Last update: Oct 2026 33.7M

Cost of Living in Peru

Name: Peru
Address: PE

Across Peru, living costs for one person average $837 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $18 a day.

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🇵🇪 Peru

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Peru

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

A single person spends around $837 per month with rent on average in Peru.

$837 /mo

A couple spends around $1,323 per month with rent on average in Peru.

$1,323 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,810 per month with rent on average in Peru.

$1,810 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.46 PEN 11.88

$2.31 PEN 7.92

$7.21 PEN 24.79

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.23 PEN 93.6

$14.34 PEN 49.27

$50.2 PEN 172

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.40 PEN 22.01

$5.82 PEN 20.01

$7.31 PEN 25.11

Cappuccino

$3.12 PEN 10.74

$1.77 PEN 6.09

$4.43 PEN 15.21

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

$0.89 PEN 3.07

$0.65 PEN 2.24

$1.41 PEN 4.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.55 PEN 1.90

$0.46 PEN 1.58

$0.91 PEN 3.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 PEN 7.92

$1.44 PEN 4.95

$4.91 PEN 16.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.46 PEN 11.89

$2.88 PEN 9.91

$5.78 PEN 19.86

Milk (1 liter)

$1.46 PEN 5.02

$1.01 PEN 3.46

$2.00 PEN 6.89

White Bread (500g)

$2.30 PEN 7.92

$1.00 PEN 3.44

$3.84 PEN 13.21

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 PEN 4.53

$1.00 PEN 3.42

$1.70 PEN 5.84

Eggs

$2.70 PEN 9.28

$1.47 PEN 5.04

$4.23 PEN 14.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.75 PEN 26.63

$3.68 PEN 12.66

$14.19 PEN 48.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.59 PEN 19.22

$2.84 PEN 9.76

$9.38 PEN 32.25

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.86 PEN 30.43

$5.09 PEN 17.49

$12.41 PEN 42.64

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 PEN 6.28

$0.88 PEN 3.04

$2.95 PEN 10.12

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 PEN 3.71

$0.59 PEN 2.03

$1.77 PEN 6.10

Oranges (1kg)

$1.22 PEN 4.18

$0.43 PEN 1.46

$2.87 PEN 9.85

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 PEN 4.17

$0.57 PEN 1.95

$1.88 PEN 6.46

Potato (1kg)

$0.95 PEN 3.26

$0.30 PEN 1.03

$1.49 PEN 5.13

Onion (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.08

$0.53 PEN 1.82

$1.48 PEN 5.08

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.77 PEN 2.63

$0.43 PEN 1.48

$1.42 PEN 4.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.93 PEN 3.20

$0.61 PEN 2.09

$1.22 PEN 4.18

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.68 PEN 19.52

$4.25 PEN 14.62

$7.10 PEN 24.40

Wine (Bottle)

$7.58 PEN 26.05

$4.58 PEN 15.75

$12.88 PEN 44.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 PEN 6.99

$1.49 PEN 5.12

$2.98 PEN 10.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 PEN 9.77

$1.55 PEN 5.33

$4.22 PEN 14.50

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 PEN 2.06

$0.45 PEN 1.56

$1.03 PEN 3.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.60 PEN 91.4

$17.48 PEN 60.1

$40.14 PEN 138

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.38 PEN 8.19

$1.79 PEN 6.14

$5.97 PEN 20.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.99 PEN 6.83

$1.42 PEN 4.88

$2.84 PEN 9.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.13 PEN 24.49

$5.32 PEN 18.29

$10.34 PEN 35.54

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 PEN 5.38

$1.15 PEN 3.97

$1.67 PEN 5.75

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

$22.0K PEN 75.5K

$17.5K PEN 60.1K

$22.1K PEN 75.9K

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

$25.1K PEN 86.3K

$22.9K PEN 78.5K

$28.5K PEN 98.0K

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

$55.1 PEN 189

$29.07 PEN 99.9

$116 PEN 400

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

$13.67 PEN 46.98

$8.54 PEN 29.34

$26.47 PEN 91.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.88 PEN 88.9

$17.36 PEN 59.7

$43.40 PEN 149

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.96 PEN 106

$20.05 PEN 68.9

$42.98 PEN 148

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.88 PEN 58.0

$7.29 PEN 25.04

$29.13 PEN 100

Cinema Ticket

$5.66 PEN 19.45

$4.24 PEN 14.56

$8.48 PEN 29.16

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

$162 PEN 557

$87.3 PEN 300

$349 PEN 1,200

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.9K PEN 37.4K

$5,114 PEN 17.6K

$15.8K PEN 54.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.24 PEN 166

$22.77 PEN 78.3

$82.5 PEN 284

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.59 PEN 105

$14.34 PEN 49.27

$54.5 PEN 187

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.6 PEN 250

$34.28 PEN 118

$114 PEN 393

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.5 PEN 246

$35.00 PEN 120

$88.5 PEN 304

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$478 PEN 1,641

$204 PEN 700

$836 PEN 2,871

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$242 PEN 831

$142 PEN 489

$484 PEN 1,663

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 PEN 2,835

$461 PEN 1,583

$1,440 PEN 4,948

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$473 PEN 1,626

$352 PEN 1,209

$821 PEN 2,821

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,192 PEN 7,532

$1,754 PEN 6,027

$2,865 PEN 9,847

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,225 PEN 4,210

$868 PEN 2,981

$2,872 PEN 9,869

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$561 PEN 1,927

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.73

7.41

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Peru $837

Accommodation & Living

$242 28.9%

Groceries & Markets

$208 24.8%

Eating Out

$109 13%

Clothing & Footwear

$100 12%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$95 11.3%

Sport & Entertainment

$42 5.1%

Getting Around

$41 4.9%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Peru is $521 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $837, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $133 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $22.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($837) is 38% below the global median of $1,350.

Average rent ($197) is 70% below the global median of $652.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($22.00) is 54% below the global median of $48.00.

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

Good to know

🕒 Local time

17:58 5:58 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

33,726,000

💱 Currency

Peruvian Sol PEN S/

📈 Exchange rate

1 PEN = 0.291 USD

1 PEN = 0.258 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	$449	$707	$1,080	$1,523	45.85	369.92
2	Ayacucho	99427	23	$384	$472	$824	$1,053	15.21	175.23
3	Cajamarca	218741	35	$537	$711	$1,295	$1,666	56.49	203.84
4	Cerro de Pasco	58899	27	$482	$555	$1,154	$1,227	164.13	230.43
5	Chachapoyas	7273						205.26	240.64
6	Chiclayo	60325	49	$798	$995	$1,864	$2,167	32.38	322.3
7	Chimbote	206213		$19.57	$19.57	$41.06	$41.06	17.27	217.6
8	Cusco	428450	34	$469	$692	$1,062	$1,512	150.86	308.9
9	Huancayo	27552	24	$453	$487	$1,125	$1,159	149.68	327.35
10	Huánuco	89502		$26.02	$26.02	$128	$128	106.33	228.89
11	Huaraz	15169						82.69	100.91
12	Iquitos	32853		$363	$663	$960	$1,707	96.67	46.38
13	La Merced	8000	28	$492	$565	$1,196	$1,269	-	-
14	Lima	9989369	49	$595	$1,012	$1,443	$2,167	303.43	326.15
15	Mancora	2791						85.73	48.64
16	Miraflores	99337	54	$535	$1,118	$1,301	$1,360	68.46	346.96
17	Moquegua	18861	22	$422	$446	$1,017	$1,041	356.91	258.33
18	Pisco	14917	32	$486	$658	$1,193	$1,380	44.44	155.54
19	Piura	158495	34	$527	$700	$1,254	$1,697	193	292.83
20	Pucallpa	326040		$449	$502	$971	$1,149	44.06	117.74
21	Tacna	92972		$367	$438	$816	$816	102.41	234.7
22	Talara	91444		$74.1	$395	$219	$588	129.21	214.43
23	Tarapoto	68295		$104	$104	$347	$347	225.47	243.8
24	Trujillo	314939	42	$516	$867	$1,204	$1,814	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.