Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lima and Iola, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in Lima: $1,042 a month against $2,663 in Iola, KS, rent and utilities included – about $19,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lima, Peru
Iola, KS, United States
Lima
🇵🇪 Peru
$1,042
/mo nomad
Iola, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lima and in Iola, KS

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 Iola, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,042 per month in Lima vs $2,663 in Iola, KS, rent included.

  • Lima $1,042
  • Iola, KS $2,663

A couple spends around $1,651 per month in Lima vs $3,857 in Iola, KS, rent included.

  • Lima $1,651
  • Iola, KS $3,857

A family of three spends $2,259 per month in Lima vs $5,052 in Iola, KS, rent included.

  • Lima $2,259
  • Iola, KS $5,052

Lima is about 61% cheaper than Iola, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Lima sits 23% below the global median, while Iola, KS is 97% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.64 PEN 15.95
$28.05 $28.05
-83.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.34 PEN 118
$60.4 $60.4
-43.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.01 PEN 24.12
$10.79 $10.79
-35.03%
Cappuccino
$3.22 PEN 11.09
$5.07 $5.07
-36.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13 PEN 3.90
$2.65 $2.65
-57.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 PEN 2.09
$2.20 $2.20
-72.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 PEN 10.08
$4.61 $4.61
-36.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 PEN 14.63
$6.31 $6.31
-32.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 PEN 5.44
$1.17 $1.17
35.04%
White Bread (500g)
$2.61 PEN 8.98
$4.38 $4.38
-40.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.30 PEN 4.47
$2.19 $2.19
-40.64%
Eggs
$2.92 PEN 10.05
$4.02 $4.02
-27.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.54 PEN 32.82
$11.04 $11.04
-13.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 PEN 19.66
$9.09 $9.09
-37.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.47 PEN 32.58
$15.34 $15.34
-38.27%
Apples (1kg)
$2.01 PEN 6.91
$4.32 $4.32
-53.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 PEN 3.52
$1.14 $1.14
-10.53%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45 PEN 4.99
$3.06 $3.06
-52.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 PEN 5.14
$4.33 $4.33
-65.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.91 PEN 3.14
$1.64 $1.64
-44.51%
Onion (1kg)
$0.89 PEN 3.07
$2.36 $2.36
-62.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.86 PEN 2.97
$1.77 $1.77
-51.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 PEN 3.06
$2.05 $2.05
-56.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.47 PEN 18.83
$7.82 $7.82
-30.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 PEN 35.00
$13.51 $13.51
-24.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 PEN 6.21
$1.77 $1.77
2.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 PEN 10.84
$3.85 $3.85
-18.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 PEN 2.28
$1.76 $1.76
-62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.89 PEN 110
$52.3 $52.3
-39.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 PEN 11.79
$3.03 $3.03
13.20%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.98 PEN 6.80
$1.41 $1.41
40.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.60 PEN 33.04
$36.55 $36.55
-73.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.71 PEN 5.89
$0.94 $0.94
81.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9K PEN 75.3K
$28.0K $28.0K
-22.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0K PEN 100.0K
$26.9K $26.9K
7.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.8 PEN 227
$268 $268
-75.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.26 PEN 52.5
$57.7 $57.7
-73.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.87 PEN 92.5
$73.6 $73.6
-63.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.91 PEN 113
$45.71 $45.71
-28.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.12 PEN 69.2
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 PEN 24.49
$13.01 $13.01
-45.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 PEN 1,064
$763 $763
-59.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.4K PEN 73.5K
$10.1K $10.1K
111.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.0 PEN 179
$71.4 $71.4
-27.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.69 PEN 123
$36.50 $36.50
-2.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 PEN 281
$79.6 $79.6
2.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0 PEN 268
$124 $124
-37.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$727 PEN 2,501
$1,598 $1,598
-54.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$373 PEN 1,284
$1,257 $1,257
-70.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,249 PEN 4,297
$2,588 $2,588
-51.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$739 PEN 2,544
$2,116 $2,116
-65.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,380 PEN 8,191
$3,091 $3,091
-22.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,365 PEN 4,697
$2,520 $2,520
-45.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lima
Iola, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$650 PEN 2,238
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.38
6.36
31.76%

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

Last update for Lima: October 31, 2026

Last update for Iola, KS: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lima
$373
Iola, KS
$1.3K 237% $884
Groceries & Markets
Lima
$228
Iola, KS
$352 54.4% $124
Eating Out
Lima
$127
Iola, KS
$373 194% $246
Clothing & Footwear
Lima
$111
Iola, KS
$140 26% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
$108
Iola, KS
$400 270% $292
Getting Around
Lima
$48
Iola, KS
$69 45.1% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Lima
$47
Iola, KS
$72 52.2% $25

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $727 in Lima versus $1,598 in Iola, KS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Lima versus $60 in Iola, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $228 vs $352 – making Lima the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇪 Lima
🇺🇸 Iola, KS
🕒 Local time
20:23 8:23 PM
19:23 7:23 PM
1 h behind Lima
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,989,369 Capital
5,400
💱 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 Iola, KS 5,880 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lima
  • Iola, KS

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 Iola, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lima or Iola, KS?
Iola, KS costs about 156% 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 Iola, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,564 per month in Lima and $3,995 in Iola, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lima or Iola, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lima, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $727 there versus $1,598 in Iola, KS.
Are groceries more expensive in Lima or in Iola, KS?
Groceries cost about 54% more in Iola, KS, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Lima and in Iola, KS?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Lima and $60 in Iola, KS. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lima or in Iola, KS?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Lima, where all-in costs run around $1,042, than in Iola, KS at $2,663. In Lima it covers expenses comfortably, while in Iola, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Lima – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Lima is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 61% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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