Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Talara Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Talara

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $756 in Cusco versus $28.02 in Talara.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,178 in Cusco versus $180 in Talara.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,600 in Cusco versus $333 in Talara.

Living in Cusco is roughly 2598% more expensive than in Talara, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco 43% lower, Talara 98% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 PEN 9.68

$2.83 PEN 9.55

1.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.37 PEN 95.9

$16.55 PEN 56.0

71.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.41 PEN 18.30

Cappuccino

$2.02 PEN 6.85

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

$1.21 PEN 4.11

$0.55 PEN 1.86

120.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PEN 2.68

$0.32 PEN 1.07

146.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 PEN 7.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.20 PEN 14.20

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 PEN 5.02

White Bread (500g)

$2.90 PEN 9.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.36

Eggs

$3.84 PEN 12.98

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.79 PEN 16.19

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.00 PEN 16.90

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.75 PEN 22.84

Apples (1kg)

$2.45 PEN 8.27

Banana (1kg)

$0.77 PEN 2.59

Oranges (1kg)

$1.31 PEN 4.44

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.05

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.54

Onion (1kg)

$1.00 PEN 3.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.71 PEN 2.41

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 PEN 2.36

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.73 PEN 15.99

Wine (Bottle)

$5.86 PEN 19.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 PEN 6.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 PEN 10.28

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 PEN 0.91

$0.54 PEN 1.82

-50.00%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 PEN 5.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.64 PEN 5.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.76 PEN 9.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 PEN 5.23

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

$18.5K PEN 62.5K

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

$22.0K PEN 74.4K

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

$33.20 PEN 112

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

$13.84 PEN 46.82

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.71 PEN 104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.06 PEN 105

Cinema Ticket

$4.89 PEN 16.55

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.07 PEN 122

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.37 PEN 95.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.5 PEN 208

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 PEN 240

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$311 PEN 1,053

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$246 PEN 831

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$576 PEN 1,948

$273 PEN 924

110.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$418 PEN 1,412

$191 PEN 647

118.39%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,856 PEN 13.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,773 PEN 5,994

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$428 PEN 1,448

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 Talara: June 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $28.00 in Cusco vs $17.00 in Talara 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 Talara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Talara is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 2598% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,134 in Cusco and $42.03 in Talara 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 Talara – a meal for two runs $17.00 versus $28.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $756 per month in Cusco versus $28.02 in Talara – a 2598% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Talara gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

For families, Talara 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.

Expats usually find Talara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2598% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.