Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lima and Clinton, IA

For one person, living is cheaper in Lima: $1,042 a month against $2,426 in Clinton, IA, rent and utilities included – about $16,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lima, Peru
Clinton, IA, United States
Lima
🇵🇪 Peru
$1,042
/mo nomad
Clinton, IA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,426
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lima and in Clinton, IA

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 Clinton, IA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,042 per month in Lima vs $2,426 in Clinton, IA, rent included.

  • Lima $1,042
  • Clinton, IA $2,426

A couple spends around $1,651 per month in Lima vs $3,444 in Clinton, IA, rent included.

  • Lima $1,651
  • Clinton, IA $3,444

A family of three spends $2,259 per month in Lima vs $4,462 in Clinton, IA, rent included.

  • Lima $2,259
  • Clinton, IA $4,462

Lima is about 57% cheaper than Clinton, IA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Lima sits 23% below the global median, while Clinton, IA is 79% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.64 PEN 15.95
$7.15 $7.15
-35.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.34 PEN 118
$50.3 $50.3
-31.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.01 PEN 24.12
$11.77 $11.77
-40.44%
Cappuccino
$3.22 PEN 11.09
$5.66 $5.66
-43.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13 PEN 3.90
$3.04 $3.04
-62.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 PEN 2.09
$2.03 $2.03
-69.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 PEN 10.08
$6.66 $6.66
-56.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 PEN 14.63
$7.28 $7.28
-41.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 PEN 5.44
$0.76 $0.76
107.89%
White Bread (500g)
$2.61 PEN 8.98
$2.22 $2.22
17.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.30 PEN 4.47
$2.22 $2.22
-41.44%
Eggs
$2.92 PEN 10.05
$1.96 $1.96
48.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.54 PEN 32.82
$13.40 $13.40
-28.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 PEN 19.66
$6.79 $6.79
-15.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.47 PEN 32.58
$19.92 $19.92
-52.46%
Apples (1kg)
$2.01 PEN 6.91
$2.25 $2.25
-10.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 PEN 3.52
$1.60 $1.60
-36.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45 PEN 4.99
$3.38 $3.38
-57.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 PEN 5.14
$2.26 $2.26
-34.07%
Potato (1kg)
$0.91 PEN 3.14
$1.12 $1.12
-18.75%
Onion (1kg)
$0.89 PEN 3.07
$2.25 $2.25
-60.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.86 PEN 2.97
$2.02 $2.02
-57.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 PEN 3.06
$2.26 $2.26
-60.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.47 PEN 18.83
$10.63 $10.63
-48.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 PEN 35.00
$15.36 $15.36
-33.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 PEN 6.21
$2.68 $2.68
-32.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 PEN 10.84
$4.35 $4.35
-27.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 PEN 2.28
$1.88 $1.88
-64.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.89 PEN 110
$64.9 $64.9
-50.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 PEN 11.79
$4.06 $4.06
-15.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.98 PEN 6.80
$1.99 $1.99
-0.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.60 PEN 33.04
$43.43 $43.43
-77.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.71 PEN 5.89
$1.01 $1.01
69.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9K PEN 75.3K
$30.7K $30.7K
-28.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0K PEN 100.0K
$26.1K $26.1K
11.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.8 PEN 227
$252 $252
-73.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.26 PEN 52.5
$32.28 $32.28
-52.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.87 PEN 92.5
$47.74 $47.74
-43.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.91 PEN 113
$39.25 $39.25
-16.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.12 PEN 69.2
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 PEN 24.49
$10.18 $10.18
-30.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 PEN 1,064
$1,595 $1,595
-80.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.4K PEN 73.5K
$21.4K $21.4K
-0.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.0 PEN 179
$61.7 $61.7
-15.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.69 PEN 123
$47.50 $47.50
-24.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 PEN 281
$79.7 $79.7
2.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0 PEN 268
$123 $123
-36.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$727 PEN 2,501
$686 $686
6.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$373 PEN 1,284
$1,257 $1,257
-70.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,249 PEN 4,297
$2,582 $2,582
-51.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$739 PEN 2,544
$2,078 $2,078
-64.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,380 PEN 8,191
$2,568 $2,568
-7.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,365 PEN 4,697
$2,221 $2,221
-38.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lima
Clinton, IA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$650 PEN 2,238
$5,519 $5,519
-88.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.38
6
39.67%

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

Last update for Lima: October 31, 2026

Last update for Clinton, IA: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lima
$373
Clinton, IA
$1.3K 237% $884
Groceries & Markets
Lima
$228
Clinton, IA
$322 41.2% $94
Eating Out
Lima
$127
Clinton, IA
$229 80.1% $102
Clothing & Footwear
Lima
$111
Clinton, IA
$140 26% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
$108
Clinton, IA
$332 208% $224
Getting Around
Lima
$48
Clinton, IA
$86 80.6% $39
Sport & Entertainment
Lima
$47
Clinton, IA
$60 26.4% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $727 in Lima versus $686 in Clinton, IA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Clinton, IA are about 8.5 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Lima versus $50 in Clinton, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $228 vs $322 – making Lima the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇪 Lima
🇺🇸 Clinton, IA
🕒 Local time
02:00 2:00 AM
01:00 1:00 AM
1 h behind Lima
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,989,369 Capital
45,884
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PEN – Peruvian Sol Converter

Peruvian Sol exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 3.44 PEN (1 PEN = 0.291 USD). 1 EUR = 3.86 PEN (1 PEN = 0.259 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lima Clinton, IA 6,140 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lima
  • Clinton, IA

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 Clinton, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lima or Clinton, IA?
Clinton, IA costs about 133% more than Lima, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Lima and in Clinton, IA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,564 per month in Lima and $3,639 in Clinton, IA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Lima compared to Clinton, IA?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $727 in Lima and $686 in Clinton, IA. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
How do childcare costs compare in Lima and in Clinton, IA?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Lima and $1,595 in Clinton, IA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Lima or in Clinton, IA?
Groceries cost about 41% more in Clinton, IA, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lima or in Clinton, IA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Lima, where all-in costs run around $1,042, than in Clinton, IA at $2,426. In Lima it covers expenses comfortably, while in Clinton, IA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Lima or Clinton, IA?
It depends on your priorities. Lima has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,042 in Lima to $2,426 in Clinton, IA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Lima or to Clinton, IA?
If budget matters most, go with Lima. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Clinton, IA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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