Cost of Living in Iquitos - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $641 per month with rent, or $300 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,151 per month with rent, or $674 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,661 per month with rent, or $1,048 without housing.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.21 PEN 14.33

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.35 PEN 124

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.14 PEN 24.29

Cappuccino

$3.31 PEN 11.27

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

$0.86 PEN 2.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 PEN 3.25

$0.55 PEN 1.88

$1.37 PEN 4.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.80 PEN 9.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.75 PEN 22.96

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 PEN 5.72

White Bread (500g)

$2.23 PEN 7.59

Eggs

$2.40 PEN 8.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.11 PEN 10.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.80 PEN 2.71

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

$33.94 PEN 115

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

$10.94 PEN 37.22

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.52 PEN 28.99

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.43 PEN 93.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.41 PEN 28.60

Cinema Ticket

$5.59 PEN 19.02

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,624 PEN 8,927

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$84.2 PEN 286

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.40 PEN 114

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$50.7 PEN 173

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.26 PEN 86.0

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$339 PEN 1,153

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$245 PEN 835

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$845 PEN 2,875

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$691 PEN 2,351

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$583 PEN 1,983

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $339, dropping to $245 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 58% of the average salary ($583) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $583 – below monthly costs of $641. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $74.0 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $36.00.

Cost Highlights

Iquitos has the cheapest internet in South America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is cheaper than 95% of cities in South America

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 93% of cities in South America

Iquitos 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 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 $641 a month in Iquitos if you're renting, or around $300 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 $641 per month with rent, or $300 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $962 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.

In Iquitos's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $339 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $245. 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 $27.43 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 $74.0 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 $641, 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 $641. 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 $641 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 $641 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.