Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Tarapoto Cost of Living Comparison Between Cusco and Tarapoto

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $762 in Cusco versus $30.88 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,171 in Cusco versus $49.00 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,579 in Cusco versus $67.4 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cusco is roughly 2368% more expensive than Tarapoto, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.79 PEN 9.49

$2.74 PEN 9.31

1.82%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.84 PEN 94.7

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.50 PEN 18.70

Cappuccino

$2.02 PEN 6.87

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

$1.21 PEN 4.12

$0.79 PEN 2.69

53.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 PEN 2.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.19 PEN 7.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 PEN 13.92

$2.72 PEN 9.25

50.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 PEN 4.90

White Bread (500g)

$2.89 PEN 9.83

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 PEN 4.35

Eggs

$3.93 PEN 13.37

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.60 PEN 15.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.96 PEN 16.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.91 PEN 23.49

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 PEN 7.95

Banana (1kg)

$0.73 PEN 2.47

Oranges (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.38

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 PEN 3.28

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.56

Onion (1kg)

$0.99 PEN 3.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 PEN 2.36

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 PEN 2.38

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.97 PEN 16.90

Wine (Bottle)

$5.82 PEN 19.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 PEN 6.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 PEN 10.82

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 PEN 0.99

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 PEN 5.78

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 PEN 5.64

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 PEN 9.30

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.50 PEN 5.10

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

$18.8K PEN 64.0K

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

$22.3K PEN 75.8K

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

$33.90 PEN 115

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

$13.93 PEN 47.35

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.38 PEN 103

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.36 PEN 103

Cinema Ticket

$4.79 PEN 16.30

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.64 PEN 121

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.22 PEN 95.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.1 PEN 214

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.9 PEN 241

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$311 PEN 1,057

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$247 PEN 841

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$584 PEN 1,985

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$419 PEN 1,426

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,773 PEN 12.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,760 PEN 5,985

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$426 PEN 1,447

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 8, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: June 8, 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 Tarapoto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tarapoto is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 2368% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,143 in Cusco and $46.32 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.

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.

For families, Tarapoto 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 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 2368% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.