Cost of Living Comparison Between Huánuco and Cusco Cost of Living Comparison Between Huánuco and Cusco

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $109 in Huánuco versus $762 in Cusco.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $199 in Huánuco versus $1,171 in Cusco.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $289 in Huánuco versus $1,579 in Cusco.

Living in Huánuco costs roughly 86% less than in Cusco, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Huánuco 92% lower, Cusco 43% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 PEN 12.13

$2.79 PEN 9.49

27.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.87 PEN 60.8

$27.84 PEN 94.7

-35.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.50 PEN 18.70

Cappuccino

$2.02 PEN 6.87

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

$0.86 PEN 2.92

$1.21 PEN 4.12

-28.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.58 PEN 1.99

$0.78 PEN 2.66

-25.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.19 PEN 7.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 PEN 13.92

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

$1.58 PEN 5.37

$3.93 PEN 13.37

-59.80%

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)

$2.33 PEN 7.93

$2.34 PEN 7.95

-0.43%

Banana (1kg)

$0.73 PEN 2.47

Oranges (1kg)

$0.54 PEN 1.85

$1.29 PEN 4.38

-58.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 PEN 3.28

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 PEN 1.86

$1.05 PEN 3.56

-47.62%

Onion (1kg)

$0.99 PEN 3.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.27 PEN 0.91

$0.69 PEN 2.36

-60.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 PEN 1.85

$0.70 PEN 2.38

-21.43%

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)

$0.56 PEN 1.89

$1.66 PEN 5.64

-66.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 PEN 9.30

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 PEN 4.58

$1.50 PEN 5.10

-10.00%

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)

$24.99 PEN 85.0

$33.90 PEN 115

-26.28%

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

$13.93 PEN 47.35

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.75 PEN 67.1

$30.38 PEN 103

-34.99%

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)

$191 PEN 650

$584 PEN 1,985

-67.24%

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 Huánuco: June 8, 2026

Last update for Cusco: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $18.00 in Huánuco vs $28.00 in Cusco for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $29.00 vs $194 per month, with Huánuco cheaper across the board.

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

Huánuco vs Cusco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huánuco is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around, Clothing & Footwear. The 599% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $163 in Huánuco and $1,143 in Cusco 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 559% higher in Cusco. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Huánuco – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $28.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Huánuco gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

For families, Huánuco 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, Huánuco and Cusco 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 Huánuco gentler on the wallet – expenses run 599% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.