Measurement units Temperature, distance and clock format
Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Lima and Calgary
For one person, living is cheaper in Lima: $996 a month against $2,232 in Calgary, rent and utilities included – about $14,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lima and in Calgary actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $996 in Lima versus $2,232 in Calgary.
Lima $996
Calgary $2,232
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,594 in Lima versus $3,363 in Calgary.
Lima $1,594
Calgary $3,363
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,191 in Lima versus $4,493 in Calgary.
Lima $2,191
Calgary $4,493
🌍
Living in Lima costs roughly 55% less than in Calgary, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
The two cities straddle the global median: Lima is 26% below, Calgary is 67% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.42PEN 15.21
$17.22CA$24.49
-74.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.04PEN 121
$71.2CA$101
-50.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.84PEN 23.52
$10.56CA$15.02
-35.23%
Cappuccino
$3.27PEN 11.26
$3.77CA$5.37
-13.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10PEN 3.80
$1.91CA$2.72
-42.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65PEN 2.23
$1.84CA$2.62
-64.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.58PEN 8.88
$4.86CA$6.92
-46.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47PEN 15.39
$5.55CA$7.90
-19.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59PEN 5.48
$1.88CA$2.67
-15.43%
White Bread(500g)
$2.58PEN 8.89
$2.73CA$3.88
-5.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.36PEN 4.67
$5.34CA$7.60
-74.53%
Eggs
$2.95PEN 10.14
$3.77CA$5.36
-21.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.10PEN 31.30
$11.29CA$16.06
-19.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.81PEN 19.98
$11.46CA$16.30
-49.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.83PEN 33.80
$18.26CA$25.97
-46.17%
Apples(1kg)
$2.01PEN 6.92
$4.64CA$6.60
-56.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08PEN 3.70
$1.44CA$2.04
-25.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.37PEN 4.71
$4.22CA$6.01
-67.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48PEN 5.08
$3.86CA$5.49
-61.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96PEN 3.32
$2.62CA$3.73
-63.36%
Onion(1kg)
$0.85PEN 2.93
$2.66CA$3.78
-68.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.88PEN 3.03
$2.59CA$3.68
-66.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87PEN 2.98
$1.53CA$2.18
-43.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.90PEN 20.31
$14.26CA$20.28
-58.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.81PEN 30.31
$15.27CA$21.71
-42.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92PEN 6.59
$2.41CA$3.43
-20.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20PEN 11.02
$3.09CA$4.40
3.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Lima
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.68PEN 2.33
$2.88CA$4.10
-76.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.74PEN 92.0
$88.7CA$126
-69.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.81PEN 13.10
$3.23CA$4.60
17.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04PEN 7.02
$1.38CA$1.97
47.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.14PEN 24.57
$26.49CA$37.67
-73.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.65PEN 5.67
$1.18CA$1.67
39.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2KPEN 76.3K
$28.3KCA$40.2K
-21.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7KPEN 88.3K
$20.7KCA$29.5K
23.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.0PEN 251
$159CA$227
-54.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.26PEN 55.9
$37.61CA$53.5
-56.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.60PEN 94.9
$49.68CA$70.7
-44.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.07PEN 114
$53.3CA$75.7
-37.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.49PEN 67.1
$18.31CA$26.04
6.44%
Cinema Ticket
$7.39PEN 25.41
$14.08CA$20.02
-47.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$182PEN 626
$809CA$1,151
-77.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KPEN 45.8K
$15.9KCA$22.5K
-15.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.6PEN 181
$58.8CA$83.6
-10.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.23PEN 118
$38.84CA$55.2
-11.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.8PEN 288
$91.4CA$130
-8.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.0PEN 272
$109CA$155
-27.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lima
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$723PEN 2,488
$1,237CA$1,760
-41.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$340PEN 1,170
$996CA$1,417
-65.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,184PEN 4,074
$1,908CA$2,714
-37.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$635PEN 2,183
$1,671CA$2,377
-62.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,449PEN 8,423
$3,530CA$5,022
-30.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372PEN 4,718
$3,336CA$4,745
-58.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lima
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$653PEN 2,245
$3,130CA$4,452
-79.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.94
4.51
98.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lima: October 4, 2026
Last update for Calgary: October 3, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Lima
$340 33.6%
Calgary
$996 44.8% ↑ 193%$656
🛒Groceries & Markets
Lima
$226 22.4%
Calgary
$387 17.4% ↑ 71.1%$161
🍽Eating Out
Lima
$124 12.3%
Calgary
$265 11.9% ↑ 114%$141
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
$117 11.6%
Calgary
$247 11.1% ↑ 111%$130
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Lima
$112 11.1%
Calgary
$134 6% ↑ 19.4%$22
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Lima
$48 4.7%
Calgary
$81 3.7% ↑ 70.1%$34
🚌Getting Around
Lima
$43 4.3%
Calgary
$110 5% ↑ 154%$67
🏠Accommodation & Living
Lima
$635 29.5%
Calgary
$1.7K 37.7% ↑ 163%$1K
🛒Groceries & Markets
Lima
$517 24%
Calgary
$886 20% ↑ 71.3%$369
🍽Eating Out
Lima
$417 19.3%
Calgary
$893 20.1% ↑ 114%$476
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
$133 6.2%
Calgary
$284 6.4% ↑ 113%$151
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Lima
$250 11.6%
Calgary
$298 6.7% ↑ 19.4%$48
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Lima
$115 5.4%
Calgary
$181 4.1% ↑ 57.2%$66
🚌Getting Around
Lima
$88 4.1%
Calgary
$227 5.1% ↑ 157%$138
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $723 in Lima and $1,237 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 380% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $35.00 in Lima vs $71.0 in Calgary for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $387 per month, with Lima cheaper across the board.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Lima vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Lima?
Lima is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 124% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lima or Calgary?
On paper, salaries run 380% lower in Calgary. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Lima and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $723 in Lima versus $1,237 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Lima or in Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Lima – a meal for two runs $35.00 versus $71.0 in Calgary. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Lima and in Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $996 per month in Lima versus $2,232 in Calgary – a 124% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Lima or in Calgary?
At $996 in Lima versus $2,232 in Calgary, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lima but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Lima the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lima or Calgary more family-friendly?
For families, Lima is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Calgary, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Lima gentler on the wallet – expenses run 124% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.