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: $636 in Cajamarca versus $31.71 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,084 in Cajamarca versus $48.00 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,532 in Cajamarca versus $65.2 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cajamarca is roughly 1907% more expensive than Tarapoto, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cajamarca 52% lower, Tarapoto 98% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.03 PEN 10.67

$2.70 PEN 9.51

12.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.29 PEN 99.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 PEN 19.95

Cappuccino

$2.91 PEN 10.24

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

$0.75 PEN 2.65

$0.80 PEN 2.82

-6.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.57 PEN 2.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 PEN 7.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.27 PEN 11.53

$2.75 PEN 9.70

18.91%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 PEN 4.38

White Bread (500g)

$3.07 PEN 10.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.07 PEN 3.77

Eggs

$2.16 PEN 7.59

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.17 PEN 21.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.71 PEN 20.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.10 PEN 42.60

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 PEN 3.45

Banana (1kg)

$0.74 PEN 2.59

Oranges (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.15

Tomato (1kg)

$1.01 PEN 3.54

Potato (1kg)

$0.75 PEN 2.65

Onion (1kg)

$0.97 PEN 3.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 PEN 2.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 PEN 2.51

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.41 PEN 29.60

Wine (Bottle)

$10.21 PEN 35.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 PEN 8.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 PEN 8.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.57 PEN 2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.49 PEN 29.87

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 PEN 5.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.20 PEN 4.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.81 PEN 16.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 PEN 5.22

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

$22.5K PEN 79.4K

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

$24.2K PEN 85.2K

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

$45.55 PEN 160

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

$9.22 PEN 32.45

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.93 PEN 94.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.66 PEN 101

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.19 PEN 67.6

Cinema Ticket

$4.52 PEN 15.91

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

$128 PEN 450

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,180 PEN 14.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.88 PEN 169

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.30 PEN 96.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.3 PEN 272

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.0 PEN 271

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$198 PEN 696

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$95.3 PEN 336

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$499 PEN 1,755

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$296 PEN 1,042

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,264 PEN 7,971

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$708 PEN 2,491

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: April 28, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: April 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 Tarapoto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tarapoto is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 1907% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $954 in Cajamarca and $47.57 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.

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 1907% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.