Cost of Living in Arequipa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Arequipa
Address: Arequipa, PE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $648 per month with rent, or $508 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,063 per month with rent, or $811 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,478 per month with rent, or $1,114 without housing.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.10 PEN 14.02

$2.73 PEN 9.35

$6.82 PEN 23.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.09 PEN 96.1

$15.72 PEN 53.8

$33.70 PEN 115

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.68 PEN 19.43

$8.24 PEN 28.17

Cappuccino

$2.54 PEN 8.70

$1.93 PEN 6.59

$3.59 PEN 12.27

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

$0.82 PEN 2.81

$0.58 PEN 1.99

$1.01 PEN 3.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 PEN 1.25

$0.27 PEN 0.92

$1.34 PEN 4.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 PEN 7.73

$1.13 PEN 3.86

$5.09 PEN 17.40

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.93 PEN 20.28

$2.21 PEN 7.54

$6.89 PEN 23.58

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 PEN 5.24

$0.67 PEN 2.30

$2.17 PEN 7.41

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 PEN 4.37

$0.57 PEN 1.96

$2.56 PEN 8.75

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 PEN 4.32

$0.98 PEN 3.35

$1.69 PEN 5.77

Eggs

$2.13 PEN 7.29

$1.46 PEN 4.98

$2.70 PEN 9.23

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.43 PEN 18.57

$3.59 PEN 12.28

$6.08 PEN 20.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.44 PEN 18.60

$3.98 PEN 13.63

$7.97 PEN 27.26

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.74 PEN 26.45

$4.25 PEN 14.53

$9.91 PEN 33.88

Apples (1kg)

$1.51 PEN 5.17

$0.85 PEN 2.90

$2.27 PEN 7.75

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 PEN 4.01

$0.81 PEN 2.77

$1.63 PEN 5.58

Oranges (1kg)

$1.21 PEN 4.14

$1.12 PEN 3.83

$1.40 PEN 4.80

Tomato (1kg)

$0.78 PEN 2.67

$0.55 PEN 1.89

$1.10 PEN 3.75

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 PEN 1.87

$0.54 PEN 1.83

$0.58 PEN 2.00

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 PEN 1.98

$0.29 PEN 0.99

$0.86 PEN 2.94

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.48 PEN 1.64

$0.44 PEN 1.50

$0.58 PEN 2.00

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 PEN 2.49

$0.41 PEN 1.41

$0.82 PEN 2.79

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.81 PEN 16.44

$4.74 PEN 16.21

$4.88 PEN 16.68

Wine (Bottle)

$5.07 PEN 17.35

$4.35 PEN 14.87

$7.24 PEN 24.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.40 PEN 8.20

$1.10 PEN 3.75

$4.12 PEN 14.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 PEN 7.80

$1.54 PEN 5.26

$2.79 PEN 9.56

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 PEN 1.00

$0.72 PEN 2.48

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.07 PEN 7.09

$1.92 PEN 6.55

$2.19 PEN 7.50

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 PEN 7.22

$1.91 PEN 6.52

$2.46 PEN 8.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.07 PEN 44.68

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.62 PEN 5.55

$1.31 PEN 4.46

$1.86 PEN 6.36

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

$19.0K PEN 65.0K

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

$24.6K PEN 84.3K

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

$40.38 PEN 138

$25.36 PEN 86.7

$56.3 PEN 193

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

$10.60 PEN 36.24

$5.60 PEN 19.14

$11.18 PEN 38.24

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.43 PEN 104

$22.13 PEN 75.7

$41.49 PEN 142

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.63 PEN 74.0

$20.92 PEN 71.6

$22.32 PEN 76.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.20 PEN 28.06

Cinema Ticket

$4.32 PEN 14.77

$4.06 PEN 13.87

$8.10 PEN 27.71

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

$59.9 PEN 205

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,399 PEN 21.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.98 PEN 130

$33.76 PEN 115

$42.20 PEN 144

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.47 PEN 76.9

$16.86 PEN 57.7

$28.09 PEN 96.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.5 PEN 217

$56.4 PEN 193

$70.5 PEN 241

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.7 PEN 187

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$241 PEN 823

$194 PEN 665

$333 PEN 1,139

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$158 PEN 541

$140 PEN 477

$167 PEN 573

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$545 PEN 1,863

$507 PEN 1,735

$564 PEN 1,928

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$393 PEN 1,344

$337 PEN 1,152

$421 PEN 1,440

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,995 PEN 6,821

$1,803 PEN 6,165

$2,945 PEN 10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$984 PEN 3,364

$881 PEN 3,012

$1,061 PEN 3,629

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$650 PEN 2,222

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: May 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $241, dropping to $158 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 37% of the average salary ($650) – close to the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $650. With monthly costs around $648, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $972.

Groceries cost around $172 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $28.00.

Cost Highlights

Arequipa has the 5th most expensive local beer in South America

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 97% of cities in South America

Gasoline is more expensive than 95% of cities in South America

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 $648 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $508. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

For 2026, a single person in Arequipa should plan on about $648 per month with rent, or $508 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

After taxes, the average worker in Arequipa takes home about $650 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.

Rent is one of Arequipa's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $158 to $241 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 $21.63 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 $59.9 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.

$2,000 a month in Arequipa? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $648, 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 $648. 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 $648 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 $648 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.