Cost of Living in Arequipa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Arequipa
Address: Arequipa, PE

30.92

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $440 (excluding rent), and $640 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,056 (excluding rent), and $1,473 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.19 PEN 15.13

$2.79 PEN 10.09

$6.97 PEN 25.18

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.24 PEN 98.4

$15.25 PEN 55.1

$32.69 PEN 118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.48 PEN 19.79

$7.94 PEN 28.68

Cappuccino

$2.49 PEN 8.99

$1.88 PEN 6.81

$3.51 PEN 12.67

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 PEN 2.93

$0.58 PEN 2.08

$1 PEN 3.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 PEN 1.42

$0.29 PEN 1.05

$1.44 PEN 5.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.17 PEN 7.84

$1.08 PEN 3.92

$4.89 PEN 17.65

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.94 PEN 21.44

$2.21 PEN 7.97

$6.9 PEN 24.93

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 PEN 5.71

$0.69 PEN 2.51

$2.23 PEN 8.07

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 PEN 4.58

$0.57 PEN 2.05

$2.54 PEN 9.16

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 PEN 4.57

$0.98 PEN 3.55

$1.69 PEN 6.11

Eggs

$2.09 PEN 7.54

$1.42 PEN 5.14

$2.64 PEN 9.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.34 PEN 19.27

$3.53 PEN 12.74

$5.97 PEN 21.57

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.46 PEN 19.74

$4 PEN 14.46

$8.01 PEN 28.92

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.44 PEN 26.86

$4.09 PEN 14.76

$9.52 PEN 34.4

Apples (1kg)

$1.52 PEN 5.48

$0.85 PEN 3.07

$2.28 PEN 8.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 PEN 4.27

$0.82 PEN 2.95

$1.64 PEN 5.94

Oranges (1kg)

$1.22 PEN 4.42

$1.13 PEN 4.09

$1.42 PEN 5.12

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 PEN 2.74

$0.54 PEN 1.94

$1.06 PEN 3.85

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 PEN 1.99

$0.54 PEN 1.96

$0.59 PEN 2.13

Onion (1kg)

$0.54 PEN 1.96

$0.27 PEN 0.98

$0.81 PEN 2.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 PEN 1.61

$0.41 PEN 1.47

$0.54 PEN 1.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.7 PEN 2.55

$0.4 PEN 1.44

$0.79 PEN 2.86

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.07 PEN 18.3

$4.99 PEN 18.04

$5.14 PEN 18.56

Wine (Bottle)

$4.75 PEN 17.17

$4.2 PEN 15.17

$6.99 PEN 25.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 PEN 8.86

$1.12 PEN 4.05

$4.21 PEN 15.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 PEN 8.04

$1.5 PEN 5.42

$2.73 PEN 9.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 PEN 1.06

$0.72 PEN 2.61

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.11 PEN 7.63

$1.95 PEN 7.05

$2.23 PEN 8.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.12 PEN 7.65

$1.92 PEN 6.92

$2.47 PEN 8.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.89 PEN 46.57

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.6 PEN 5.77

$1.28 PEN 4.64

$1.83 PEN 6.61

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.6K PEN 67.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K PEN 91.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$40.6 PEN 147

$25.5 PEN 92.1

$56.7 PEN 205

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.68 PEN 38.57

$5.64 PEN 20.36

$11.26 PEN 40.69

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.58 PEN 110

$22.24 PEN 80.4

$41.7 PEN 151

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.32 PEN 77

$20.63 PEN 74.5

$22 PEN 79.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.31 PEN 30.04

Cinema Ticket

$4.51 PEN 16.28

$4.23 PEN 15.29

$8.45 PEN 30.54

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$60.1 PEN 217

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,499 PEN 23.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.41 PEN 135

$33.25 PEN 120

$41.56 PEN 150

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.04 PEN 79.6

$16.53 PEN 59.7

$27.55 PEN 99.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.5 PEN 229

$56.4 PEN 204

$70.5 PEN 255

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.1 PEN 199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$243 PEN 878

$196 PEN 709

$336 PEN 1,215

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 PEN 575

$140 PEN 507

$168 PEN 608

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$527 PEN 1,904

$491 PEN 1,773

$545 PEN 1,970

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$384 PEN 1,388

$329 PEN 1,190

$412 PEN 1,487

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,282 PEN 8,244

$1,106 PEN 3,995

$2,975 PEN 10.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,541 PEN 5,565

$840 PEN 3,036

$2,241 PEN 8,095

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$549 PEN 1,984

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

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Cost of Living in Arequipa - Frequently Asked Questions

Arequipa balances warmth of culture with a lower price tag than Peru's coastal hubs. For many travelers and remote workers, the city offers a comfortable pace, accessible cafes, and diverse housing options without the big-city premium. Cost of Living in Arequipa, Peru tends to feel friendlier for longer stays if you prioritize local eateries and off-peak transit routes over tourist hotspots. You’ll find cheaper apartments outside the historic center, while central areas are convenient for coworking and nightlife. Transportation is walkable or inexpensive by bus, with occasional rideshares. Tip: Start with a short stay in a couple of neighborhoods to test value and fit.

Daily life centers on a compact, walkable core with a strong cafe and market culture. For housing, look for furnished flats near main arteries or in older buildings with good light; flexible leases help you test neighborhoods. Food options range from simple picanterías to fusion spots, and markets provide fresh produce at reasonable prices. Local transport is affordable and reliable, with buses and taxis as practical choices for longer trips or errands. Arequipa, Peru living cost varies by district and season, so try a couple of areas before committing. Tip: Let a week of errands in each neighborhood guide your choice and budget.

Quality of life in Arequipa blends outdoor access with a livable city rhythm. To budget effectively, anchor costs around housing, food, and local transport, then layer in leisure by season. Seasonality influences crowds and pacing more than prices, so spring and sunnier months can feel busier in tourist areas, while quieter periods reward flexible plans. Neighborhood fit matters: Centro Histórico puts you within easy access to nightlife and cafes, Yanahuara offers scenic views and calmer mornings, and Cayma serves as a quieter residential hub. Practical savings come from cooking at home, shopping at mercados, and choosing longer-term leases for stability. Tip: Build a simple monthly framework – housing, utilities, groceries, transit – and adjust monthly as you explore.