Compare countries · Colombia vs Peru
Colombia vs Peru
Colombia(South America)·
Peru(South America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Colombia leads on 6, Peru on 4, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Colombia cheaper than Peru?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Colombia at 31.7 and Peru at 33.5. Colombia is about 5% cheaper overall.
Is Colombia or Peru safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Colombia scores 2.73 and Peru scores 2.12. Peru ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Colombia or Peru?
On the UN Human Development Index, Colombia scores 0.788 and Peru scores 0.794. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Colombia compared to Peru?
GNI per capita runs $7,900 in Colombia against $8,430 in Peru; people live 77.9 years on average against 77.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 57. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
31.7
Better than 75% of countries
Peru
33.5
Better than 73% of countries
Colombia: 5% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
10.9
Better than 71% of countries
Peru
11.3
Better than 67% of countries
Colombia: 4% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Colombia
2.73
Worse than 86% of countries
Peru
2.12
Worse than 66% of countries
Peru: more peaceful (2.12 vs 2.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Colombia
38.7
Worse than 83% of countries
Peru
33.1
Worse than 93% of countries
Colombia: higher perceived safety (38.7 vs 33.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Colombia
0.788
Better than 57% of countries
Peru
0.794
Better than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Colombia
$22,640
Around the global middle
Peru
$18,816
Around the global middle
Colombia: 20% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Colombia
77.9 yrs
Better than 68% of countries
Peru
77.9 yrs
Better than 68% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Colombia
68.9
Better than 66% of countries
Peru
56.9
Worse than 72% of countries
Colombia: better-rated healthcare (68.9 vs 56.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Colombia
210 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
Peru
260 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Peru: 24% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Colombia
52/100
Worse than 57% of countries
Peru
38/100
Worse than 80% of countries
Colombia: freer press (52 vs 38 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Colombia
6.04
Around the global middle
Peru
5.97
Around the global middle
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Colombia
480
Worse than 66% of countries
Peru
519
Around the global middle
Peru: stronger English proficiency (519 vs 480).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Colombia
82.3
Around the global middle
Peru
93.3
Better than 86% of countries
Peru: more pleasant climate rating (93.3 vs 82.3).
Deciding between Colombia and Peru for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Colombia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Peru profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.