Capital city, Peru
Cost of living in Lima
How much a month costs in Lima
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,310–2,030 (S/4,500–7,000).
Prices in Lima
Typical 2026 ranges in PEN, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | PEN | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | S/1,800–3,800 | $523–1,100 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | S/1,100–2,200 | $320–639 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | S/35–70 | $10–20 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | S/180–420 | $52–122 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | S/12–25 | $3.5–7.3 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | S/45–90 | $13–26 |
| Cappuccino | S/9–16 | $2.6–4.6 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | S/10–20 | $2.9–5.8 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | S/2–4 | $0.6–1.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | S/10–22 | $2.9–6.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | S/40–90 | $12–26 |
| Gym membership (month) | S/100–250 | $29–73 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | S/30–60 | $8.7–17.4 |
Value for money: 56/100
A value score of 56/100 means Lima gives more quality of life per dollar than 55% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 63/100. It's the 12th most affordable of 13 places we cover in Peru.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Peru
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Huaraz | $697–1,100 | 94/100 |
| Puno | $697–1,100 | 81/100 |
| Huacachina | $726–1,160 | 92/100 |
| Máncora | $726–1,220 | 87/100 |
| Paracas | $813–1,250 | 90/100 |
| Iquitos | $813–1,250 | 73/100 |
| Arequipa | $930–1,450 | 76/100 |
| Sacred Valley | $959–1,510 | 81/100 |
| Cusco | $1,020–1,600 | 58/100 |
| Nazca | $1,020–1,600 | 66/100 |
| Puerto Maldonado | $1,020–1,600 | 60/100 |
| Lima | $1,310–2,030 | 56/100 |
| Machu Picchu | $1,740–2,760 | 37/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Lima
Similar safety, lower cost, in South America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Sucre | Bolivia | $457–706 |
| Uyuni | Bolivia | $499–831 |
| Huaraz | Peru | $697–1,100 |
| Huacachina | Peru | $726–1,160 |
| Salta | Argentina | $788–1,310 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Lima?
About $639–930 on a lean budget, $1,310–2,030 for a comfortable month and $2,610–4,360 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Lima?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs S/1,800–3,800 ($523–1,100) a month in the center and S/1,100–2,200 ($320–639) outside it.
How much does food cost in Lima?
A local meal is S/12–25 ($3.5–7.3); a mid-range restaurant is S/45–90 ($13–26) per person.
Is Peru expensive?
Prices in Peru are about 52% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Lima
Going to Lima solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lima meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Lima Airport Partners
- Autoridad de Transporte Urbano (ATU)
- PROMPERÚ (Peru Travel)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.