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: $689 in Cusco versus $26.91 in Huánuco.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,056 in Cusco versus $81.0 in Huánuco.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,423 in Cusco versus $135 in Huánuco.

Living in Cusco is roughly 2461% more expensive than in Huánuco, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco 50% lower, Huánuco 98% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.58 PEN 8.70

$3.07 PEN 10.35

-15.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.08 PEN 71.1

$14.59 PEN 49.23

44.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.46 PEN 21.80

Cappuccino

$2.21 PEN 7.44

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

$0.75 PEN 2.52

$0.63 PEN 2.12

19.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 PEN 1.13

$0.29 PEN 0.98

13.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 PEN 7.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.49 PEN 15.13

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 PEN 4.49

White Bread (500g)

$2.36 PEN 7.95

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 PEN 4.45

Eggs

$3.63 PEN 12.25

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.85 PEN 16.37

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.57 PEN 15.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.37 PEN 24.86

Apples (1kg)

$2.67 PEN 9.00

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 PEN 2.85

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 PEN 5.15

Tomato (1kg)

$0.88 PEN 2.95

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 PEN 3.61

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 PEN 3.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 PEN 2.62

Wine (Bottle)

$5.90 PEN 19.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 PEN 6.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.35 PEN 14.69

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.31 PEN 1.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 PEN 6.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 PEN 6.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 PEN 9.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 PEN 5.21

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

$30.32 PEN 102

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

$14.64 PEN 49.41

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.76 PEN 148

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.37 PEN 119

Cinema Ticket

$4.35 PEN 14.68

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.77 PEN 131

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.83 PEN 114

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.7 PEN 188

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.7 PEN 249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$146 PEN 493

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$176 PEN 592

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$361 PEN 1,218

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 PEN 900

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,914 PEN 13.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,841 PEN 6,211

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$442 PEN 1,490

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

Last update for Cusco: September 14, 2026

Last update for Huánuco: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $21.00 in Cusco vs $15.00 in Huánuco 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

Cusco vs Huánuco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huánuco is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 2461% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,034 in Cusco and $40.37 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.

Dining out is cheaper in Huánuco – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $21.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $689 per month in Cusco versus $26.91 in Huánuco – a 2461% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 2461% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.