Cost of Living in Arequipa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Arequipa
Address: Arequipa, PE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $392 (excluding rent), and $632 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $925 (excluding rent), and $1,504 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.15 PEN 14.05

$2.76 PEN 9.37

$6.90 PEN 23.39

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.05 PEN 95.1

$15.70 PEN 53.2

$33.65 PEN 114

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.45 PEN 18.47

$7.90 PEN 26.78

Cappuccino

$2.52 PEN 8.55

$1.91 PEN 6.48

$3.56 PEN 12.06

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

$0.76 PEN 2.58

$0.54 PEN 1.83

$0.94 PEN 3.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 PEN 1.34

$0.29 PEN 0.99

$1.45 PEN 4.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.25 PEN 7.63

$1.13 PEN 3.82

$5.07 PEN 17.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.04 PEN 20.47

$2.25 PEN 7.61

$7.02 PEN 23.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.52 PEN 5.17

$0.67 PEN 2.27

$2.15 PEN 7.31

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 PEN 4.34

$0.57 PEN 1.95

$2.56 PEN 8.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 PEN 4.30

$0.98 PEN 3.34

$1.69 PEN 5.74

Eggs

$2.08 PEN 7.07

$1.42 PEN 4.82

$2.64 PEN 8.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.44 PEN 18.44

$3.60 PEN 12.19

$6.09 PEN 20.63

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.24 PEN 17.78

$3.84 PEN 13.02

$7.68 PEN 26.04

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.50 PEN 25.42

$4.12 PEN 13.97

$9.60 PEN 32.56

Apples (1kg)

$1.49 PEN 5.06

$0.84 PEN 2.84

$2.24 PEN 7.59

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 PEN 4.00

$0.82 PEN 2.77

$1.64 PEN 5.57

Oranges (1kg)

$1.22 PEN 4.12

$1.12 PEN 3.81

$1.41 PEN 4.77

Tomato (1kg)

$0.82 PEN 2.78

$0.58 PEN 1.97

$1.15 PEN 3.91

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 PEN 1.97

$0.57 PEN 1.94

$0.62 PEN 2.11

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 PEN 1.85

$0.27 PEN 0.92

$0.81 PEN 2.74

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.44 PEN 1.50

$0.40 PEN 1.37

$0.54 PEN 1.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 PEN 2.46

$0.41 PEN 1.40

$0.81 PEN 2.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.87 PEN 16.50

$4.80 PEN 16.26

$4.94 PEN 16.73

Wine (Bottle)

$5.18 PEN 17.55

$4.44 PEN 15.05

$7.39 PEN 25.06

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 PEN 8.42

$1.13 PEN 3.85

$4.26 PEN 14.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 PEN 7.54

$1.50 PEN 5.08

$2.72 PEN 9.23

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 PEN 0.90

$0.66 PEN 2.22

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 PEN 6.96

$1.90 PEN 6.43

$2.17 PEN 7.36

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.06 PEN 6.97

$1.86 PEN 6.31

$2.40 PEN 8.14

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.90 PEN 43.74

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 PEN 5.24

$1.24 PEN 4.21

$1.77 PEN 6.00

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

$18.9K PEN 64.0K

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

$25.2K PEN 85.5K

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

$39.50 PEN 134

$24.80 PEN 84.1

$55.1 PEN 187

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

$10.48 PEN 35.54

$5.54 PEN 18.77

$11.06 PEN 37.50

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.17 PEN 102

$21.94 PEN 74.4

$41.14 PEN 139

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.27 PEN 72.1

$20.58 PEN 69.8

$21.96 PEN 74.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.50 PEN 28.81

Cinema Ticket

$4.52 PEN 15.34

$4.25 PEN 14.41

$8.49 PEN 28.78

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

$59.6 PEN 202

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,330 PEN 21.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.11 PEN 129

$33.88 PEN 115

$42.34 PEN 144

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.08 PEN 74.9

$16.57 PEN 56.2

$27.61 PEN 93.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.4 PEN 215

$56.4 PEN 191

$70.5 PEN 239

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.1 PEN 187

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$244 PEN 826

$197 PEN 667

$337 PEN 1,144

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$160 PEN 543

$141 PEN 480

$170 PEN 575

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$539 PEN 1,827

$502 PEN 1,701

$558 PEN 1,890

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$390 PEN 1,322

$334 PEN 1,133

$418 PEN 1,416

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,038 PEN 6,908

$1,842 PEN 6,243

$3,009 PEN 10.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$990 PEN 3,356

$886 PEN 3,004

$1,068 PEN 3,620

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$658 PEN 2,229

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Arequipa Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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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.