Town in Cusco, Peru
Cost of living in Machu Picchu
How much a month costs in Machu Picchu
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,740–2,760 (S/6,000–9,500).
Prices in Machu Picchu
Typical 2026 ranges in PEN, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | PEN | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | S/40–90 | $12–26 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | S/220–500 | $64–145 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | S/18–30 | $5.2–8.7 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | S/45–90 | $13–26 |
| Cappuccino | S/10–16 | $2.9–4.6 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | S/12–22 | $3.5–6.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | S/35–70 | $10–20 |
Value for money: 37/100
A value score of 37/100 means Machu Picchu gives more quality of life per dollar than 36% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 68/100. It's the 13th 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 Machu Picchu
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 Machu Picchu?
About $871–1,310 on a lean budget, $1,740–2,760 for a comfortable month and $3,490–5,810 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Machu Picchu?
A local meal is S/18–30 ($5.2–8.7); 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 Machu Picchu
Going to Machu Picchu solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Machu Picchu official tickets (Ministry of Culture)
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (SERNANP)
- PeruRail tickets to Machu Picchu
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.