Cost of Living in Lima - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Lima
Address: Lima, PE

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,016 monthly including rent, or $603 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,623 with rent, or $1,044 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,229 including rent, or $1,485 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.35 PEN 14.62

$2.90 PEN 9.73

$8.69 PEN 29.20

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.17 PEN 108

$17.55 PEN 59.0

$51.2 PEN 172

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.03 PEN 23.63

$5.88 PEN 19.77

$8.82 PEN 29.66

Cappuccino

$3.23 PEN 10.86

$2.61 PEN 8.76

$4.36 PEN 14.64

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

$1.13 PEN 3.80

$0.92 PEN 3.08

$1.53 PEN 5.15

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 PEN 2.08

$0.56 PEN 1.89

$0.85 PEN 2.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.68 PEN 9.01

$1.79 PEN 6.01

$5.97 PEN 20.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.53 PEN 15.23

$3.02 PEN 10.14

$6.03 PEN 20.28

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 PEN 5.51

$1.15 PEN 3.87

$2.07 PEN 6.94

White Bread (500g)

$2.60 PEN 8.74

$1.47 PEN 4.95

$3.97 PEN 13.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 PEN 4.51

$1.17 PEN 3.94

$1.61 PEN 5.40

Eggs

$3.05 PEN 10.26

$1.53 PEN 5.13

$4.39 PEN 14.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.01 PEN 30.28

$4.90 PEN 16.48

$14.14 PEN 47.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.93 PEN 19.92

$2.90 PEN 9.76

$10.17 PEN 34.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.80 PEN 32.94

$5.83 PEN 19.59

$13.12 PEN 44.08

Apples (1kg)

$2.10 PEN 7.04

$1.06 PEN 3.57

$3.04 PEN 10.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.05 PEN 3.54

$0.58 PEN 1.93

$1.74 PEN 5.84

Oranges (1kg)

$1.45 PEN 4.88

$0.60 PEN 2.03

$3.04 PEN 10.21

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 PEN 5.04

$0.87 PEN 2.93

$2.04 PEN 6.85

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 PEN 3.11

$0.58 PEN 1.95

$1.60 PEN 5.39

Onion (1kg)

$0.94 PEN 3.16

$0.62 PEN 2.07

$1.24 PEN 4.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 PEN 3.00

$0.46 PEN 1.54

$1.21 PEN 4.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 PEN 3.20

$0.62 PEN 2.07

$1.24 PEN 4.18

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.82 PEN 19.54

$4.40 PEN 14.77

$5.86 PEN 19.68

Wine (Bottle)

$9.02 PEN 30.32

$4.78 PEN 16.06

$11.95 PEN 40.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 PEN 6.52

$1.48 PEN 4.98

$2.66 PEN 8.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 PEN 10.84

$1.76 PEN 5.90

$4.40 PEN 14.79

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 PEN 2.30

$0.57 PEN 1.92

$0.92 PEN 3.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.19 PEN 91.4

$17.87 PEN 60.1

$41.68 PEN 140

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.90 PEN 13.10

$2.02 PEN 6.80

$8.66 PEN 29.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 PEN 6.83

$1.46 PEN 4.89

$2.90 PEN 9.75

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.45 PEN 25.03

$5.36 PEN 18.02

$10.43 PEN 35.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.71 PEN 5.76

$1.22 PEN 4.10

$1.77 PEN 5.93

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

$22.2K PEN 74.6K

$21.0K PEN 70.5K

$22.2K PEN 74.6K

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

$26.7K PEN 89.8K

$24.2K PEN 81.2K

$29.3K PEN 98.4K

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

$71.1 PEN 239

$44.48 PEN 149

$119 PEN 399

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

$16.93 PEN 56.9

$8.55 PEN 28.73

$29.17 PEN 98.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.29 PEN 95.1

$21.14 PEN 71.1

$48.39 PEN 163

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.80 PEN 114

$12.08 PEN 40.60

$45.32 PEN 152

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.96 PEN 67.1

$7.53 PEN 25.30

$45.16 PEN 152

Cinema Ticket

$7.23 PEN 24.28

$5.20 PEN 17.48

$8.67 PEN 29.12

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

$181 PEN 607

$87.9 PEN 295

$469 PEN 1,575

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.4K PEN 45.2K

$10.8K PEN 36.1K

$15.8K PEN 53.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.0 PEN 182

$23.78 PEN 79.9

$104 PEN 350

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.57 PEN 120

$20.72 PEN 69.6

$59.2 PEN 199

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.9 PEN 289

$44.67 PEN 150

$149 PEN 500

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.0 PEN 272

$44.71 PEN 150

$90.5 PEN 304

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$759 PEN 2,549

$584 PEN 1,964

$1,180 PEN 3,966

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 PEN 1,164

$251 PEN 845

$650 PEN 2,186

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,254 PEN 4,214

$984 PEN 3,308

$1,502 PEN 5,049

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$646 PEN 2,170

$467 PEN 1,569

$934 PEN 3,138

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,479 PEN 8,331

$2,093 PEN 7,032

$2,789 PEN 9,373

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,391 PEN 4,674

$1,059 PEN 3,558

$3,369 PEN 11.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$669 PEN 2,247

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: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $759 for a central one-bedroom, or $346 outside the center. At 113% of the average salary ($669), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $669, while typical expenses reach $1,016. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $230 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $32.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $27.19 per month.

Cost Highlights

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 97% 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

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 $1,016 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 $1,016 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.

At $669 take-home, most residents in Lima can cover the $1,016 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,524 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Lima range from $346 to $759, 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 $27.19, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $230 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 $1,016. 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 $1,016 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 $1,016, so putting money aside takes more than $1,524 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 $1,016 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.