Cost of Living Comparison Between Cajamarca and Tarapoto Cost of Living Comparison Between Cajamarca and Tarapoto

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $695 in Cajamarca versus $105 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,177 in Cajamarca versus $226 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,658 in Cajamarca versus $347 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cajamarca is roughly 565% more expensive than in Tarapoto, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cajamarca 48% lower, Tarapoto 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 PEN 12.31

$2.84 PEN 9.78

25.70%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.96 PEN 99.7

$29.08 PEN 100

-0.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.95 PEN 20.49

$7.23 PEN 24.89

-17.70%

Cappuccino

$2.64 PEN 9.09

$2.94 PEN 10.14

-10.20%

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

$0.79 PEN 2.72

$0.75 PEN 2.60

5.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 PEN 2.12

$0.56 PEN 1.93

10.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 PEN 7.93

$2.92 PEN 10.06

-21.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 PEN 12.52

$3.20 PEN 11.03

13.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 PEN 4.77

White Bread (500g)

$3.27 PEN 11.26

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.44

Eggs

$2.28 PEN 7.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.58 PEN 26.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.28 PEN 21.63

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.12 PEN 45.18

Apples (1kg)

$1.06 PEN 3.67

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 PEN 2.69

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 PEN 4.22

Tomato (1kg)

$1.08 PEN 3.72

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 PEN 2.53

Onion (1kg)

$1.00 PEN 3.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 PEN 2.49

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 PEN 2.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.98 PEN 30.93

Wine (Bottle)

$10.19 PEN 35.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.59 PEN 8.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 PEN 8.45

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.56 PEN 1.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.93 PEN 30.76

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 PEN 6.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 PEN 4.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.05 PEN 17.39

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.51 PEN 5.22

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

$23.7K PEN 81.7K

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

$25.9K PEN 89.1K

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

$49.76 PEN 171

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

$9.79 PEN 33.73

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.01 PEN 99.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.97 PEN 107

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.52 PEN 70.7

Cinema Ticket

$4.76 PEN 16.39

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

$137 PEN 473

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,463 PEN 15.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 PEN 178

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.33 PEN 101

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.8 PEN 278

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.9 PEN 279

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$199 PEN 684

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$103 PEN 355

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$527 PEN 1,814

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$317 PEN 1,090

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,338 PEN 8,053

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$727 PEN 2,503

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: October 5, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: October 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $29.00 in Cajamarca vs $29.00 in Tarapoto for two.

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 Tarapoto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tarapoto is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 565% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,043 in Cajamarca and $157 in Tarapoto 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.

Dining out is cheaper in Tarapoto – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $29.00 in Cajamarca. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $695 per month in Cajamarca versus $105 in Tarapoto – a 565% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Tarapoto 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 Tarapoto 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 Tarapoto gentler on the wallet – expenses run 565% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.