Cost of Living Comparison Between Cajamarca and Huaraz Cost of Living Comparison Between Cajamarca and Huaraz

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $654 in Cajamarca versus $111 in Huaraz.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,105 in Cajamarca versus $189 in Huaraz.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,555 in Cajamarca versus $267 in Huaraz.

Living in Cajamarca is roughly 488% more expensive than in Huaraz, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cajamarca 51% lower, Huaraz 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.14 PEN 10.60

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.99 PEN 94.5

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.99 PEN 20.21

Cappuccino

$2.84 PEN 9.59

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

$0.82 PEN 2.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 PEN 1.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 PEN 7.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.40 PEN 11.47

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 PEN 4.25

$1.90 PEN 6.40

-33.68%

White Bread (500g)

$3.11 PEN 10.50

$1.08 PEN 3.65

187.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.04 PEN 3.52

$0.85 PEN 2.86

22.35%

Eggs

$2.05 PEN 6.93

$1.35 PEN 4.56

51.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.10 PEN 20.59

$5.63 PEN 19.02

8.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.66 PEN 19.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.17 PEN 41.06

$6.99 PEN 23.58

74.11%

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 PEN 3.40

$0.82 PEN 2.76

23.17%

Banana (1kg)

$0.75 PEN 2.52

$0.54 PEN 1.82

38.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.89 PEN 2.99

$0.86 PEN 2.90

3.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.00 PEN 3.37

$0.57 PEN 1.93

75.44%

Potato (1kg)

$0.71 PEN 2.39

$0.85 PEN 2.86

-16.47%

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 PEN 3.30

$0.57 PEN 1.94

71.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 PEN 2.28

$0.58 PEN 1.95

15.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 PEN 2.58

$0.29 PEN 0.98

165.52%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.12 PEN 27.39

Wine (Bottle)

$10.25 PEN 34.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.44 PEN 8.24

$1.69 PEN 5.70

44.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 PEN 7.73

$1.97 PEN 6.66

16.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 PEN 1.85

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.12 PEN 27.39

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.69 PEN 5.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.20 PEN 4.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.73 PEN 15.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 PEN 4.90

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

$22.3K PEN 75.2K

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

$23.9K PEN 80.5K

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

$45.45 PEN 153

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

$9.08 PEN 30.65

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.76 PEN 90.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.45 PEN 96.0

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.19 PEN 64.8

Cinema Ticket

$4.64 PEN 15.65

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

$130 PEN 440

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,123 PEN 13.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.73 PEN 164

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.67 PEN 93.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 PEN 261

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.7 PEN 262

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$201 PEN 678

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.8 PEN 333

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$507 PEN 1,710

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$293 PEN 989

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,310 PEN 7,795

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$721 PEN 2,434

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.5

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

Last update for Cajamarca: July 27, 2026

Last update for Huaraz: July 28, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cajamarca vs Huaraz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huaraz is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 488% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $982 in Cajamarca and $167 in Huaraz to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 88% higher in Cajamarca. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $654 per month in Cajamarca versus $111 in Huaraz – a 488% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Huaraz gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Cajamarca and Huaraz are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Huaraz gentler on the wallet – expenses run 488% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.