Last update: Oct 2026 Peru ⭐ Capital 10M

Cost of Living in Lima

Name: Lima
Address: Lima, PE

For one person, living costs in Lima are estimated at $1,012 a month, including rent and utilities – 21% above the national average. Rent and utilities take more than a third of the total.

Compare Destinations Jump to prices

Lima

🇵🇪 Peru

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lima

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

Living costs for one person come to about $1,012 monthly including rent, or $595 excluding housing.

$1,012 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,589 with rent, or $1,019 without housing.

$1,589 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,167 including rent, or $1,443 for daily expenses alone.

$2,167 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.40 PEN 15.10

$2.93 PEN 10.07

$8.81 PEN 30.24

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.17 PEN 121

$20.51 PEN 70.4

$51.3 PEN 176

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.89 PEN 23.65

$5.77 PEN 19.80

$8.64 PEN 29.68

Cappuccino

$3.26 PEN 11.20

$2.63 PEN 9.03

$4.38 PEN 15.04

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

$1.12 PEN 3.84

$0.89 PEN 3.06

$1.49 PEN 5.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 PEN 2.11

$0.57 PEN 1.95

$0.85 PEN 2.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.65 PEN 9.09

$1.76 PEN 6.06

$5.89 PEN 20.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.41 PEN 15.15

$2.94 PEN 10.10

$5.89 PEN 20.23

Milk (1 liter)

$1.63 PEN 5.61

$1.15 PEN 3.94

$2.06 PEN 7.08

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PEN 8.78

$1.44 PEN 4.95

$3.90 PEN 13.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.35 PEN 4.65

$1.18 PEN 4.06

$1.63 PEN 5.59

Eggs

$2.90 PEN 9.96

$1.44 PEN 4.96

$4.16 PEN 14.30

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.85 PEN 30.38

$4.82 PEN 16.54

$13.88 PEN 47.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.98 PEN 20.52

$2.93 PEN 10.05

$10.25 PEN 35.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.78 PEN 33.59

$5.82 PEN 20.00

$13.09 PEN 44.95

Apples (1kg)

$2.05 PEN 7.02

$1.04 PEN 3.56

$2.95 PEN 10.13

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 PEN 3.66

$0.59 PEN 2.02

$1.76 PEN 6.06

Oranges (1kg)

$1.35 PEN 4.64

$0.56 PEN 1.94

$2.82 PEN 9.68

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 PEN 5.15

$0.88 PEN 3.01

$2.04 PEN 7.02

Potato (1kg)

$0.88 PEN 3.03

$0.56 PEN 1.91

$1.53 PEN 5.27

Onion (1kg)

$0.92 PEN 3.15

$0.60 PEN 2.08

$1.21 PEN 4.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 PEN 3.07

$0.46 PEN 1.57

$1.21 PEN 4.14

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 PEN 3.10

$0.59 PEN 2.02

$1.18 PEN 4.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.90 PEN 20.27

$4.46 PEN 15.31

$5.95 PEN 20.45

Wine (Bottle)

$8.52 PEN 29.26

$4.52 PEN 15.53

$11.29 PEN 38.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 PEN 6.45

$1.43 PEN 4.92

$2.58 PEN 8.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 PEN 11.05

$1.75 PEN 6.01

$4.37 PEN 15.02

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 PEN 2.33

$0.57 PEN 1.96

$0.92 PEN 3.15

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.86 PEN 92.2

$17.65 PEN 60.6

$41.18 PEN 141

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.81 PEN 13.09

$1.97 PEN 6.78

$8.47 PEN 29.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.02 PEN 6.93

$1.44 PEN 4.95

$2.88 PEN 9.90

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.11 PEN 24.41

$5.12 PEN 17.59

$9.95 PEN 34.17

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.72 PEN 5.91

$1.25 PEN 4.30

$1.74 PEN 5.98

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

$22.3K PEN 76.6K

$20.6K PEN 70.8K

$22.3K PEN 76.6K

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

$25.5K PEN 87.6K

$23.0K PEN 78.9K

$27.8K PEN 95.6K

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

$73.1 PEN 251

$49.76 PEN 171

$117 PEN 402

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

$16.35 PEN 56.2

$8.09 PEN 27.78

$40.60 PEN 139

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.47 PEN 94.3

$20.23 PEN 69.5

$46.32 PEN 159

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.90 PEN 110

$11.40 PEN 39.16

$42.77 PEN 147

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.41 PEN 66.7

$7.31 PEN 25.11

$43.85 PEN 151

Cinema Ticket

$7.05 PEN 24.23

$5.08 PEN 17.45

$8.46 PEN 29.07

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

$182 PEN 627

$88.8 PEN 305

$473 PEN 1,626

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.0K PEN 44.8K

$10.4K PEN 35.7K

$15.7K PEN 53.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.8 PEN 185

$23.67 PEN 81.3

$104 PEN 356

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.32 PEN 118

$19.99 PEN 68.6

$57.1 PEN 196

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.8 PEN 284

$43.09 PEN 148

$144 PEN 493

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.2 PEN 269

$43.18 PEN 148

$87.4 PEN 300

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$721 PEN 2,476

$570 PEN 1,958

$921 PEN 3,162

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$343 PEN 1,179

$251 PEN 863

$651 PEN 2,234

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,219 PEN 4,186

$978 PEN 3,359

$1,493 PEN 5,128

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$651 PEN 2,235

$470 PEN 1,616

$962 PEN 3,304

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,414 PEN 8,292

$2,038 PEN 7,000

$2,717 PEN 9,329

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,357 PEN 4,660

$1,030 PEN 3,537

$3,277 PEN 11.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$648 PEN 2,226

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.94

7.41

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Lima $1,012

Accommodation & Living

$343 33.9%

Groceries & Markets

$226 22.3%

Eating Out

$124 12.3%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$117 11.6%

Clothing & Footwear

$112 11.1%

Sport & Entertainment

$46 4.6%

Getting Around

$43 4.3%

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $721 for a central one-bedroom, or $343 outside the center. At 111% of the average salary ($648), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $648, while typical expenses reach $1,012. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $226 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $35.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $26.86 per month.

Cost Highlights

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 96% of cities in South America

Gasoline is more expensive than 95% of cities in South America

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 95% of cities in South America

Good to know

🕒 Local time

12:44 12:44 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

9,989,369 Capital

💱 Currency

Peruvian Sol PEN S/

📈 Exchange rate

1 PEN = 0.291 USD

1 PEN = 0.259 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

From you

Lima

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

Lima 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 Lima - Frequently Asked Questions

Lima tends to feel affordable for many travelers and early-stage expats, especially if you’re open to a mix of neighborhoods and housing options. You’ll find strong value in local eateries, reliable public transit, and a broad range of co-working spaces. The savings often come from living outside the prime tourist districts and choosing gradually longer leases or shared apartments. If you compare districts, coastal areas may be pricier than inland neighborhoods, but still reasonable by international standards. For a longer stay, build a simple budget to balance dining, transport, and occasional weekend getaways. Cost of Living in Lima, Peru varies with location but can be managed with steady planning. Tip: Plan a flexible budget that accounts for district differences and seasonal travel opportunities.

Daily life in Lima centers on a mix of affordability and vibrant options. When housing, look for furnished or semi-furnished apartments in Miraflores, Barranco, or Surquillo – shorter leases can give you flexibility, while longer leases often reduce monthly costs. For food, you’ll find a spectrum from mercados and street stalls to modern cafes; planning a weekly grocery route can save money. Transport runs from the Metropolitano bus network and the city’s growing bike lanes to taxis and ride-hailing apps; consider a monthly transit pass if you’re commuting. Co-working spaces cluster in the upscale districts, with nearby cafés for quick work. Lima, Peru living cost varies by area, so map a few neighborhoods before committing. Tip: Try one-week stays in multiple areas to judge vibe and timing.

Quality of life in Lima hinges on choosing a neighborhood that fits your rhythm and pivoting your budget around lifestyle priorities. If you enjoy a lively social scene, stay near Miraflores or Barranco, but if you want quieter evenings, seek Surco or San Borja. Build a simple budgeting framework: cover housing and utilities first, then daily meals, transport, and weekly activities, and set aside a buffer for seasonal travel or gear for coworking. Embrace local markets, seasonal produce, and shared amenities to stretch your money without sacrificing comfort. Seasonality matters for crowds around popular districts and for transit patterns during holidays; plan ahead for slower weeks or busier weekends. Tip: Regularly reassess your neighborhood fit as your routine shifts.

At around $1,012 monthly all-in, Lima offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

Everyday life in Lima is moderately priced at about $1,012 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.

At $648 take-home, most residents in Lima can cover the $1,012 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,518 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Lima range from $343 to $721, 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.

A monthly transit pass in Lima runs about $26.86, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $226 monthly, food costs in Lima sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $2,000 in Lima means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,012. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Lima offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, and at around $1,012 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

Monthly expenses in Lima run around $1,012, so putting money aside takes more than $1,518 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Lima works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,012 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.