Cost of Living in Arequipa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Arequipa
Address: Arequipa, PE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $381 (excluding rent), and $642 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,208 (excluding rent), and $1,482 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.19 PEN 14.12

$2.79 PEN 9.41

$6.97 PEN 23.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.27 PEN 91.9

$15.27 PEN 51.5

$32.72 PEN 110

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.48 PEN 18.46

$7.94 PEN 26.76

Cappuccino

$2.55 PEN 8.59

$1.93 PEN 6.51

$3.59 PEN 12.12

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

$0.75 PEN 2.53

$0.53 PEN 1.79

$0.92 PEN 3.11

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 PEN 1.23

$0.27 PEN 0.9

$1.33 PEN 4.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.25 PEN 7.57

$1.12 PEN 3.79

$5.06 PEN 17.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.84 PEN 19.67

$2.17 PEN 7.31

$6.78 PEN 22.87

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 PEN 5.44

$0.71 PEN 2.39

$2.28 PEN 7.7

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 PEN 4.29

$0.57 PEN 1.92

$2.55 PEN 8.58

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.23 PEN 4.16

$0.96 PEN 3.23

$1.65 PEN 5.55

Eggs

$2.12 PEN 7.15

$1.45 PEN 4.88

$2.68 PEN 9.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.31 PEN 17.91

$3.51 PEN 11.84

$5.95 PEN 20.05

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.4 PEN 18.21

$3.96 PEN 13.34

$7.92 PEN 26.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.7 PEN 25.96

$4.23 PEN 14.26

$9.86 PEN 33.25

Apples (1kg)

$1.52 PEN 5.11

$0.85 PEN 2.86

$2.27 PEN 7.66

Banana (1kg)

$1.23 PEN 4.15

$0.85 PEN 2.87

$1.71 PEN 5.78

Oranges (1kg)

$1.21 PEN 4.08

$1.12 PEN 3.77

$1.4 PEN 4.72

Tomato (1kg)

$0.77 PEN 2.59

$0.55 PEN 1.84

$1.08 PEN 3.64

Potato (1kg)

$0.59 PEN 1.98

$0.58 PEN 1.95

$0.63 PEN 2.12

Onion (1kg)

$0.53 PEN 1.79

$0.27 PEN 0.9

$0.79 PEN 2.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 PEN 1.5

$0.41 PEN 1.37

$0.54 PEN 1.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 PEN 2.4

$0.4 PEN 1.36

$0.8 PEN 2.7

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.96 PEN 16.7

$4.89 PEN 16.47

$5.03 PEN 16.94

Wine (Bottle)

$5.26 PEN 17.72

$4.51 PEN 15.19

$7.51 PEN 25.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 PEN 8.03

$1.09 PEN 3.67

$4.09 PEN 13.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 PEN 7.5

$1.5 PEN 5.05

$2.72 PEN 9.18

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 PEN 0.9

$0.66 PEN 2.21

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.08 PEN 7.01

$1.92 PEN 6.47

$2.2 PEN 7.41

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.14 PEN 7.21

$1.93 PEN 6.52

$2.5 PEN 8.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.76 PEN 42.99

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 PEN 5.19

$1.24 PEN 4.17

$1.76 PEN 5.95

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

$18.8K PEN 63.2K

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

$25.4K PEN 85.7K

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

$39.47 PEN 133

$24.78 PEN 83.5

$55.1 PEN 186

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

$10.66 PEN 35.93

$5.63 PEN 18.97

$11.25 PEN 37.91

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.67 PEN 103

$22.31 PEN 75.2

$41.82 PEN 141

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.22 PEN 71.5

$20.53 PEN 69.2

$21.9 PEN 73.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.08 PEN 27.25

Cinema Ticket

$4.52 PEN 15.23

$4.24 PEN 14.3

$8.48 PEN 28.57

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

$58.6 PEN 197

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,291 PEN 21.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.15 PEN 125

$33.02 PEN 111

$41.27 PEN 139

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.52 PEN 75.9

$16.89 PEN 56.9

$28.15 PEN 94.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$62.3 PEN 210

$55.4 PEN 187

$69.2 PEN 233

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.8 PEN 185

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$237 PEN 798

$191 PEN 645

$328 PEN 1,105

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$156 PEN 526

$138 PEN 464

$165 PEN 557

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$533 PEN 1,798

$497 PEN 1,674

$552 PEN 1,860

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$383 PEN 1,289

$328 PEN 1,105

$410 PEN 1,381

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,482 PEN 8,364

$1,203 PEN 4,053

$3,236 PEN 10.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,335 PEN 4,499

$709 PEN 2,389

$2,397 PEN 8,079

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$625 PEN 2,108

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

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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.