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: $694 in Cajamarca versus $108 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,180 in Cajamarca versus $233 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,665 in Cajamarca versus $359 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cajamarca is roughly 545% more expensive than in Tarapoto, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cajamarca 49% lower, Tarapoto 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.55 PEN 11.89

$3.05 PEN 10.21

16.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.94 PEN 100

$30.24 PEN 101

-0.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.07 PEN 20.35

$7.45 PEN 24.96

-18.52%

Cappuccino

$2.61 PEN 8.76

$3.03 PEN 10.14

-13.86%

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

$0.82 PEN 2.76

$0.76 PEN 2.54

7.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.57 PEN 1.90

$0.61 PEN 2.05

-6.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 PEN 8.10

$3.06 PEN 10.25

-20.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.61 PEN 12.10

$3.35 PEN 11.22

7.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 PEN 4.46

White Bread (500g)

$3.21 PEN 10.77

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 PEN 4.36

Eggs

$2.22 PEN 7.43

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.63 PEN 25.59

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.17 PEN 20.67

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.25 PEN 44.41

Apples (1kg)

$1.13 PEN 3.79

Banana (1kg)

$0.80 PEN 2.69

Oranges (1kg)

$1.28 PEN 4.28

Tomato (1kg)

$1.12 PEN 3.75

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 PEN 2.62

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 PEN 3.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.77 PEN 2.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 PEN 2.60

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.82 PEN 29.56

Wine (Bottle)

$10.44 PEN 34.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 PEN 8.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 PEN 8.67

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 PEN 2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.97 PEN 30.07

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 PEN 6.08

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.31 PEN 4.40

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.14 PEN 17.22

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 PEN 5.15

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

$24.1K PEN 80.7K

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

$26.3K PEN 88.2K

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

$50.4 PEN 169

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

$9.73 PEN 32.61

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.04 PEN 97.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.26 PEN 105

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.89 PEN 70.0

Cinema Ticket

$4.83 PEN 16.18

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

$141 PEN 473

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,496 PEN 15.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.3 PEN 175

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.28 PEN 98.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.4 PEN 269

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.8 PEN 277

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$199 PEN 668

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$106 PEN 355

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$525 PEN 1,761

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$317 PEN 1,061

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,343 PEN 7,853

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$738 PEN 2,473

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: August 15, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: August 18, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $30.00 in Cajamarca vs $30.00 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 545% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,042 in Cajamarca and $161 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 $30.00 versus $30.00 in Cajamarca. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $694 per month in Cajamarca versus $108 in Tarapoto – a 545% 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 545% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.