Last update: Oct 2026 Peru 17.1K

Cost of Living in Arequipa

Name: Arequipa
Address: Arequipa, PE

For one person, living costs in Arequipa are estimated at $707 a month, including rent and utilities – 16% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

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Arequipa

🇵🇪 Peru

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Arequipa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Arequipa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $707 per month with rent, or $449 for everyday expenses alone.

$707 /mo

A couple spends around $1,115 per month with rent, or $765 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,115 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,523 per month with rent, or $1,080 without housing.

$1,523 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.38 PEN 11.61

$2.82 PEN 9.68

$5.64 PEN 19.38

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.16 PEN 93.3

$14.30 PEN 49.10

$34.30 PEN 118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.88 PEN 20.21

$4.41 PEN 15.13

$5.88 PEN 20.21

Cappuccino

$2.47 PEN 8.49

$2.01 PEN 6.89

$3.73 PEN 12.80

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

$0.75 PEN 2.59

$0.55 PEN 1.90

$0.97 PEN 3.34

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 PEN 1.33

$0.30 PEN 1.04

$0.51 PEN 1.76

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.05 PEN 7.06

$1.42 PEN 4.87

$3.40 PEN 11.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 PEN 14.56

$2.26 PEN 7.77

$7.08 PEN 24.30

Milk (1 liter)

$1.32 PEN 4.54

$0.74 PEN 2.53

$2.64 PEN 9.05

White Bread (500g)

$1.42 PEN 4.88

$0.60 PEN 2.05

$2.24 PEN 7.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 PEN 5.26

$1.05 PEN 3.60

$1.79 PEN 6.15

Eggs

$2.27 PEN 7.81

$1.48 PEN 5.08

$2.74 PEN 9.39

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.33 PEN 21.74

$5.85 PEN 20.08

$6.43 PEN 22.08

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.42 PEN 15.17

$3.42 PEN 11.74

$5.71 PEN 19.59

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.48 PEN 25.67

$4.73 PEN 16.24

$10.33 PEN 35.49

Apples (1kg)

$1.75 PEN 6.02

$0.88 PEN 3.01

$2.34 PEN 8.02

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 PEN 4.07

$0.85 PEN 2.93

$1.70 PEN 5.85

Oranges (1kg)

$1.18 PEN 4.05

$0.88 PEN 3.04

$1.47 PEN 5.07

Tomato (1kg)

$0.99 PEN 3.41

$0.56 PEN 1.94

$1.13 PEN 3.87

Potato (1kg)

$0.62 PEN 2.15

$0.56 PEN 1.92

$0.70 PEN 2.41

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 PEN 2.31

$0.28 PEN 0.96

$0.84 PEN 2.87

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.86

$0.45 PEN 1.54

$0.59 PEN 2.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 PEN 2.70

$0.59 PEN 2.04

$0.89 PEN 3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.22 PEN 17.94

$5.38 PEN 18.47

Wine (Bottle)

$5.12 PEN 17.59

$4.39 PEN 15.06

$7.32 PEN 25.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.69 PEN 9.25

$1.14 PEN 3.90

$4.26 PEN 14.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 PEN 7.95

$1.63 PEN 5.60

$2.96 PEN 10.15

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.30 PEN 1.04

$0.46 PEN 1.58

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 PEN 7.04

$2.11 PEN 7.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.04 PEN 7.01

$0.87 PEN 3.00

$2.10 PEN 7.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.12 PEN 45.07

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 PEN 5.41

$1.20 PEN 4.12

$1.74 PEN 5.97

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

$19.0K PEN 65.2K

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

$25.1K PEN 86.2K

$24.6K PEN 84.5K

$25.6K PEN 87.8K

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

$23.88 PEN 82.0

$20.47 PEN 70.3

$26.32 PEN 90.4

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

$10.08 PEN 34.62

$5.77 PEN 19.82

$11.53 PEN 39.60

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.83 PEN 78.4

$17.12 PEN 58.8

$28.54 PEN 98.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.51 PEN 84.2

$21.62 PEN 74.3

$28.83 PEN 99.0

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.14 PEN 27.94

$7.40 PEN 25.42

$8.88 PEN 30.50

Cinema Ticket

$7.36 PEN 25.27

$4.12 PEN 14.13

$8.83 PEN 30.32

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

$75.1 PEN 258

$62.7 PEN 215

$87.5 PEN 300

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,715 PEN 23.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.32 PEN 169

$44.38 PEN 152

$59.2 PEN 203

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.02 PEN 89.4

$20.24 PEN 69.5

$28.91 PEN 99.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.4 PEN 232

$55.7 PEN 191

$88.0 PEN 302

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$59.0 PEN 202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$351 PEN 1,206

$202 PEN 693

$660 PEN 2,267

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$235 PEN 806

$173 PEN 595

$286 PEN 983

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$708 PEN 2,432

$569 PEN 1,955

$917 PEN 3,147

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$419 PEN 1,439

$349 PEN 1,199

$454 PEN 1,559

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,952 PEN 6,703

$1,764 PEN 6,058

$2,883 PEN 9,899

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$969 PEN 3,328

$867 PEN 2,979

$1,045 PEN 3,589

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$608 PEN 2,086

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Arequipa $707

Accommodation & Living

$235 33.2%

Groceries & Markets

$175 24.7%

Eating Out

$98 13.8%

Clothing & Footwear

$91 12.8%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$57 8%

Sport & Entertainment

$39 5.6%

Getting Around

$13 * 1.9%

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $351, dropping to $235 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 58% of the average salary ($608) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $608 – below monthly costs of $707. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $175 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $27.00.

Cost Highlights

Local beer is more expensive than 98% of cities in South America

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 96% of cities in South America

Gasoline is more expensive than 94% of cities in South America

Good to know

🕒 Local time

16:27 4:27 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

17,062

💱 Currency

Peruvian Sol PEN S/

📈 Exchange rate

1 PEN = 0.291 USD

1 PEN = 0.259 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Arequipa

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Arequipa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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.

A single person in Arequipa typically spends $707 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $449. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

For 2026, a single person in Arequipa should plan on about $707 per month with rent, or $449 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $1,061 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Arequipa. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.

Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Arequipa – 1-bedroom apartments range from $235 to $351 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.

A gym membership in Arequipa runs about $24.51 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.

Private kindergarten in Arequipa costs about $75.1 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.

$800 a month in Arequipa? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $707, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

Quality of life in Arequipa is genuinely good – highlights include fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, and monthly costs hover around $707. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.

Arequipa is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $707 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Arequipa is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $707 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.