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: $765 in Cusco versus $31.71 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,172 in Cusco versus $48.00 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,579 in Cusco versus $65.2 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cusco is roughly 2311% 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

$2.86 PEN 10.07

$2.70 PEN 9.51

5.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.88 PEN 98.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.63 PEN 19.82

Cappuccino

$2.06 PEN 7.26

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

$1.23 PEN 4.33

$0.80 PEN 2.82

53.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 PEN 2.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.18 PEN 7.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.07 PEN 14.32

$2.75 PEN 9.70

48.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 PEN 5.28

White Bread (500g)

$2.94 PEN 10.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 PEN 4.48

Eggs

$3.83 PEN 13.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.59 PEN 16.15

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.97 PEN 17.51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.72 PEN 23.66

Apples (1kg)

$2.42 PEN 8.54

Banana (1kg)

$0.77 PEN 2.73

Oranges (1kg)

$1.27 PEN 4.48

Tomato (1kg)

$0.95 PEN 3.33

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.69

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 PEN 3.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 PEN 2.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 PEN 2.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.89 PEN 17.22

Wine (Bottle)

$6.50 PEN 22.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 PEN 6.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 PEN 10.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 PEN 0.94

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 PEN 5.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.67 PEN 5.87

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.84 PEN 9.98

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 PEN 5.25

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

$18.4K PEN 64.9K

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

$21.8K PEN 76.6K

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

$33.97 PEN 120

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

$13.86 PEN 48.80

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.58 PEN 108

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.62 PEN 108

Cinema Ticket

$4.90 PEN 17.24

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.47 PEN 128

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.97 PEN 102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.4 PEN 216

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 PEN 250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$309 PEN 1,089

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$251 PEN 885

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$585 PEN 2,060

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$411 PEN 1,446

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,824 PEN 13.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,755 PEN 6,179

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$477 PEN 1,679

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Cusco: April 27, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: April 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 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 2311% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,147 in Cusco and $47.57 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 2311% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.