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: $703 in Cusco versus $108 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,095 in Cusco versus $233 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,486 in Cusco versus $359 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cusco is roughly 553% more expensive than in Tarapoto, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco 49% lower, Tarapoto 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.48 PEN 8.33

$3.05 PEN 10.21

-18.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.09 PEN 118

$30.24 PEN 101

16.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.84 PEN 19.58

$7.45 PEN 24.96

-21.61%

Cappuccino

$2.16 PEN 7.23

$3.03 PEN 10.14

-28.71%

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

$0.74 PEN 2.47

$0.76 PEN 2.54

-2.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 PEN 1.22

$0.61 PEN 2.05

-40.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.44 PEN 8.19

$3.06 PEN 10.25

-20.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.51 PEN 15.12

$3.35 PEN 11.22

34.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 PEN 4.47

White Bread (500g)

$2.25 PEN 7.54

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 PEN 4.40

Eggs

$3.72 PEN 12.48

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.76 PEN 15.97

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.51 PEN 15.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.55 PEN 25.31

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 PEN 9.00

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 PEN 2.84

Oranges (1kg)

$1.51 PEN 5.06

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 PEN 3.07

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.52

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 PEN 3.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.80

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 PEN 2.56

Wine (Bottle)

$6.06 PEN 20.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 PEN 6.61

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.38 PEN 14.67

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 PEN 0.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.82 PEN 6.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.97 PEN 6.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 PEN 9.81

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.58 PEN 5.31

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

$29.76 PEN 99.8

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

$15.06 PEN 50.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.59 PEN 149

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.77 PEN 120

Cinema Ticket

$4.42 PEN 14.81

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.54 PEN 129

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.84 PEN 117

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.1 PEN 181

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.7 PEN 250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$149 PEN 498

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$178 PEN 598

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$353 PEN 1,185

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$264 PEN 886

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,905 PEN 13.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,775 PEN 5,952

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$442 PEN 1,482

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

Last update for Cusco: August 16, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: August 18, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $35.00 in Cusco vs $30.00 in Tarapoto 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 Tarapoto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tarapoto is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 553% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,054 in Cusco and $161 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.

Dining out is cheaper in Tarapoto – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $35.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $703 per month in Cusco versus $108 in Tarapoto – a 553% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 553% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.