Cost of Living in Peru - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Peru
Address: PE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $506 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A couple spends around $792 per month with rent on average in Peru.

A family of three spends around $1,078 per month with rent on average in Peru.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.48 PEN 11.67

$2.91 PEN 9.75

$6.39 PEN 21.42

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.90 PEN 100

$14.95 PEN 50.1

$52.3 PEN 175

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.63 PEN 22.24

$6.03 PEN 20.21

$7.54 PEN 25.27

Cappuccino

$3.18 PEN 10.67

$1.83 PEN 6.14

$4.56 PEN 15.30

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

$0.96 PEN 3.22

$0.70 PEN 2.35

$1.54 PEN 5.16

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)

$2.35 PEN 7.88

$1.47 PEN 4.93

$4.99 PEN 16.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 PEN 11.83

$2.95 PEN 9.88

$5.88 PEN 19.72

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 PEN 5.17

$1.06 PEN 3.56

$2.12 PEN 7.12

White Bread (500g)

$2.41 PEN 8.08

$1.04 PEN 3.47

$4.00 PEN 13.42

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 PEN 4.46

$1.01 PEN 3.39

$1.74 PEN 5.83

Eggs

$2.77 PEN 9.28

$1.52 PEN 5.10

$4.38 PEN 14.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.07 PEN 27.06

$4.08 PEN 13.69

$14.57 PEN 48.86

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.96 PEN 19.98

$3.03 PEN 10.16

$9.99 PEN 33.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.21 PEN 30.87

$5.34 PEN 17.91

$13.01 PEN 43.63

Apples (1kg)

$1.78 PEN 5.96

$0.88 PEN 2.95

$2.94 PEN 9.86

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 PEN 3.54

$0.61 PEN 2.04

$1.82 PEN 6.09

Oranges (1kg)

$1.21 PEN 4.05

$0.43 PEN 1.45

$2.93 PEN 9.81

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 PEN 4.31

$0.61 PEN 2.05

$2.01 PEN 6.73

Potato (1kg)

$0.96 PEN 3.21

$0.31 PEN 1.04

$1.53 PEN 5.14

Onion (1kg)

$0.88 PEN 2.95

$0.53 PEN 1.77

$1.46 PEN 4.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.83 PEN 2.79

$0.47 PEN 1.57

$1.55 PEN 5.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 PEN 2.91

$0.57 PEN 1.92

$1.13 PEN 3.80

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.79 PEN 19.41

$4.34 PEN 14.55

$8.69 PEN 29.13

Wine (Bottle)

$7.86 PEN 26.36

$4.74 PEN 15.90

$13.34 PEN 44.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 PEN 6.86

$1.48 PEN 4.96

$2.96 PEN 9.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 PEN 9.85

$1.61 PEN 5.39

$4.37 PEN 14.65

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 PEN 2.10

$0.47 PEN 1.58

$1.09 PEN 3.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.23 PEN 81.2

$18.16 PEN 60.9

$40.70 PEN 136

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 PEN 8.10

$1.51 PEN 5.07

$6.04 PEN 20.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.14 PEN 7.17

$1.53 PEN 5.14

$3.07 PEN 10.28

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.91 PEN 19.82

$4.73 PEN 15.86

$10.35 PEN 34.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 PEN 5.23

$1.18 PEN 3.95

$1.70 PEN 5.72

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

$22.2K PEN 74.3K

$19.0K PEN 63.8K

$24.0K PEN 80.4K

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

$25.5K PEN 85.3K

$22.3K PEN 74.9K

$28.9K PEN 96.8K

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

$55.4 PEN 186

$29.53 PEN 99.0

$118 PEN 396

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

$14.12 PEN 47.33

$8.61 PEN 28.87

$26.68 PEN 89.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.52 PEN 88.9

$17.97 PEN 60.2

$44.93 PEN 151

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.03 PEN 104

$20.45 PEN 68.6

$43.82 PEN 147

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.90 PEN 60.0

$7.49 PEN 25.10

$29.94 PEN 100

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 PEN 19.84

$4.44 PEN 14.87

$8.88 PEN 29.78

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

$162 PEN 544

$88.5 PEN 297

$354 PEN 1,187

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.6K PEN 38.8K

$5,403 PEN 18.1K

$15.9K PEN 53.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.1 PEN 171

$23.90 PEN 80.2

$86.6 PEN 291

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.22 PEN 101

$14.68 PEN 49.24

$52.9 PEN 177

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.1 PEN 255

$36.23 PEN 121

$106 PEN 354

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.8 PEN 241

$35.14 PEN 118

$87.9 PEN 295

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$499 PEN 1,673

$211 PEN 706

$863 PEN 2,895

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$256 PEN 859

$137 PEN 458

$516 PEN 1,730

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$874 PEN 2,930

$534 PEN 1,790

$1,501 PEN 5,033

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$479 PEN 1,605

$359 PEN 1,205

$839 PEN 2,812

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,253 PEN 7,554

$1,815 PEN 6,086

$2,966 PEN 9,944

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,239 PEN 4,155

$904 PEN 3,031

$2,992 PEN 10.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$586 PEN 1,963

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: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Peru is $544 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $506, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $136 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $22.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($506) is 63% below the global median of $1,368.

Average rent ($197) is 70% below the global median of $667.

Dining out ($22.00) is 54% below the global median of $48.00.

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	$522	$719	$1,232	$1,553	45.85	369.92
2	Ayacucho	99427	22	$344	$475	$882	$1,072	15.21	175.23
3	Cajamarca	218741	32	$623	$701	$1,456	$1,683	56.49	203.84
4	Cerro de Pasco	58899	26	$540	$565	$1,129	$1,233	164.13	230.43
5	Chachapoyas	7273						205.26	240.64
6	Chiclayo	60325	37	$601	$796	$1,494	$1,880	32.38	322.3
7	Chimbote	206213		$18.82	$19.91	$42.51	$43.33	17.27	217.6
8	Cusco	428450	32	$465	$689	$1,156	$1,423	150.86	308.9
9	Huancayo	27552	23	$485	$501	$1,234	$1,199	149.68	327.35
10	Huánuco	89502		$26.26	$26.91	$129	$135	106.33	228.89
11	Huaraz	15169						82.69	100.91
12	Iquitos	32853		$363	$678	$918	$1,741	96.67	46.38
13	La Merced	8000	27	$500	$566	$1,246	$1,286	-	-
14	Lima	9989369	48	$607	$1,014	$1,506	$2,196	303.43	326.15
15	Mancora	2791						85.73	48.64
16	Miraflores	99337	53	$532	$1,144	$1,338	$1,393	68.46	346.96
17	Moquegua	18861	21	$393	$452	$1,082	$1,089	356.91	258.33
18	Pisco	14917	32	$572	$683	$1,373	$1,409	44.44	155.54
19	Piura	158495	34	$546	$732	$1,126	$1,729	193	292.83
20	Pucallpa	326040		$421	$525	$927	$1,171	44.06	117.74
21	Tacna	92972		$386	$453	$875	$853	102.41	234.7
22	Talara	91444		$72.4	$401	$234	$598	129.21	214.43
23	Tarapoto	68295		$104	$107	$352	$359	225.47	243.8
24	Trujillo	314939	41	$505	$903	$1,276	$1,816	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.