Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lima and Joplin, MO

For one person, living is cheaper in Lima: $1,042 a month against $2,028 in Joplin, MO, rent and utilities included – about $11,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lima, Peru
Joplin, MO, United States
Lima
🇵🇪 Peru
$1,042
/mo nomad
Joplin, MO
🇺🇸 United States
$2,028
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lima and in Joplin, MO

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 Joplin, MO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,042 in Lima versus $2,028 in Joplin, MO.

  • Lima $1,042
  • Joplin, MO $2,028

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,651 in Lima versus $2,758 in Joplin, MO.

  • Lima $1,651
  • Joplin, MO $2,758

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,259 in Lima versus $3,488 in Joplin, MO.

  • Lima $2,259
  • Joplin, MO $3,488

Living in Lima costs roughly 49% less than in Joplin, MO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Lima is 23% below, Joplin, MO is 50% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.64 PEN 15.95
$14.80 $14.80
-68.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.34 PEN 118
$54.5 $54.5
-37.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.01 PEN 24.12
$10.43 $10.43
-32.79%
Cappuccino
$3.22 PEN 11.09
$4.44 $4.44
-27.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13 PEN 3.90
$2.01 $2.01
-43.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 PEN 2.09
$1.87 $1.87
-67.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 PEN 10.08
$5.40 $5.40
-45.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 PEN 14.63
$6.12 $6.12
-30.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 PEN 5.44
$0.84 $0.84
88.10%
White Bread (500g)
$2.61 PEN 8.98
$2.79 $2.79
-6.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.30 PEN 4.47
$2.15 $2.15
-39.53%
Eggs
$2.92 PEN 10.05
$3.17 $3.17
-7.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.54 PEN 32.82
$9.06 $9.06
5.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 PEN 19.66
$6.76 $6.76
-15.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.47 PEN 32.58
$17.22 $17.22
-45.01%
Apples (1kg)
$2.01 PEN 6.91
$3.78 $3.78
-46.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 PEN 3.52
$1.18 $1.18
-13.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45 PEN 4.99
$2.61 $2.61
-44.44%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 PEN 5.14
$2.14 $2.14
-30.37%
Potato (1kg)
$0.91 PEN 3.14
$1.24 $1.24
-26.61%
Onion (1kg)
$0.89 PEN 3.07
$2.33 $2.33
-61.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.86 PEN 2.97
$1.89 $1.89
-54.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 PEN 3.06
$2.20 $2.20
-59.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.47 PEN 18.83
$10.00 $10.00
-45.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 PEN 35.00
$15.19 $15.19
-33.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 PEN 6.21
$1.75 $1.75
3.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 PEN 10.84
$1.51 $1.51
108.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 PEN 2.28
$2.04 $2.04
-67.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.89 PEN 110
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 PEN 11.79
$2.51 $2.51
36.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.98 PEN 6.80
$1.57 $1.57
26.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.60 PEN 33.04
$39.72 $39.72
-75.83%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.71 PEN 5.89
$0.84 $0.84
103.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9K PEN 75.3K
$28.6K $28.6K
-23.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0K PEN 100.0K
$26.3K $26.3K
10.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.8 PEN 227
$270 $270
-75.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.26 PEN 52.5
$42.79 $42.79
-64.34%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.87 PEN 92.5
$63.6 $63.6
-57.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.91 PEN 113
$15.09 $15.09
118.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.12 PEN 69.2
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.12 PEN 24.49
$13.52 $13.52
-47.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 PEN 1,064
$921 $921
-66.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.4K PEN 73.5K
$17.9K $17.9K
19.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.0 PEN 179
$40.60 $40.60
28.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.69 PEN 123
$30.26 $30.26
17.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 PEN 281
$98.4 $98.4
-16.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0 PEN 268
$70.7 $70.7
10.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$727 PEN 2,501
$1,227 $1,227
-40.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$373 PEN 1,284
$924 $924
-59.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,249 PEN 4,297
$1,702 $1,702
-26.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$739 PEN 2,544
$1,229 $1,229
-39.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,380 PEN 8,191
$1,485 $1,485
60.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,365 PEN 4,697
$1,513 $1,513
-9.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lima
Joplin, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$650 PEN 2,238
$3,276 $3,276
-80.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.38
6.49
29.12%

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

Last update for Lima: October 31, 2026

Last update for Joplin, MO: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lima
$373
Joplin, MO
$924 148% $551
Groceries & Markets
Lima
$228
Joplin, MO
$302 32.3% $74
Eating Out
Lima
$127
Joplin, MO
$258 103% $131
Clothing & Footwear
Lima
$111
Joplin, MO
$108 3% $3.3
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lima
$108
Joplin, MO
$376 248% $268
Getting Around
Lima
$48
Joplin, MO
$19 * 61.2% $29
Sport & Entertainment
Lima
$47
Joplin, MO
$42 10.6% $5

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $727 in Lima and $1,227 in Joplin, MO. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Joplin, MO pays about 5 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $34 in Lima vs $55 in Joplin, MO for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $228 vs $302 per month, with Lima cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇪 Lima
🇺🇸 Joplin, MO
🕒 Local time
01:18 1:18 AM
00:18 12:18 AM
1 h behind Lima
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,989,369 Capital
51,762
💱 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 Joplin, MO 5,760 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lima
  • Joplin, MO

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 Joplin, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lima cheaper than Joplin, MO?
Lima is about 49% cheaper overall, especially in eating out, groceries, and utilities. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lima or Joplin, MO?
On paper, salaries run 80% lower in Lima. 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 Joplin, MO?
Rent for a central apartment: $727 in Lima versus $1,227 in Joplin, MO. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Lima and in Joplin, MO?
Supermarket bills run roughly 32% higher in Joplin, MO. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Lima and in Joplin, MO?
All in, you’ll spend $1,042 per month in Lima versus $2,028 in Joplin, MO – Lima is about 49% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Lima or in Joplin, MO?
At $1,042 in Lima versus $2,028 in Joplin, MO, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lima but tight or insufficient in Joplin, MO. The gap between the two cities makes Lima the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Lima or in Joplin, MO?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
It comes down to priorities – Lima wins on affordability, Joplin, MO on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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