Cost of Living in La Merced - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $480 (excluding rent), and $533 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,136 (excluding rent), and $1,185 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.14 PEN 14.94

$3.3 PEN 11.93

$11.02 PEN 39.82

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.95 PEN 123

$25.47 PEN 92

$56.6 PEN 204

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.06 PEN 25.5

$5.65 PEN 20.43

$8.47 PEN 30.6

Cappuccino

$2.56 PEN 9.23

$0.95 PEN 3.44

$4.1 PEN 14.81

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

$0.92 PEN 3.31

$0.67 PEN 2.4

$2.14 PEN 7.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 PEN 2.24

$0.41 PEN 1.49

$1.37 PEN 4.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.17 PEN 7.84

$1.36 PEN 4.91

$3.8 PEN 13.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.81 PEN 13.78

$2.73 PEN 9.85

$5.45 PEN 19.69

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 PEN 5.1

$1.08 PEN 3.9

$2.71 PEN 9.78

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 PEN 7.14

$1.59 PEN 5.74

$5.66 PEN 20.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.24 PEN 4.48

$0.82 PEN 2.97

$1.92 PEN 6.95

Eggs

$2.27 PEN 8.22

$1.59 PEN 5.74

$4.44 PEN 16.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.86 PEN 24.78

$2.75 PEN 9.93

$19.22 PEN 69.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.48 PEN 19.8

$2.46 PEN 8.9

$9.58 PEN 34.61

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.53 PEN 30.83

$7.11 PEN 25.69

$14.23 PEN 51.4

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 PEN 3.49

$0.87 PEN 3.15

$2.92 PEN 10.54

Banana (1kg)

$0.4 PEN 1.46

$1.86 PEN 6.73

Oranges (1kg)

$0.27 PEN 0.97

$1.92 PEN 6.95

Tomato (1kg)

$0.7 PEN 2.55

$0.57 PEN 2.07

$1.98 PEN 7.16

Potato (1kg)

$0.29 PEN 1.05

$2 PEN 7.22

Onion (1kg)

$0.4 PEN 1.45

$1.6 PEN 5.77

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.94

$0.4 PEN 1.45

$1.99 PEN 7.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 PEN 3.4

$0.59 PEN 2.12

$2.03 PEN 7.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.42 PEN 19.6

$4.74 PEN 17.13

$5.42 PEN 19.6

Wine (Bottle)

$7.06 PEN 25.5

$4.52 PEN 16.32

$14.13 PEN 51

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 PEN 6.32

$1.12 PEN 4.05

$2.4 PEN 8.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 PEN 10.95

$1.95 PEN 7.06

$4.2 PEN 15.17

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 PEN 12.32

$1.99 PEN 7.18

$8.53 PEN 30.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.2 PEN 7.96

$1.65 PEN 5.94

$4.12 PEN 14.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.32 PEN 30.05

$4.99 PEN 18.04

$11.09 PEN 40.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 PEN 4.86

$1.13 PEN 4.09

$1.48 PEN 5.33

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.1K PEN 69.1K

$16.4K PEN 59.3K

$24.5K PEN 88.4K

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

$24.2K PEN 87.4K

$21.9K PEN 79.2K

$26K PEN 94.1K

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

$56.4 PEN 204

$27.79 PEN 100

$101 PEN 366

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

$12.73 PEN 46

$8.43 PEN 30.46

$19.68 PEN 71.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.42 PEN 84.6

$19.16 PEN 69.2

$41.07 PEN 148

Cinema Ticket

$7.01 PEN 25.33

$5.05 PEN 18.25

$10.1 PEN 36.5

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$221 PEN 800

$84.4 PEN 305

$506 PEN 1,829

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,952 PEN 28.7K

$2,764 PEN 9,987

$9,952 PEN 36K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.37 PEN 178

$27.32 PEN 98.7

$82 PEN 296

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.36 PEN 131

$22.36 PEN 80.8

$50.3 PEN 182

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.1 PEN 333

$59.4 PEN 215

$127 PEN 460

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.1 PEN 325

$56 PEN 202

$112 PEN 404

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.11

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

City tags:

Cost of Living in La Merced - Frequently Asked Questions

La Merced tends to feel welcoming for those watching budgets without sacrificing comfort. Cost of Living in La Merced is generally more approachable than bigger Peruvian hubs, thanks to affordable street food, a range of simple accommodations, and informal workspaces. You can stretch a modest budget by staying in the centro or near markets, where short commutes keep transport costs down. Local amenities are close, so you won’t rely on cars, and you can trade luxury for flexibility. Seasonal crowds can nudge prices up at events, but off-peak periods stay calmer and friendlier to longer stays. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods before signing longer leases.

Daily life centers on the riverside market, a handful of casual eateries, and variable transport options. For housing, scan centro apartments, guesthouses, or shared rooms within easy walking distance of the main square; many stay flexible with month-to-month terms. Food spans from lively street grills to modest cafés – great for saving while still enjoying fresh produce from markets. Getting around is simple with taxis, moto-taxis, or short bus routes; many areas are walkable during the dry season. La Merced living cost guides you to prioritize the essentials and avoid over-committing. Tip: Budget for a bit of spontaneity in meals and travel to stay comfortable.

Think in a simple budgeting framework: essentials (housing, food, transport) first, discretionary spending second, with a small buffer for seasonal dips in demand. Neighborhood fit matters: centro offers easy access to markets and coworking spaces, while river-adjacent areas feel quieter and greener but may require longer walks for errands. In the wet season, be prepared for humidity and occasional flooding in low-lying streets; dry spells tend to be more comfortable for outdoor work and exploration. Build a flexible plan that adjusts housing length, dining habits, and transport modes as you settle in. Tip: Try a one- to two-week trial in a couple of neighborhoods to compare accessibility and noise levels.