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: $688 in Cusco versus $105 in Tarapoto.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,096 in Cusco versus $226 in Tarapoto.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,505 in Cusco versus $347 in Tarapoto.

Living in Cusco is roughly 558% 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

$1.99 PEN 6.86

$2.84 PEN 9.78

-29.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.55 PEN 70.8

$29.08 PEN 100

-29.33%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.70 PEN 23.07

$7.23 PEN 24.89

-7.33%

Cappuccino

$2.11 PEN 7.25

$2.94 PEN 10.14

-28.23%

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

$0.78 PEN 2.69

$0.75 PEN 2.60

4.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 PEN 1.13

$0.56 PEN 1.93

-41.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 PEN 5.93

$2.92 PEN 10.06

-41.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.33 PEN 14.92

$3.20 PEN 11.03

35.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 PEN 4.28

White Bread (500g)

$2.32 PEN 7.98

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.44

Eggs

$3.63 PEN 12.50

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.69 PEN 16.16

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.43 PEN 15.26

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.37 PEN 25.38

Apples (1kg)

$2.55 PEN 8.79

Banana (1kg)

$0.77 PEN 2.64

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 PEN 5.05

Tomato (1kg)

$0.85 PEN 2.94

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 PEN 3.53

Onion (1kg)

$1.10 PEN 3.80

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.49 PEN 1.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 PEN 2.58

Wine (Bottle)

$5.93 PEN 20.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.85 PEN 6.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.12 PEN 14.17

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.30 PEN 1.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 PEN 5.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 PEN 6.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.82 PEN 9.70

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 PEN 5.42

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

$28.9K PEN 99.7K

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

$29.31 PEN 101

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

$14.31 PEN 49.28

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.13 PEN 152

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.51 PEN 98.2

Cinema Ticket

$4.26 PEN 14.66

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.39 PEN 129

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.43 PEN 115

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.4 PEN 187

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 PEN 249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$218 PEN 749

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$191 PEN 657

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$538 PEN 1,851

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$416 PEN 1,433

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,249 PEN 11.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,823 PEN 6,277

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$433 PEN 1,492

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

Last update for Cusco: October 3, 2026

Last update for Tarapoto: October 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $21.00 in Cusco vs $29.00 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 558% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,032 in Cusco and $157 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 $29.00 versus $21.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $688 per month in Cusco versus $105 in Tarapoto – a 558% 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 558% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.