Cost of Living in Cusco - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $699 monthly including rent, or $419 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,042 with rent, or $748 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,385 including rent, or $1,076 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.51 PEN 8.43

$2.06 PEN 6.93

$2.94 PEN 9.90

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.88 PEN 70.2

$17.90 PEN 60.2

$35.14 PEN 118

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.44 PEN 21.64

$5.77 PEN 19.41

$7.09 PEN 23.82

Cappuccino

$2.23 PEN 7.50

$1.52 PEN 5.13

$3.65 PEN 12.28

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

$0.80 PEN 2.70

$0.71 PEN 2.39

$0.93 PEN 3.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 PEN 1.14

$0.29 PEN 0.98

$0.44 PEN 1.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.03 PEN 6.81

$1.45 PEN 4.88

$3.48 PEN 11.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.33 PEN 14.57

$2.31 PEN 7.77

$4.33 PEN 14.57

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 PEN 4.48

$0.97 PEN 3.25

$1.81 PEN 6.08

White Bread (500g)

$2.37 PEN 7.98

$1.70 PEN 5.70

$3.05 PEN 10.26

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 PEN 4.42

$1.17 PEN 3.92

$1.46 PEN 4.91

Eggs

$3.61 PEN 12.13

$2.10 PEN 7.05

$5.24 PEN 17.63

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.77 PEN 16.02

$2.89 PEN 9.71

$6.64 PEN 22.34

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.36 PEN 14.67

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.32 PEN 24.61

$5.85 PEN 19.67

$8.78 PEN 29.51

Apples (1kg)

$2.64 PEN 8.89

$2.36 PEN 7.92

$2.94 PEN 9.89

Banana (1kg)

$0.80 PEN 2.68

$0.44 PEN 1.47

$1.15 PEN 3.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 PEN 4.96

$0.88 PEN 2.96

$2.06 PEN 6.92

Tomato (1kg)

$0.88 PEN 2.94

Potato (1kg)

$1.06 PEN 3.56

$0.91 PEN 3.05

$1.21 PEN 4.07

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 PEN 3.63

$0.72 PEN 2.42

$1.45 PEN 4.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.83

$0.31 PEN 1.05

$0.77 PEN 2.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 PEN 2.38

$0.57 PEN 1.90

$0.85 PEN 2.87

Wine (Bottle)

$6.03 PEN 20.26

$4.53 PEN 15.21

$7.54 PEN 25.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 PEN 6.62

$1.53 PEN 5.14

$2.56 PEN 8.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.26 PEN 14.33

$4.11 PEN 13.83

$4.41 PEN 14.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.31 PEN 1.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.83 PEN 6.15

$1.53 PEN 5.15

$2.14 PEN 7.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.88 PEN 6.33

$1.74 PEN 5.83

$2.03 PEN 6.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 PEN 9.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 PEN 5.23

$1.19 PEN 4.00

$1.74 PEN 5.83

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

$29.75 PEN 100

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

$14.73 PEN 49.54

$8.84 PEN 29.72

$14.73 PEN 49.54

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.70 PEN 150

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.37 PEN 119

Cinema Ticket

$4.39 PEN 14.78

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.00 PEN 131

$21.01 PEN 70.6

$57.0 PEN 192

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.68 PEN 113

$14.64 PEN 49.21

$52.7 PEN 177

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.7 PEN 184

$35.50 PEN 119

$74.0 PEN 249

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.0 PEN 252

$60.0 PEN 202

$90.0 PEN 302

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 PEN 509

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$180 PEN 605

$60.0 PEN 202

$300 PEN 1,008

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$363 PEN 1,220

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$267 PEN 897

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,955 PEN 13.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,776 PEN 5,969

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$433 PEN 1,455

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $151 for a central one-bedroom, or $180 outside the center. At 35% of the average salary ($433), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $433, while typical expenses reach $699. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $190 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $21.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Cusco has the 8th cheapest 1-bedroom apartment, city center in South America

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

Meal at budget restaurant is cheaper than 97% of cities in South America

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

City tags:

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 $699 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.

About 35% 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 $1,049 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 $180 to $151, 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 $35.37 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 $190, 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 $699. 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 $699. 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 $699, so putting money aside takes more than $1,049 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 $699 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.