Cost of Living in Peru - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Peru
Address: PE

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $422 per month with rent on average across Peru.

A couple spends around $667 per month with rent on average across Peru.

A family of three spends around $912 per month with rent on average across Peru.

Across 24 cities in Peru, monthly living costs range from $0 to $1,073 – a $1,073 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.13 PEN 14.22

$2.20 PEN 7.57

$6.88 PEN 23.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.04 PEN 96.5

$16.83 PEN 57.9

$56.1 PEN 193

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.06 PEN 20.86

$5.52 PEN 18.98

$8.00 PEN 27.51

Cappuccino

$2.55 PEN 8.78

$1.35 PEN 4.66

$4.06 PEN 13.97

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

$0.91 PEN 3.14

$0.72 PEN 2.49

$2.04 PEN 7.00

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 PEN 1.76

$0.41 PEN 1.39

$1.34 PEN 4.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 PEN 7.76

$1.41 PEN 4.86

$4.24 PEN 14.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.81 PEN 13.10

$2.72 PEN 9.36

$5.98 PEN 20.57

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 PEN 4.84

$1.00 PEN 3.43

$1.99 PEN 6.86

White Bread (500g)

$2.43 PEN 8.36

$0.84 PEN 2.89

$4.22 PEN 14.52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.29 PEN 4.44

$0.84 PEN 2.90

$1.84 PEN 6.33

Eggs

$2.61 PEN 8.99

$1.37 PEN 4.72

$4.27 PEN 14.70

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.84 PEN 23.52

$2.72 PEN 9.34

$18.99 PEN 65.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.26 PEN 18.10

$2.72 PEN 9.36

$8.15 PEN 28.03

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.20 PEN 31.66

$4.82 PEN 16.58

$14.19 PEN 48.80

Apples (1kg)

$1.80 PEN 6.21

$0.84 PEN 2.90

$2.82 PEN 9.70

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 PEN 3.54

$0.58 PEN 1.98

$2.00 PEN 6.87

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 PEN 3.56

$0.28 PEN 0.98

$1.97 PEN 6.76

Tomato (1kg)

$1.14 PEN 3.94

$0.57 PEN 1.97

$1.88 PEN 6.47

Potato (1kg)

$0.90 PEN 3.09

$0.41 PEN 1.40

$1.61 PEN 5.55

Onion (1kg)

$0.89 PEN 3.05

$0.49 PEN 1.67

$1.62 PEN 5.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 PEN 2.60

$0.43 PEN 1.48

$1.71 PEN 5.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 PEN 2.82

$0.52 PEN 1.78

$1.44 PEN 4.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.46 PEN 18.79

$4.36 PEN 15.00

$8.18 PEN 28.15

Wine (Bottle)

$8.76 PEN 30.14

$4.67 PEN 16.07

$13.13 PEN 45.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 PEN 6.32

$1.13 PEN 3.90

$2.84 PEN 9.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.80 PEN 9.64

$1.57 PEN 5.40

$4.28 PEN 14.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.54 PEN 1.87

$0.27 PEN 0.94

$0.94 PEN 3.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$16.82 PEN 57.9

$8.40 PEN 28.91

$42.64 PEN 147

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.26 PEN 7.77

$1.41 PEN 4.86

$4.51 PEN 15.53

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 PEN 6.69

$0.86 PEN 2.97

$2.79 PEN 9.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.62 PEN 19.35

$4.22 PEN 14.51

$11.24 PEN 38.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 PEN 4.59

$1.10 PEN 3.78

$1.78 PEN 6.11

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

$20.5K PEN 70.4K

$18.2K PEN 62.7K

$23.8K PEN 82.0K

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

$24.2K PEN 83.3K

$22.1K PEN 76.0K

$27.8K PEN 95.6K

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

$46.53 PEN 160

$27.28 PEN 93.9

$96.6 PEN 332

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

$12.31 PEN 42.33

$8.40 PEN 28.90

$19.61 PEN 67.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.66 PEN 88.3

$19.51 PEN 67.1

$41.86 PEN 144

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.27 PEN 104

$22.30 PEN 76.7

$41.82 PEN 144

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.36 PEN 56.3

$7.87 PEN 27.06

$27.32 PEN 94.0

Cinema Ticket

$5.58 PEN 19.20

$4.19 PEN 14.40

$9.76 PEN 33.56

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

$167 PEN 576

$83.4 PEN 287

$417 PEN 1,434

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,649 PEN 19.4K

$2,262 PEN 7,780

$10.2K PEN 35.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.96 PEN 165

$27.82 PEN 95.7

$83.5 PEN 287

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.38 PEN 105

$16.36 PEN 56.3

$49.07 PEN 169

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.3 PEN 287

$39.58 PEN 136

$112 PEN 386

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.1 PEN 272

$42.42 PEN 146

$113 PEN 389

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$474 PEN 1,632

$194 PEN 668

$832 PEN 2,863

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$273 PEN 939

$140 PEN 483

$506 PEN 1,739

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$811 PEN 2,789

$439 PEN 1,511

$1,372 PEN 4,721

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$492 PEN 1,693

$338 PEN 1,164

$914 PEN 3,144

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,128 PEN 7,321

$1,418 PEN 4,879

$2,950 PEN 10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,261 PEN 4,338

$877 PEN 3,017

$2,904 PEN 9,988

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$573 PEN 1,970

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.63

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

Last update: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $142 nationally. In Lima, expect around $608, while Mancora – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $0.

The average net salary across Peru is $535 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $422, 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.

Most affordable: Mancora at $0 per month. The capital, Lima, sits at $983. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $1,073 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($422) is 69% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($142) is 77% below the global median of $621.

Dining out ($17) is 65% below the global median of $48.

Public transport ($4) is 88% below the global median of $33.

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	32	$463	$635	$1,003	$1,496	45.85	369.92
2	Ayacucho	99427		$92.5	$106	$235	$269	15.21	175.23
3	Cajamarca	218741	33	$500	$654	$1,263	$1,541	56.49	203.84
4	Cerro de Pasco	58899	26	$445	$530	$1,185	$1,186	164.13	230.43
5	Chachapoyas	7273						205.26	240.64
6	Chiclayo	60325	37	$557	$741	$1,331	$1,752	32.38	322.3
7	Chimbote	206213		$20.22	$18.28	$33.75	$39.08	17.27	217.6
8	Cusco	428450	38	$420	$744	$1,147	$1,546	150.86	308.9
9	Huancayo	27552	24	$437	$479	$1,069	$1,133	149.68	327.35
10	Huaraz	15169		$119	$111	$295	$262	82.69	100.91
11	Huánuco	89502		$98.0	$126	$270	$300	106.33	228.89
12	Iquitos	32853		$302	$633	$1,039	$1,655	96.67	46.38
13	La Merced	8000	26	$404	$525	$1,037	$1,218	-	-
14	Lima	9989369	49	$585	$983	$1,422	$2,056	303.43	326.15
15	Mancora	2791						85.73	48.64
16	Miraflores	99337	53	$561	$1,073	$1,164	$1,286	68.46	346.96
17	Moquegua	18861		$9.47	$10.07	$16.38	$15.55	356.91	258.33
18	Pisco	14917	26	$476	$525	$1,186	$1,106	44.44	155.54
19	Piura	158495	31	$479	$613	$987	$1,443	193	292.83
20	Pucallpa	326040		$353	$450	$804	$1,041	44.06	117.74
21	Tacna	92972		$295	$342	$591	$581	102.41	234.7
22	Talara	91444		$29.45	$27.47	$152	$342	129.21	214.43
23	Tarapoto	68295		$34.63	$31.13	$59.1	$66.4	225.47	243.8
24	Trujillo	314939	39	$396	$765	$863	$1,557	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, $1,000 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.