Cost of Living in Peru - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $421 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A couple spends around $669 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A family of three spends around $916 per month with rent on average in Peru.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21 PEN 14.26
$2.24 PEN 7.59
$7.00 PEN 23.73
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.85 PEN 94.4
$16.71 PEN 56.7
$55.7 PEN 189
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.21 PEN 21.06
$5.65 PEN 19.16
$8.20 PEN 27.78
Cappuccino
$2.54 PEN 8.62
$1.35 PEN 4.57
$4.05 PEN 13.72
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 PEN 2.86
$0.67 PEN 2.27
$1.88 PEN 6.37
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 PEN 1.87
$0.44 PEN 1.48
$1.44 PEN 4.90
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.19 PEN 7.44
$1.37 PEN 4.66
$4.12 PEN 13.97
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81 PEN 12.93
$2.73 PEN 9.24
$5.99 PEN 20.31
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 PEN 4.69
$0.98 PEN 3.32
$1.96 PEN 6.64
White Bread (500g)
$2.42 PEN 8.20
$0.84 PEN 2.84
$4.20 PEN 14.25
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.25 PEN 4.23
$0.81 PEN 2.76
$1.78 PEN 6.02
Eggs
$2.67 PEN 9.05
$1.40 PEN 4.75
$4.36 PEN 14.78
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.96 PEN 23.59
$2.76 PEN 9.37
$19.33 PEN 65.5
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.23 PEN 17.71
$2.70 PEN 9.15
$8.09 PEN 27.43
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.82 PEN 29.89
$4.62 PEN 15.66
$13.60 PEN 46.09
Apples (1kg)
$1.81 PEN 6.12
$0.84 PEN 2.86
$2.82 PEN 9.56
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 PEN 3.47
$0.57 PEN 1.94
$1.99 PEN 6.73
Oranges (1kg)
$1.00 PEN 3.39
$0.27 PEN 0.93
$1.90 PEN 6.44
Tomato (1kg)
$1.10 PEN 3.73
$0.55 PEN 1.87
$1.81 PEN 6.13
Potato (1kg)
$0.90 PEN 3.05
$0.41 PEN 1.38
$1.62 PEN 5.48
Onion (1kg)
$0.88 PEN 2.97
$0.48 PEN 1.63
$1.61 PEN 5.46
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.77 PEN 2.60
$0.44 PEN 1.48
$1.73 PEN 5.87
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 PEN 2.72
$0.51 PEN 1.72
$1.41 PEN 4.78
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.68 PEN 19.24
$4.53 PEN 15.37
$8.51 PEN 28.83
Wine (Bottle)
$8.00 PEN 27.10
$4.83 PEN 16.36
$13.57 PEN 46.01
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 PEN 5.98
$1.09 PEN 3.69
$2.72 PEN 9.23
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 PEN 8.98
$1.48 PEN 5.03
$4.05 PEN 13.72
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.57 PEN 1.94
$0.29 PEN 0.97
$0.99 PEN 3.37
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.79 PEN 56.9
$8.39 PEN 28.44
$42.58 PEN 144
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.20 PEN 7.45
$1.38 PEN 4.66
$4.39 PEN 14.90
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.87 PEN 6.33
$0.83 PEN 2.81
$2.68 PEN 9.08
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.59 PEN 18.93
$4.19 PEN 14.20
$11.16 PEN 37.83
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 PEN 4.57
$1.11 PEN 3.76
$1.79 PEN 6.08
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6K PEN 69.9K
$18.4K PEN 62.2K
$24.0K PEN 81.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K PEN 82.2K
$22.1K PEN 75.0K
$27.8K PEN 94.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$46.51 PEN 158
$27.27 PEN 92.4
$96.6 PEN 327
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.09 PEN 40.97
$8.25 PEN 27.98
$19.26 PEN 65.3
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.31 PEN 85.8
$19.25 PEN 65.2
$41.29 PEN 140
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.95 PEN 102
$22.07 PEN 74.8
$41.39 PEN 140
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.52 PEN 56.0
$7.94 PEN 26.92
$27.58 PEN 93.5
Cinema Ticket
$5.59 PEN 18.94
$4.19 PEN 14.20
$9.77 PEN 33.11
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$169 PEN 574
$84.2 PEN 286
$421 PEN 1,428
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,627 PEN 19.1K
$2,253 PEN 7,637
$10.1K PEN 34.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.01 PEN 163
$27.85 PEN 94.4
$83.5 PEN 283
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.35 PEN 106
$16.88 PEN 57.2
$50.6 PEN 172
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.2 PEN 279
$39.04 PEN 132
$111 PEN 375
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.8 PEN 260
$41.20 PEN 140
$110 PEN 372
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$479 PEN 1,623
$196 PEN 664
$840 PEN 2,847
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$272 PEN 922
$140 PEN 475
$504 PEN 1,708
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$835 PEN 2,831
$452 PEN 1,534
$1,414 PEN 4,793
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$486 PEN 1,648
$334 PEN 1,133
$903 PEN 3,060
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,181 PEN 7,395
$1,676 PEN 5,682
$2,744 PEN 9,301
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,224 PEN 4,150
$897 PEN 3,040
$2,969 PEN 10.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$578 PEN 1,959
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.63
9
15

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Peru is $533 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $421, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $120 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $17.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($421) is 68% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($142) is 77% below the global median of $631.

Dining out ($17.00) is 65% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($4.00) is 88% below the global median of $33.00.

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Peru Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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
Is Peru a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other destinations?
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.
What does daily life look like in Peru for housing, food, transport, and errands?
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.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting, and how can you choose a neighborhood that fits your seasonality and lifestyle in Peru?
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.
Is Peru expensive compared to other countries?
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.
Is rent expensive in Peru?
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.
Can you live in Peru on $800 per month?
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.

Peru vs other spots: cost of living compared

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