Cost of Living Comparison Between Huaraz and Arequipa Cost of Living Comparison Between Huaraz and Arequipa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $111 per month in Huaraz vs $650 in Arequipa, rent included.

A couple spends around $187 per month in Huaraz vs $1,067 in Arequipa, rent included.

A family of three spends $263 per month in Huaraz vs $1,485 in Arequipa, rent included.

Huaraz is about 83% cheaper than Arequipa, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Huaraz and Arequipa are more affordable than the global median – Huaraz 92% lower, Arequipa 51% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$4.07 PENΒ 14.32
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$28.21 PENΒ 99.3
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.68 PENΒ 20.00
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.61 PENΒ 9.18
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.82 PENΒ 2.88
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.37 PENΒ 1.30
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.19 PENΒ 7.70
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.88 PENΒ 20.69
-
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.96 PENΒ 6.88
$1.53 PENΒ 5.40
28.10%
White Bread (500g)
$1.13 PENΒ 3.98
$1.27 PENΒ 4.46
-11.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.82 PENΒ 2.88
$1.22 PENΒ 4.28
-32.79%
Eggs
$1.43 PENΒ 5.02
$2.06 PENΒ 7.24
-30.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.64 PENΒ 19.85
$5.38 PENΒ 18.93
4.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$5.26 PENΒ 18.51
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.91 PENΒ 24.32
$7.45 PENΒ 26.22
-7.25%
Apples (1kg)
$0.79 PENΒ 2.79
$1.46 PENΒ 5.15
-45.89%
Banana (1kg)
$0.59 PENΒ 2.06
$1.22 PENΒ 4.28
-51.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.81 PENΒ 2.85
$1.19 PENΒ 4.17
-31.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.58 PENΒ 2.05
$0.77 PENΒ 2.71
-24.68%
Potato (1kg)
$0.85 PENΒ 3.01
$0.55 PENΒ 1.95
54.55%
Onion (1kg)
$0.58 PENΒ 2.04
$0.54 PENΒ 1.90
7.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.54 PENΒ 1.89
$0.44 PENΒ 1.55
22.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29 PENΒ 1.03
$0.76 PENΒ 2.66
-61.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.95 PENΒ 17.41
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$4.87 PENΒ 17.14
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 PENΒ 5.97
$2.40 PENΒ 8.43
-29.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 PENΒ 6.75
$2.32 PENΒ 8.15
-17.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.29 PENΒ 1.03
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.08 PENΒ 7.33
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$2.11 PENΒ 7.44
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$12.82 PENΒ 45.12
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.60 PENΒ 5.64
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.7K PENΒ 65.9K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.0K PENΒ 88.0K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$39.83 PENΒ 140
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$10.73 PENΒ 37.77
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$30.64 PENΒ 108
-
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$21.47 PENΒ 75.6
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$8.22 PENΒ 28.93
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.39 PENΒ 15.44
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$59.9 PENΒ 211
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$6,271 PENΒ 22.1K
-
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$36.93 PENΒ 130
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$22.01 PENΒ 77.5
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$61.6 PENΒ 217
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$55.1 PENΒ 194
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$245 PENΒ 861
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$156 PENΒ 549
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$542 PENΒ 1,908
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$384 PENΒ 1,350
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,995 PENΒ 7,023
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,002 PENΒ 3,526
-
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Huaraz
Arequipa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$631 PENΒ 2,222
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
15
-

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

Last update for Huaraz: April 28, 2026

Last update for Arequipa: April 27, 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
Huaraz vs Arequipa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Huaraz or Arequipa?
Arequipa costs about 483% more than Huaraz, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Huaraz vs Arequipa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $167 per month in Huaraz and $975 in Arequipa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Huaraz compared to Arequipa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $111 in Huaraz and $650 in Arequipa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Huaraz or Arequipa?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Arequipa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Huaraz or Arequipa?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $111 in Huaraz and $650 in Arequipa, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Huaraz or Arequipa?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Huaraz costs $111 versus $650 in Arequipa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Huaraz compared to Arequipa?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Huaraz or Arequipa?
If budget matters most, go with Huaraz. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Arequipa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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