Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Huánuco Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Huánuco

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $756 in Cusco versus $112 in Huánuco.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,178 in Cusco versus $200 in Huánuco.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,600 in Cusco versus $288 in Huánuco.

Living in Cusco is roughly 574% more expensive than Huánuco, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco 43% lower, Huánuco 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 PEN 9.76

$3.54 PEN 12.08

-19.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.37 PEN 96.7

$17.69 PEN 60.3

60.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.41 PEN 18.45

Cappuccino

$2.02 PEN 6.90

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

$1.21 PEN 4.14

$0.86 PEN 2.92

40.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PEN 2.70

$0.54 PEN 1.82

46.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 PEN 7.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.20 PEN 14.31

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 PEN 5.06

White Bread (500g)

$2.90 PEN 9.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.39

Eggs

$3.84 PEN 13.08

$1.59 PEN 5.42

141.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.79 PEN 16.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.00 PEN 17.04

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.75 PEN 23.02

Apples (1kg)

$2.45 PEN 8.34

$2.42 PEN 8.25

1.24%

Banana (1kg)

$0.77 PEN 2.61

Oranges (1kg)

$1.31 PEN 4.48

$0.54 PEN 1.83

142.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.08

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.57

$0.54 PEN 1.85

94.44%

Onion (1kg)

$1.00 PEN 3.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.71 PEN 2.43

$0.29 PEN 1.00

144.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 PEN 2.38

$0.59 PEN 2.00

18.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.73 PEN 16.12

Wine (Bottle)

$5.86 PEN 19.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 PEN 6.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 PEN 10.36

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 PEN 0.92

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 PEN 5.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.64 PEN 5.59

$0.51 PEN 1.75

221.57%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.76 PEN 9.41

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 PEN 5.28

$1.33 PEN 4.54

16.54%

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

$18.5K PEN 63.0K

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

$22.0K PEN 75.0K

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

$33.20 PEN 113

$24.66 PEN 84.1

34.63%

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

$13.84 PEN 47.20

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.71 PEN 105

$19.06 PEN 65.0

61.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.06 PEN 106

Cinema Ticket

$4.89 PEN 16.69

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.07 PEN 123

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.37 PEN 96.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.5 PEN 210

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 PEN 242

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$311 PEN 1,061

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$246 PEN 838

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$576 PEN 1,964

$195 PEN 665

195.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$418 PEN 1,424

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,856 PEN 13.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,773 PEN 6,043

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$428 PEN 1,460

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Cusco: June 13, 2026

Last update for Huánuco: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $28.00 in Cusco vs $18.00 in Huánuco for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $195 vs $30.00 per month, with Huánuco cheaper across the board.

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

Cusco vs Huánuco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huánuco is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 574% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,134 in Cusco and $168 in Huánuco 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 540% higher in Cusco. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Huánuco – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $28.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

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

For families, Huánuco is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cusco, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Cusco and Huánuco 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 Huánuco gentler on the wallet – expenses run 574% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.