Last update: Oct 2026 Peru 428.5K

Cost of Living in Cusco

For one person, living costs in Cusco are estimated at $692 a month, including rent and utilities – 17% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

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Cusco

🇵🇪 Peru

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cusco

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cusco actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $692 monthly including rent, or $469 excluding housing.

$692 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,102 with rent, or $766 without housing.

$1,102 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,512 including rent, or $1,062 for daily expenses alone.

$1,512 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.07 PEN 7.11

$2.96 PEN 10.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.09 PEN 69.0

$17.22 PEN 59.2

$34.44 PEN 118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.49 PEN 22.28

$5.77 PEN 19.83

$7.20 PEN 24.74

Cappuccino

$2.18 PEN 7.48

$1.48 PEN 5.09

$3.56 PEN 12.22

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 PEN 2.67

$0.69 PEN 2.38

$0.90 PEN 3.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 PEN 1.12

$0.28 PEN 0.95

$0.42 PEN 1.45

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.70 PEN 5.83

$1.42 PEN 4.86

$2.26 PEN 7.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.23 PEN 14.51

$2.25 PEN 7.74

$4.23 PEN 14.51

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 PEN 4.33

$0.94 PEN 3.22

$1.72 PEN 5.89

White Bread (500g)

$2.31 PEN 7.92

$1.68 PEN 5.76

$2.95 PEN 10.12

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 PEN 4.46

$1.15 PEN 3.95

$1.44 PEN 4.94

Eggs

$3.52 PEN 12.07

$2.04 PEN 7.01

$5.11 PEN 17.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.68 PEN 16.07

$2.83 PEN 9.73

$6.53 PEN 22.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.39 PEN 15.08

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.12 PEN 24.44

$5.69 PEN 19.55

$8.54 PEN 29.32

Apples (1kg)

$2.66 PEN 9.15

$2.37 PEN 8.13

$2.96 PEN 10.16

Banana (1kg)

$0.82 PEN 2.81

$0.45 PEN 1.54

$1.19 PEN 4.07

Oranges (1kg)

$1.42 PEN 4.89

$0.85 PEN 2.93

$1.99 PEN 6.84

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.09

Potato (1kg)

$1.03 PEN 3.55

$0.88 PEN 3.03

$1.18 PEN 4.04

Onion (1kg)

$1.12 PEN 3.85

$0.75 PEN 2.58

$1.49 PEN 5.12

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.53 PEN 1.84

$0.30 PEN 1.04

$0.77 PEN 2.63

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 PEN 2.57

$0.60 PEN 2.04

$0.89 PEN 3.07

Wine (Bottle)

$5.86 PEN 20.13

$4.39 PEN 15.07

$7.33 PEN 25.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 PEN 6.63

$1.48 PEN 5.09

$2.54 PEN 8.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.13 PEN 14.18

$3.98 PEN 13.67

$4.27 PEN 14.65

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.28 PEN 0.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.73 PEN 5.94

$2.02 PEN 6.93

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 PEN 6.58

$1.76 PEN 6.06

$2.06 PEN 7.07

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 PEN 10.10

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 PEN 5.39

$1.19 PEN 4.09

$1.74 PEN 5.98

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29.2K PEN 100.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$28.88 PEN 99.2

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.39 PEN 49.41

$8.63 PEN 29.64

$14.39 PEN 49.41

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.08 PEN 151

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.16 PEN 100

$23.34 PEN 80.1

$35.00 PEN 120

Cinema Ticket

$4.47 PEN 15.35

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.01 PEN 127

$19.93 PEN 68.4

$54.1 PEN 186

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.94 PEN 117

$14.76 PEN 50.7

$53.1 PEN 182

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.6 PEN 187

$35.38 PEN 122

$73.7 PEN 253

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.3 PEN 252

$58.6 PEN 201

$87.9 PEN 302

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$214 PEN 736

$143 PEN 491

$286 PEN 982

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$194 PEN 666

$58.2 PEN 200

$291 PEN 999

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$539 PEN 1,850

$350 PEN 1,200

$728 PEN 2,501

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$421 PEN 1,446

$261 PEN 898

$581 PEN 1,995

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,183 PEN 10.9K

$2,569 PEN 8,823

$3,797 PEN 13.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,825 PEN 6,269

$1,737 PEN 5,965

$1,914 PEN 6,573

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$420 PEN 1,442

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Cusco $692

Accommodation & Living

$194 28%

Groceries & Markets

$187 27%

Clothing & Footwear

$89 12.9%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$87 12.6%

Eating Out

$84 12.1%

Sport & Entertainment

$38 5.5%

Getting Around

$12 * 1.8%

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

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $214 for a central one-bedroom, or $194 outside the center. At 51% of the average salary ($420), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $420, while typical expenses reach $692. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $187 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $20.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Cusco has the 9th cheapest meal at budget restaurant in South America

Imported beer is more expensive than 97% of cities in South America

Internet is more expensive than 95% of cities in South America

Good to know

🕒 Local time

10:51 10:51 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

428,450

💱 Currency

Peruvian Sol PEN S/

📈 Exchange rate

1 PEN = 0.291 USD

1 PEN = 0.259 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Cusco

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Cusco Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Cusco - Frequently Asked Questions

People often find Cusco fairly affordable for travelers and digital nomads, especially if you blend local options with smart housing choices. In general, groceries and public transport are comfortable to manage without high costs, while tourist areas can push prices higher for short-term stays and services. The Cost of Living in Cusco is typically more accessible than many large cities in the region, particularly when you avoid peak tourist corridors and seasonal events. Choose a neighborhood a quick bus ride from the plaza, where cafés and markets offer good value, and look for longer rental terms to steady expenses. Seasonal fluctuations can shift lodging and tours, so plan ahead. Tip: map out a monthly baseline for groceries, transit, and coworking to stay on track.

Daily life centers on a mix of local and imported conveniences. For housing, look beyond the busiest plazas to quieter hillside areas where rents and utilities can be friendlier, with many furnished flats and simple studios available. Food options range from mercados and street stalls to mid-range restaurants; cooking at home with fresh produce keeps costs predictable. Transport is practical via collectivos, buses, or bikes; walking is pleasant in many neighborhoods. For work or study, several coworking spaces offer reliable internet and community. When you search, consider proximity to markets, safety, and WiFi. Cusco living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so plan ahead and compare options. Tip: Build a simple search routine that checks at least weekly for new listings and prices.

Quality of life in Cusco blends outdoor access, cultural richness, and pace of life. Build a simple budgeting framework: set categories (housing, food, transport, activities) and check in weekly. Save by choosing local markets, using public transport, and favoring free or low-cost attractions like museums on free days. Seasonality matters: low-season travel can ease prices, while high season brings crowds but more events and perhaps more coworking options. For neighborhood fit, try San Blas for charm and compact streets, or Wanchaq for a more residential feel with easier access to transit; spend a few evenings in each area to understand noise, safety, and distance to services. Tip: Map a weekly plan that aligns workdays with affordable local activities to keep both mood and budget steady.

Your money goes further in Cusco than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $692 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.

About 51% of the average paycheck in Cusco goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.

Earning $1,037 monthly in Cusco means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Cusco range from $194 to $214, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

Fitness in Cusco is cheap at around $29.16 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.

Cusco is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $187, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.

$1,000 stretches far in Cusco – all-in monthly costs average only $692. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Expats in Cusco enjoy fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, and monthly costs average around $692. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.

Monthly expenses in Cusco run around $692, so putting money aside takes more than $1,037 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travelers love Cusco – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $692 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.