Cost of Living Comparison Between Huaraz and Cajamarca Cost of Living Comparison Between Huaraz and Cajamarca

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $111 in Huaraz versus $654 in Cajamarca.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $189 in Huaraz versus $1,105 in Cajamarca.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $267 in Huaraz versus $1,555 in Cajamarca.

Living in Huaraz costs roughly 83% less than in Cajamarca, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Huaraz 92% lower, Cajamarca 51% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.14 PEN 10.68

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.99 PEN 95.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.99 PEN 20.36

Cappuccino

$2.84 PEN 9.66

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

$0.82 PEN 2.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 PEN 1.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 PEN 7.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.40 PEN 11.56

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 PEN 6.45

$1.26 PEN 4.29

50.79%

White Bread (500g)

$1.08 PEN 3.68

$3.11 PEN 10.58

-65.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.85 PEN 2.88

$1.04 PEN 3.54

-18.27%

Eggs

$1.35 PEN 4.60

$2.05 PEN 6.99

-34.15%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.63 PEN 19.16

$6.10 PEN 20.75

-7.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.66 PEN 19.26

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.99 PEN 23.76

$12.17 PEN 41.38

-42.56%

Apples (1kg)

$0.82 PEN 2.78

$1.01 PEN 3.42

-18.81%

Banana (1kg)

$0.54 PEN 1.84

$0.75 PEN 2.54

-28.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 PEN 2.92

$0.89 PEN 3.02

-3.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.57 PEN 1.94

$1.00 PEN 3.40

-43.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.85 PEN 2.88

$0.71 PEN 2.41

19.72%

Onion (1kg)

$0.57 PEN 1.96

$0.98 PEN 3.32

-41.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 PEN 1.96

$0.67 PEN 2.29

-13.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 PEN 0.99

$0.77 PEN 2.60

-62.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.12 PEN 27.60

Wine (Bottle)

$10.25 PEN 34.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PEN 5.74

$2.44 PEN 8.30

-30.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 PEN 6.71

$2.29 PEN 7.79

-13.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 PEN 1.86

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.12 PEN 27.60

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.69 PEN 5.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.20 PEN 4.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.73 PEN 16.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 PEN 4.93

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

$22.3K PEN 75.8K

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

$23.9K PEN 81.2K

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

$45.45 PEN 155

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

$9.08 PEN 30.88

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.76 PEN 91.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.45 PEN 96.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.19 PEN 65.3

Cinema Ticket

$4.64 PEN 15.77

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$130 PEN 443

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,123 PEN 14.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.73 PEN 166

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.67 PEN 94.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 PEN 263

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.7 PEN 264

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$201 PEN 683

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.8 PEN 336

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$507 PEN 1,723

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$293 PEN 997

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,310 PEN 7,855

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$721 PEN 2,453

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.5

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

Last update for Huaraz: July 28, 2026

Last update for Cajamarca: July 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 Cajamarca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Huaraz is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 488% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $167 in Huaraz and $982 in Cajamarca 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 88% higher in Cajamarca. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $111 per month in Huaraz versus $654 in Cajamarca – a 488% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Huaraz and Cajamarca 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 Huaraz gentler on the wallet – expenses run 488% less than in Cajamarca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.