Cost of Living Comparison Between Pucallpa and Cusco Cost of Living Comparison Between Pucallpa and Cusco

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $453 in Pucallpa versus $765 in Cusco.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $745 in Pucallpa versus $1,172 in Cusco.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,036 in Pucallpa versus $1,579 in Cusco.

Living in Pucallpa costs roughly 41% less than in Cusco, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Pucallpa 66% lower, Cusco 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.25 PEN 7.89
$2.86 PEN 10.04
-21.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.32 PEN 39.72
$27.88 PEN 97.9
-59.40%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.01 PEN 17.60
$5.63 PEN 19.76
-11.01%
Cappuccino
$1.98 PEN 6.94
$2.06 PEN 7.24
-3.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95 PEN 3.33
$1.23 PEN 4.32
-22.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 PEN 0.94
$0.79 PEN 2.77
-65.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 PEN 6.04
$2.18 PEN 7.67
-21.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 PEN 7.97
$4.07 PEN 14.28
-44.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 PEN 3.45
$1.50 PEN 5.26
-34.67%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 PEN 12.51
$2.94 PEN 10.31
21.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.08 PEN 3.79
$1.27 PEN 4.46
-14.96%
Eggs
$1.65 PEN 5.79
$3.83 PEN 13.43
-56.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$1.89 PEN 6.63
$4.59 PEN 16.10
-58.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.98 PEN 13.97
$4.97 PEN 17.46
-19.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.41 PEN 11.97
$6.72 PEN 23.59
-49.26%
Apples (1kg)
$2.18 PEN 7.64
$2.42 PEN 8.51
-9.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.41 PEN 4.96
$0.77 PEN 2.72
83.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.42 PEN 5.00
$1.27 PEN 4.47
11.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.45 PEN 8.61
$0.95 PEN 3.32
157.89%
Potato (1kg)
$0.95 PEN 3.34
$1.05 PEN 3.68
-9.52%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 PEN 6.65
$1.02 PEN 3.57
86.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 PEN 2.66
$0.65 PEN 2.28
16.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 PEN 3.29
$0.74 PEN 2.61
27.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.38 PEN 15.37
$4.89 PEN 17.17
-10.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.70 PEN 27.03
$6.50 PEN 22.80
18.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 PEN 7.92
$1.98 PEN 6.94
14.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 PEN 11.76
$3.09 PEN 10.85
8.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.13 PEN 3.97
$0.27 PEN 0.94
318.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.35 PEN 4.75
$1.64 PEN 5.74
-17.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 PEN 1.81
$1.67 PEN 5.85
-68.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.84 PEN 9.95
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 PEN 4.12
$1.49 PEN 5.23
-20.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.4K PEN 64.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$21.8K PEN 76.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$49.63 PEN 174
$33.97 PEN 119
46.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.10 PEN 53.0
$13.86 PEN 48.66
8.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.63 PEN 146
$30.58 PEN 107
36.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$30.62 PEN 107
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.90 PEN 17.19
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.8 PEN 178
$36.47 PEN 128
39.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.11 PEN 116
$28.97 PEN 102
14.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$33.65 PEN 118
$61.4 PEN 216
-45.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.7 PEN 224
$71.0 PEN 249
-10.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$111 PEN 391
$309 PEN 1,086
-63.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$251 PEN 883
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$222 PEN 779
$585 PEN 2,054
-62.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$119 PEN 417
$411 PEN 1,442
-71.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,824 PEN 13.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,755 PEN 6,161
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pucallpa
Cusco
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$405 PEN 1,422
$477 PEN 1,674
-15.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
11
-

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

Last update for Pucallpa: April 26, 2026

Last update for Cusco: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $111 in Pucallpa and $309 in Cusco. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Cusco pays 18% 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: $11.00 in Pucallpa vs $28.00 in Cusco for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $184 vs $196 per month, with Pucallpa cheaper across the board.

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
Pucallpa vs Cusco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cusco cheaper than Pucallpa?
Pucallpa is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 69% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Pucallpa or Cusco?
On paper, Cusco earns 18% less. 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 Pucallpa and Cusco?
Rent for a central apartment: $111 in Pucallpa versus $309 in Cusco. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Pucallpa and Cusco?
Supermarket bills run roughly 7% higher in Cusco. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Pucallpa or Cusco?
Dining out is cheaper in Pucallpa – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $28.00 in Cusco. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $800 enough for either Pucallpa or Cusco?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Pucallpa gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Pucallpa or Cusco more family-friendly?
For families, Pucallpa is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cusco, 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 Pucallpa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 69% less than in Cusco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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