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: $651 in Cajamarca versus $112 in Huaraz.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,099 in Cajamarca versus $186 in Huaraz.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,546 in Cajamarca versus $260 in Huaraz.

Living in Cajamarca is roughly 482% more expensive than Huaraz, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.98 PEN 10.15

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.04 PEN 95.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.72 PEN 19.50

Cappuccino

$2.95 PEN 10.04

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

$0.81 PEN 2.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.58 PEN 1.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 PEN 7.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 PEN 11.68

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 PEN 4.27

$1.95 PEN 6.66

-35.90%

White Bread (500g)

$2.97 PEN 10.12

$1.14 PEN 3.89

160.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.04 PEN 3.53

$0.84 PEN 2.87

23.81%

Eggs

$2.15 PEN 7.32

$1.37 PEN 4.68

56.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.14 PEN 20.94

$5.41 PEN 18.45

13.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.94 PEN 20.26

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.32 PEN 42.00

$6.74 PEN 22.97

82.79%

Apples (1kg)

$0.99 PEN 3.37

$0.86 PEN 2.94

15.12%

Banana (1kg)

$0.75 PEN 2.55

$0.54 PEN 1.85

38.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.07

$0.80 PEN 2.74

12.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.01 PEN 3.44

$0.59 PEN 2.00

71.19%

Potato (1kg)

$0.75 PEN 2.55

$0.81 PEN 2.76

-7.41%

Onion (1kg)

$0.95 PEN 3.23

$0.53 PEN 1.81

79.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 PEN 2.28

$0.54 PEN 1.83

24.07%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 PEN 2.44

$0.29 PEN 1.00

148.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.49 PEN 28.94

Wine (Bottle)

$10.27 PEN 35.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 PEN 8.30

$1.63 PEN 5.55

49.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 PEN 8.26

$2.00 PEN 6.81

21.00%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.54 PEN 1.85

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.18 PEN 27.87

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.68 PEN 5.74

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 PEN 4.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.99 PEN 17.01

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 PEN 4.95

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

$22.5K PEN 76.7K

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

$24.2K PEN 82.6K

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

$46.05 PEN 157

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

$9.12 PEN 31.09

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.46 PEN 90.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.69 PEN 97.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.48 PEN 66.4

Cinema Ticket

$4.56 PEN 15.55

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

$129 PEN 438

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,108 PEN 14.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.50 PEN 165

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.79 PEN 94.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.3 PEN 263

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.0 PEN 263

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 PEN 682

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$96.9 PEN 330

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$496 PEN 1,691

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$298 PEN 1,016

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,366 PEN 8,066

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$710 PEN 2,422

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: June 14, 2026

Last update for Huaraz: June 13, 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 482% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $977 in Cajamarca and $168 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 90% higher in Cajamarca. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $651 per month in Cajamarca versus $112 in Huaraz – a 482% 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 482% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.