Cost of Living in Peru - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Peru
Address: PE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $508 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A couple spends around $793 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A family of three spends around $1,077 per month with rent on average in Peru.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.63 PEN 12.20

$2.42 PEN 8.13

$6.65 PEN 22.35

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.06 PEN 101

$15.02 PEN 50.5

$52.6 PEN 177

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.39 PEN 21.48

$5.80 PEN 19.51

$7.26 PEN 24.40

Cappuccino

$3.13 PEN 10.53

$1.80 PEN 6.04

$4.51 PEN 15.14

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

$0.96 PEN 3.24

$0.71 PEN 2.37

$1.55 PEN 5.20

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.56 PEN 1.89

$0.47 PEN 1.58

$0.93 PEN 3.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 PEN 8.14

$1.52 PEN 5.10

$5.14 PEN 17.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 PEN 11.68

$2.89 PEN 9.72

$5.78 PEN 19.44

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 PEN 5.00

$1.03 PEN 3.47

$2.07 PEN 6.94

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 PEN 8.21

$1.05 PEN 3.54

$4.06 PEN 13.65

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 PEN 4.72

$1.07 PEN 3.58

$1.82 PEN 6.13

Eggs

$2.72 PEN 9.14

$1.50 PEN 5.04

$4.31 PEN 14.48

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.11 PEN 27.25

$4.10 PEN 13.77

$14.63 PEN 49.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 PEN 19.76

$2.99 PEN 10.03

$9.85 PEN 33.10

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.00 PEN 30.24

$5.22 PEN 17.53

$12.71 PEN 42.72

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 PEN 6.15

$0.91 PEN 3.06

$3.04 PEN 10.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.01 PEN 3.40

$0.57 PEN 1.93

$1.73 PEN 5.82

Oranges (1kg)

$1.26 PEN 4.22

$0.45 PEN 1.52

$3.06 PEN 10.28

Tomato (1kg)

$1.23 PEN 4.14

$0.58 PEN 1.95

$1.93 PEN 6.49

Potato (1kg)

$0.95 PEN 3.21

$0.31 PEN 1.05

$1.55 PEN 5.20

Onion (1kg)

$0.92 PEN 3.11

$0.54 PEN 1.83

$1.53 PEN 5.14

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.75 PEN 2.53

$0.43 PEN 1.44

$1.42 PEN 4.76

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.93 PEN 3.13

$0.60 PEN 2.03

$1.22 PEN 4.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.88 PEN 19.76

$4.42 PEN 14.84

$8.82 PEN 29.65

Wine (Bottle)

$7.67 PEN 25.78

$4.63 PEN 15.56

$13.03 PEN 43.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 PEN 6.95

$1.50 PEN 5.05

$3.00 PEN 10.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 PEN 9.92

$1.61 PEN 5.41

$4.40 PEN 14.80

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 PEN 2.02

$0.46 PEN 1.54

$0.97 PEN 3.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.41 PEN 78.7

$17.56 PEN 59.0

$39.39 PEN 132

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.34 PEN 7.87

$1.47 PEN 4.93

$5.85 PEN 19.65

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.06 PEN 6.91

$1.47 PEN 4.95

$2.94 PEN 9.87

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.02 PEN 20.24

$4.82 PEN 16.18

$10.54 PEN 35.43

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 PEN 5.23

$1.18 PEN 3.98

$1.71 PEN 5.76

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

$21.8K PEN 73.3K

$18.8K PEN 63.0K

$23.6K PEN 79.3K

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

$25.7K PEN 86.5K

$22.6K PEN 75.9K

$29.2K PEN 98.1K

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

$55.0 PEN 185

$29.32 PEN 98.5

$117 PEN 394

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

$14.10 PEN 47.37

$8.60 PEN 28.90

$26.65 PEN 89.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.14 PEN 87.8

$17.71 PEN 59.5

$44.27 PEN 149

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.42 PEN 106

$20.71 PEN 69.6

$44.37 PEN 149

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.42 PEN 58.5

$7.29 PEN 24.48

$29.13 PEN 97.9

Cinema Ticket

$5.82 PEN 19.57

$4.37 PEN 14.70

$8.74 PEN 29.36

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

$163 PEN 547

$88.9 PEN 299

$355 PEN 1,194

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.4K PEN 38.2K

$5,315 PEN 17.9K

$15.7K PEN 52.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.4 PEN 169

$23.60 PEN 79.3

$85.6 PEN 287

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.94 PEN 104

$15.03 PEN 50.5

$54.1 PEN 182

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.3 PEN 253

$35.85 PEN 120

$105 PEN 351

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.7 PEN 244

$35.56 PEN 120

$88.9 PEN 299

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$483 PEN 1,624

$204 PEN 685

$836 PEN 2,809

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$254 PEN 853

$135 PEN 455

$512 PEN 1,719

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$866 PEN 2,910

$529 PEN 1,778

$1,487 PEN 4,997

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$475 PEN 1,598

$357 PEN 1,200

$833 PEN 2,800

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,223 PEN 7,470

$1,791 PEN 6,017

$2,926 PEN 9,832

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,206 PEN 4,052

$880 PEN 2,956

$2,911 PEN 9,784

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$567 PEN 1,905

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.6

7.41

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Peru is $546 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $508, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $135 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $22.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($508) is 63% below the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($198) is 70% below the global median of $661.

Dining out ($22.00) is 55% below the global median of $49.00.

Public transport ($8.00) is 76% below the global median of $34.00.

By City in Peru

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Arequipa	17062	34	$519	$726	$1,242	$1,573	45.85	369.92
2	Ayacucho	99427	22	$430	$491	$782	$1,095	15.21	175.23
3	Cajamarca	218741	32	$528	$706	$1,346	$1,649	56.49	203.84
4	Cerro de Pasco	58899	26	$538	$561	$1,335	$1,266	164.13	230.43
5	Chachapoyas	7273						205.26	240.64
6	Chiclayo	60325	36	$637	$790	$1,523	$1,879	32.38	322.3
7	Chimbote	206213		$21.37	$20.59	$43.84	$42.19	17.27	217.6
8	Cusco	428450	32	$419	$699	$1,076	$1,385	150.86	308.9
9	Huancayo	27552	23	$447	$507	$976	$1,148	149.68	327.35
10	Huánuco	89502		$24.96	$27.07	$139	$134	106.33	228.89
11	Huaraz	15169						82.69	100.91
12	Iquitos	32853		$421	$675	$1,015	$1,778	96.67	46.38
13	La Merced	8000	27	$508	$580	$1,182	$1,291	-	-
14	Lima	9989369	48	$603	$1,016	$1,485	$2,229	303.43	326.15
15	Mancora	2791						85.73	48.64
16	Miraflores	99337	53	$604	$1,161	$1,253	$1,353	68.46	346.96
17	Moquegua	18861	21	$387	$451	$963	$1,066	356.91	258.33
18	Pisco	14917	31	$509	$682	$1,387	$1,429	44.44	155.54
19	Piura	158495	33	$619	$718	$1,379	$1,746	193	292.83
20	Pucallpa	326040		$499	$518	$1,043	$1,190	44.06	117.74
21	Tacna	92972		$331	$447	$860	$825	102.41	234.7
22	Talara	91444		$83.6	$395	$199	$606	129.21	214.43
23	Tarapoto	68295		$112	$110	$379	$356	225.47	243.8
24	Trujillo	314939	41	$555	$903	$1,127	$1,811	126.64	342.08

Peru 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

Cost of Living in Peru - Frequently Asked Questions

Peru often feels like strong value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, especially if you prioritize local options over tourist hubs. Cost of Living in Peru can be noticeably lower when you shop at markets, cook at home, and choose housing in noncentral neighborhoods. You'll find a range from basic, well-connected apartments to modern flats with amenities, often at a fraction of Western rents. Public transport is generally affordable, and food – from mercados to casual eateries – stays wallet-friendly. Tourist-season spikes exist, so timing matters for bookings and short-term stays. Overall, the pace and mix of urban life offer comfort without the sticker shock you might expect. Tip: Map a two-trip monthly plan that aligns work and exploration.

Daily life centers on a blend of affordability and variety. In housing, you'll find furnished options in safer areas of major cities and quieter neighborhoods on the outskirts, with rental terms ranging from short stays to longer leases. Food options are rich and accessible, from markets selling fresh produce to casual eateries offering regional dishes; cooking at home stretches your budget. Transport is practical and budget-friendly: buses, colectivos, and metro networks cover core routes, with rideshares as a backup. Everyday errands like banking and healthcare are straightforward in urban cores, while more remote towns require planning. Peru living cost varies by city, so test a neighborhood before you commit. Tip: Spend a week living in different areas to compare amenities and pace before signing a longer lease.

Quality of life in Peru hinges on access to reliable services, safety, climate that suits you, and a neighborhood that matches your rhythm. Use a simple budgeting framework: cover essentials first, then discretionary spending, with a buffer for travel. Seasonality matters: coastal cities stay mild year-round, while Andean highlands can swing with rain or cold nights; tourist areas tighten up in peak season and ease off in shoulder months. To pick a district, align daily tasks with transit lines, markets, and coworking spaces; test-drive a few blocks by foot and walk the routes you’ll actually use. Tip: Build a flexible plan that prioritizes safety, reliable connectivity, and easy access to the things you value most.

Peru is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.

Rent in Peru varies a lot – Lima has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Peru, $800 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.