Cost of living: slightly better than Lima (8.0 vs 7.0)
- +Environment & air quality: slightly better than Lima (5.0 vs 4.0)
- +Climate: slightly better than Lima (7.0 vs 6.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra scores higher once we weight toward movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor (5.9 vs 6.1 for Lima vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra), driven largely by cost of living.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra scores higher once we weight toward retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed (5.6 vs 5.8 for Lima vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra), driven largely by climate.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Lima scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (5.7 vs 5.5 for Lima vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra), driven largely by safety.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Lima and Santa Cruz de la Sierra score within a rounding error of each other for early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Which city should you choose?
Pick Lima if you're a expat — Pick Santa Cruz de la Sierra instead if you're more of a budget-conscious mover or retiree.