Cost of Living in La Merced - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $523 (excluding rent), and $519 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,228 (excluding rent), and $1,213 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.10 PEN 13.79

$3.28 PEN 11.01

$10.93 PEN 36.73

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.81 PEN 114

$25.36 PEN 85.2

$56.4 PEN 189

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.85 PEN 23.02

$5.49 PEN 18.44

$8.22 PEN 27.62

Cappuccino

$2.54 PEN 8.53

$0.95 PEN 3.18

$4.07 PEN 13.68

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

$0.99 PEN 3.33

$0.72 PEN 2.42

$2.32 PEN 7.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 PEN 2.18

$0.43 PEN 1.45

$1.43 PEN 4.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.16 PEN 7.26

$1.35 PEN 4.54

$3.78 PEN 12.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 PEN 12.74

$2.71 PEN 9.10

$5.42 PEN 18.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.42 PEN 4.77

$1.09 PEN 3.65

$2.72 PEN 9.15

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 PEN 6.65

$1.59 PEN 5.35

$5.67 PEN 19.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.22 PEN 4.09

$0.81 PEN 2.71

$1.89 PEN 6.34

Eggs

$2.23 PEN 7.50

$1.56 PEN 5.24

$4.35 PEN 14.63

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.85 PEN 23.02

$2.74 PEN 9.22

$19.19 PEN 64.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.52 PEN 18.54

$2.48 PEN 8.34

$9.65 PEN 32.41

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.27 PEN 27.77

$6.89 PEN 23.14

$13.78 PEN 46.31

Apples (1kg)

$0.89 PEN 2.98

$0.80 PEN 2.69

$2.68 PEN 9.01

Banana (1kg)

$0.44 PEN 1.47

$2.03 PEN 6.81

Oranges (1kg)

$0.27 PEN 0.90

$1.90 PEN 6.40

Tomato (1kg)

$0.66 PEN 2.23

$0.54 PEN 1.81

$1.87 PEN 6.28

Potato (1kg)

$0.29 PEN 0.99

$2.01 PEN 6.76

Onion (1kg)

$0.44 PEN 1.47

$1.75 PEN 5.86

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 PEN 1.80

$0.40 PEN 1.35

$1.99 PEN 6.68

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 PEN 2.90

$0.54 PEN 1.80

$1.86 PEN 6.25

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.60 PEN 18.82

$4.90 PEN 16.45

$5.60 PEN 18.82

Wine (Bottle)

$7.25 PEN 24.35

$4.34 PEN 14.60

$13.04 PEN 43.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 PEN 5.75

$1.10 PEN 3.69

$2.35 PEN 7.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 PEN 9.99

$1.92 PEN 6.44

$4.12 PEN 13.85

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 PEN 11.23

$1.95 PEN 6.54

$8.36 PEN 28.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.18 PEN 7.33

$1.63 PEN 5.47

$4.08 PEN 13.71

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.28 PEN 27.81

$4.97 PEN 16.69

$11.04 PEN 37.09

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 PEN 4.54

$1.14 PEN 3.82

$1.48 PEN 4.98

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

$19.5K PEN 65.4K

$16.7K PEN 56.1K

$24.9K PEN 83.7K

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

$24.1K PEN 80.9K

$21.8K PEN 73.4K

$25.9K PEN 87.1K

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

$56.9 PEN 191

$28.05 PEN 94.3

$102 PEN 344

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

$12.81 PEN 43.05

$8.48 PEN 28.51

$19.80 PEN 66.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.08 PEN 80.9

$19.71 PEN 66.2

$42.23 PEN 142

Cinema Ticket

$6.88 PEN 23.13

$4.96 PEN 16.67

$9.92 PEN 33.33

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

$218 PEN 734

$83.2 PEN 280

$499 PEN 1,678

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,998 PEN 26.9K

$2,780 PEN 9,342

$10.0K PEN 33.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.67 PEN 167

$27.49 PEN 92.4

$82.5 PEN 277

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.81 PEN 124

$22.64 PEN 76.1

$50.9 PEN 171

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 PEN 304

$58.3 PEN 196

$125 PEN 420

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.8 PEN 295

$54.6 PEN 183

$109 PEN 367

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.11

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

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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.