Last update: Oct 2026 Peru 32.9K

Cost of Living in Iquitos

For one person, living costs in Iquitos are estimated at $663 a month, including rent and utilities – 21% below the national average. Rent and utilities take just under half of the total.

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Iquitos

🇵🇪 Peru

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Iquitos

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

A single person spends around $663 per month with rent, or $363 for everyday expenses alone.

$663 /mo

A couple spends around $1,185 per month with rent, or $662 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,185 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,707 per month with rent, or $960 without housing.

$1,707 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.31 PEN 14.81

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.44 PEN 132

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.30 PEN 25.06

Cappuccino

$3.57 PEN 12.26

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

$0.85 PEN 2.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.56 PEN 1.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.82 PEN 9.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.41 PEN 25.45

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 PEN 6.05

White Bread (500g)

$2.30 PEN 7.91

Eggs

$2.56 PEN 8.80

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.28 PEN 11.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 PEN 3.07

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

$34.73 PEN 119

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

$11.34 PEN 38.95

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.74 PEN 30.03

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.05 PEN 99.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.75 PEN 30.06

Cinema Ticket

$5.64 PEN 19.37

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,789 PEN 9,576

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.7 PEN 301

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.24 PEN 121

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.9 PEN 182

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.21 PEN 90.0

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$343 PEN 1,180

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 PEN 909

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$882 PEN 3,029

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$712 PEN 2,445

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$573 PEN 1,968

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $343, dropping to $265 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 60% of the average salary ($573) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $573 – below monthly costs of $663. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $78.0 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $38.00.

Cost Highlights

Iquitos has the cheapest internet in South America

Chicken fillets is cheaper than 94% of cities in South America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is cheaper than 93% of cities in South America

Good to know

🕒 Local time

10:53 10:53 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

32,853

💱 Currency

Peruvian Sol PEN S/

📈 Exchange rate

1 PEN = 0.291 USD

1 PEN = 0.259 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Iquitos Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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 Iquitos - Frequently Asked Questions

In general, Cost of Living in Iquitos offers solid value for those who shop local and choose simple, well-located housing. You can balance comfort with budget by staying away from the most touristy riverfront zones, buying produce at mercados, and using public transport or river taxis for errands. Housing is often cheaper than in larger Peruvian cities, with options from modest apartments to small homes in quieter districts. Imported goods and niche services can raise costs, but practical, everyday needs stay accessible. Tip: identify 2–3 neighborhoods with walkable markets and test a week’s routines before signing a lease.

Daily life centers on markets, casual eateries, and flexible transport along both streets and the river. For housing, start with listings near the city center or Belén; factor boat or walk times when choosing location. Food options range from inexpensive street snacks to hearty local dishes; mercados offer fresh produce that helps keep meals affordable. Transport includes taxis, local buses, and river taxis for river trips. Errands are practical in most neighborhoods, with a few longer trips to the airport or ports. The Iquitos living cost remains modest when you lean on local goods and public transport. Tip: schedule errands after daylight and stay flexible with routes.

Quality of life in Iquitos comes from balancing outdoor days with indoor comfort, mindful spending, and choosing a neighborhood that fits your pace. A simple budgeting frame centers on housing quality, groceries from mercados, and discretionary use of services; adjust as you settle into a routine. Seasons influence heat, humidity, and travel – heavy rains can slow movement, sunny days invite river trips, and tourism ebbs and flows with the year. For neighborhood fit, consider Belén for river access and lively markets, San Juan for a more central vibe, and quieter residential lanes inland. Tip: build a rotating plan to test work hours, errands, and social spots.

Plan for roughly $663 a month in Iquitos if you're renting, or around $363 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.

For 2026, a single person in Iquitos should plan on about $663 per month with rent, or $363 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $994 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Iquitos. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.

A central one-bedroom apartment in Iquitos runs about $343 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $265. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.

A gym membership in Iquitos runs about $29.05 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.

Groceries in Iquitos are cheap – a single person spends about $78.0 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.

$1,000 a month in Iquitos? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $663, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

Quality of life in Iquitos is genuinely good – highlights include vibrant nightlife, clean air, wellness scene, and monthly costs hover around $663. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.

Iquitos is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $663 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Iquitos is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $663 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.