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 $985 monthly including rent, or $527 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,537 with rent, or $1,008 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,089 including rent, or $1,488 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.11 PEN 13.98

$3.28 PEN 11.17

$10.95 PEN 37.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.93 PEN 112

$24.70 PEN 84.1

$54.9 PEN 187

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.00 PEN 23.81

$5.61 PEN 19.08

$8.40 PEN 28.58

Cappuccino

$2.54 PEN 8.64

$0.95 PEN 3.22

$4.07 PEN 13.85

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

$0.92 PEN 3.14

$0.67 PEN 2.28

$2.15 PEN 7.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 PEN 2.06

$0.40 PEN 1.38

$1.34 PEN 4.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 PEN 7.62

$1.40 PEN 4.77

$3.93 PEN 13.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.84 PEN 13.08

$2.75 PEN 9.34

$5.49 PEN 18.69

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 PEN 4.79

$1.08 PEN 3.67

$2.70 PEN 9.19

White Bread (500g)

$2.73 PEN 9.30

$1.60 PEN 5.45

$5.71 PEN 19.44

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 PEN 4.44

$0.81 PEN 2.77

$1.90 PEN 6.47

Eggs

$2.96 PEN 10.07

$1.58 PEN 5.38

$4.42 PEN 15.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.97 PEN 27.12

$2.79 PEN 9.48

$19.48 PEN 66.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.67 PEN 19.31

$2.51 PEN 8.53

$9.74 PEN 33.15

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PEN 36.01

$6.88 PEN 23.42

$13.77 PEN 46.87

Apples (1kg)

$2.02 PEN 6.88

$0.83 PEN 2.84

$2.79 PEN 9.51

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 PEN 3.66

$0.67 PEN 2.29

$1.89 PEN 6.45

Oranges (1kg)

$1.13 PEN 3.86

$0.57 PEN 1.93

$2.02 PEN 6.89

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 PEN 4.26

$0.57 PEN 1.94

$1.97 PEN 6.72

Potato (1kg)

$1.03 PEN 3.52

$0.43 PEN 1.46

$1.96 PEN 6.68

Onion (1kg)

$0.96 PEN 3.25

$0.55 PEN 1.88

$1.65 PEN 5.60

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 PEN 2.96

$0.43 PEN 1.46

$2.13 PEN 7.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 PEN 3.00

$0.55 PEN 1.87

$1.90 PEN 6.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.46 PEN 18.58

$4.77 PEN 16.24

$5.46 PEN 18.58

Wine (Bottle)

$8.98 PEN 30.55

$4.49 PEN 15.28

$11.97 PEN 40.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 PEN 5.96

$1.12 PEN 3.82

$2.41 PEN 8.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 PEN 10.48

$1.98 PEN 6.75

$4.27 PEN 14.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 PEN 2.26

$0.54 PEN 1.84

$0.94 PEN 3.18

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.61 PEN 104

$16.40 PEN 55.8

$54.7 PEN 186

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.38 PEN 11.51

$1.97 PEN 6.71

$8.46 PEN 28.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.21 PEN 7.53

$1.65 PEN 5.62

$4.14 PEN 14.09

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.22 PEN 27.97

$4.93 PEN 16.79

$10.96 PEN 37.30

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 PEN 4.60

$1.14 PEN 3.88

$1.49 PEN 5.06

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

$19.3K PEN 65.7K

$16.6K PEN 56.3K

$24.7K PEN 84.0K

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

$24.3K PEN 82.7K

$22.0K PEN 75.0K

$26.2K PEN 89.1K

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

$56.7 PEN 193

$27.94 PEN 95.1

$102 PEN 347

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

$12.64 PEN 43.01

$8.37 PEN 28.48

$19.53 PEN 66.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.00 PEN 81.7

$19.64 PEN 66.8

$42.08 PEN 143

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.10 PEN 102

$24.56 PEN 83.6

$40.98 PEN 139

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.95 PEN 64.5

$8.07 PEN 27.45

$28.01 PEN 95.3

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 PEN 22.92

$4.85 PEN 16.52

$9.71 PEN 33.03

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

$218 PEN 740

$82.9 PEN 282

$497 PEN 1,693

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,895 PEN 26.9K

$2,745 PEN 9,340

$9,881 PEN 33.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.95 PEN 170

$27.65 PEN 94.1

$82.9 PEN 282

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.59 PEN 125

$22.51 PEN 76.6

$50.6 PEN 172

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.7 PEN 305

$57.8 PEN 197

$124 PEN 422

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.1 PEN 300

$54.8 PEN 186

$110 PEN 373

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$606 PEN 2,063

$439 PEN 1,494

$823 PEN 2,802

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$350 PEN 1,190

$197 PEN 669

$702 PEN 2,390

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,036 PEN 3,525

$695 PEN 2,365

$1,668 PEN 5,676

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$628 PEN 2,136

$416 PEN 1,416

$1,248 PEN 4,248

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,367 PEN 8,056

$1,777 PEN 6,047

$2,763 PEN 9,403

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,434 PEN 4,881

$1,072 PEN 3,647

$3,388 PEN 11.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$626 PEN 2,131

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.11

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $606 for a central one-bedroom, or $350 outside the center. At 97% of the average salary ($626), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $626, while typical expenses reach $985. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $222 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $33.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $30.61 per month.

Cost Highlights

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

White bread 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 $985 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 $985 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.

At $626 take-home, most residents in Lima can cover the $985 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,477 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Lima range from $350 to $606, 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 $30.61, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $222 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 $985. 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 $985 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 $985, so putting money aside takes more than $1,477 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 $985 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.