Cost of Living in Lima, Peru

Are you considering a move to Lima, Peru, and wondering about the cost of living? Lima is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Lima and help you understand whether $1510 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $410.88.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Lima, Peru
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

4.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

32.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

5.33 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.13 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.73 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.71 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.9 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.59 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.29 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.15 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.16 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.31 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

7.41 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

5.52 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

9.48 $

Apples (1 lb)

1.64 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.15 $

Oranges (1 lb)

0.98 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.06 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.03 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.12 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.72 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.74 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

9.33 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.56 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.27 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

5.33 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.53 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

25.34 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

2.67 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.87 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

8.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.59 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

21335.95 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

25060.85 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

70.13 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

29.32 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

31.93 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

16.17 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

8.0 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

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

209.61 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

6534.13 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

44.62 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

29.11 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

78.73 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

89.53 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

532.08 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

346.0 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

978.25 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

661.37 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

1608.5 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1242.63 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

410.88 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

9.62 %

Cost of Living in Lima, Peru

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Lima?

The monthly expenses for living in Lima come to a total of approximately $1510. This includes an average monthly rent of around $532 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $84 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $483 per month.

How affordable is living in Lima?

Living in Lima appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $410.88. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Lima, you would likely need an income exceeding $410.88.

What is the average salary in Lima?

In Lima, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $410.88, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Lima?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Lima is approximately $532. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $346.0 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Lima?

The expense for groceries in Lima can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $337 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Peru?

The cost of living in Peru can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Peru.

Lima, Peru

How Safe Is Lima, Peru for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Lima, Peru

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

When it comes to crime level in Lima, there is not much violent crime, but standard safety precautions are recommended due to the existence of petty crime. You need to protect your valuables, even in nice tourist areas. Some areas of Lima are safer than others, so visitors should stay out of these dangerous areas. Downtown Lima is normally well patrolled by the police.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Taxis are mostly safe in Lima, but you can feel safe only if you use radio taxis from places like a hotel. Green Taxi, CMV, and Mitsui Taxi Remisse are reputable companies. However, there have been reports of tourists being assaulted by the taxi driver. Even though you do not know where you are going pretend that you know the route. Taxi drivers have also been known to participate in robberies and express kidnappings.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

The pickpocket risk exists in Lima in tourist locations and public transportation and bag snatching are also very frequent. Tourists need to be aware of people around them since there are polite people but stay away from the extremely friendly ones. You need to be watchful and exercise caution before and after using ATMs on the street.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Some of the possible natural hazards in Lima are flooding and landslides, due to the rains. Storms, severe weather and earthquakes are also common since Peru is located in an active seismic region. Volcanoes in southern Peru are active and tsunamis might occur in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The victims of mugging are usually people walking alone at night. The main aim of muggers is to rob you, so do not resist and hand over your valuables. Violent crime, including sexual assault and armed robbery, occurs frequently in Lima. The mugging frequently occurs after the spiking of food and drinks. Foreigners are assaulted and robbed on boats, as well as on intercity buses.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

In isolated areas, maintain a high level of vigilance, since terrorism is a threat throughout the world. The attacks might occur in Lima, and travelers need to follow the advice of local authorities if happen to be in the middle of the incident.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Scam risks are frequent as in any other big city and taxi drivers are the first ones to deceive travelers by overcharging them. Credit card skimming and fraud are possible in Lima, so be watchful when taking money from ATMs. Drink spiking happens, so do not leave your drinks unattainable at night clubs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Many women reported that they have been sexually assaulted in Lima, so female travelers need to avoid isolated locations and traveling alone after dark. However, many women travelers spent their visit without experiencing any trouble in Lima.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Entry requirements for Peru differ and depend on the country you are coming from. Australians, as well as most countries, do not need a visa to enter Peru if they come as a tourist, but the passport should be valid for at least six months.

currency_exchange

Currency

The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo sol. You can use ATMs that are available in most places and credit cards are accepted. It is very hard to change money other than Euros and US-Dollars in Lima. You should be aware of your security when using ATMs on the street.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The weather in Peru differs from place to place, but the winter lasts from June to September and it is followed by heavy rain. However, the tropical climate in Lima makes that it hardly ever rains. In the summer, the weather is beautiful, very warm and sunny.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Jorge Chavez International Airport has regular international flights and it is the busiest international airport in Peru. The airport is located in Callao, which is 11 kilometers away from Lima.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy is necessary when coming to Peru and it should cover not only medical problems but also theft which might happen to anyone in Lima.

Lima, Peru

What about weather in Lima, Peru ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 79°F 80°F 80°F 76°F 72°F 69°F 67°F 67°F 67°F 69°F 72°F 76°F
Temp 72°F 74°F 73°F 70°F 66°F 64°F 63°F 62°F 63°F 64°F 66°F 70°F
Low 68°F 69°F 68°F 65°F 62°F 61°F 60°F 59°F 60°F 61°F 63°F 65°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 26°C 26°C 26°C 24°C 22°C 20°C 19°C 19°C 19°C 20°C 22°C 24°C
Temp 22°C 23°C 22°C 21°C 18°C 17°C 17°C 16°C 17°C 17°C 18°C 21°C
Low 20°C 20°C 20°C 18°C 16°C 16°C 15°C 15°C 15°C 16°C 17°C 18°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Peru with Lima

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries