Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Huaraz Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Huaraz

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $750 in Cusco versus $111 in Huaraz.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,157 in Cusco versus $189 in Huaraz.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,563 in Cusco versus $267 in Huaraz.

Living in Cusco is roughly 574% more expensive than in Huaraz, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco 44% lower, Huaraz 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.82 PEN 9.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.87 PEN 94.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.41 PEN 18.39

Cappuccino

$2.09 PEN 7.09

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

$1.24 PEN 4.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 PEN 2.50

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.18 PEN 7.40

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.26 PEN 14.49

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 PEN 4.85

$1.90 PEN 6.45

-24.74%

White Bread (500g)

$3.03 PEN 10.31

$1.08 PEN 3.68

180.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.37

$0.85 PEN 2.88

51.76%

Eggs

$3.79 PEN 12.88

$1.35 PEN 4.60

180.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.68 PEN 15.90

$5.63 PEN 19.16

-16.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.00 PEN 16.99

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.05 PEN 23.97

$6.99 PEN 23.76

0.86%

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 PEN 7.96

$0.82 PEN 2.78

185.37%

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 PEN 2.66

$0.54 PEN 1.84

44.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 PEN 4.51

$0.86 PEN 2.92

54.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 PEN 3.28

$0.57 PEN 1.94

70.18%

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.57

$0.85 PEN 2.88

23.53%

Onion (1kg)

$0.92 PEN 3.14

$0.57 PEN 1.96

61.40%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 PEN 2.25

$0.58 PEN 1.96

13.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 PEN 2.33

$0.29 PEN 0.99

134.48%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.90 PEN 16.65

Wine (Bottle)

$6.05 PEN 20.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 PEN 6.63

$1.69 PEN 5.74

15.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 PEN 10.71

$1.97 PEN 6.71

59.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 PEN 1.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.66 PEN 5.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 PEN 5.56

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.83 PEN 9.61

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 PEN 5.01

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

$18.6K PEN 63.4K

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

$22.5K PEN 76.5K

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

$32.97 PEN 112

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

$14.10 PEN 47.95

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.44 PEN 104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.12 PEN 102

Cinema Ticket

$4.91 PEN 16.70

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.79 PEN 125

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.16 PEN 95.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$62.1 PEN 211

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.4 PEN 239

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$300 PEN 1,022

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$253 PEN 861

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$589 PEN 2,004

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$415 PEN 1,411

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,956 PEN 13.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,793 PEN 6,097

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$424 PEN 1,442

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Cusco: July 27, 2026

Last update for Huaraz: July 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

Cusco vs Huaraz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huaraz 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 $1,126 in Cusco and $167 in Huaraz 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 75% higher in Cusco. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $750 per month in Cusco versus $111 in Huaraz – a 574% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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

For families, Huaraz 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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz 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.