Cost of Living in Lima
Peru
Comfortable budget (single)
$1,754/month
Range $1,108–$1,754/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Lima?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Lima for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$2.5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$3.5
pint at pub
Lunch
$9.5
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$220
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$49
monthly pass
Gym
$23
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $831–$1,292 | ↓ -47% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $438–$692 | ↓ -48% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $35–$67 | ↓ -47% |
| Internet & Mobile | $14–$23 | ↓ -47% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $175–$263 | ↓ -47% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $23–$42 | ↓ -48% |
| Coffee | $2–$3 | ↓ -37% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $44–$53 | ↓ -47% |
| Gym membership | $16–$30 | ↓ -48% |
| Cinema ticket | $6–$8 | ↓ -50% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Lima — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$831–$1,292/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$3,660
Buy outside (per m²)
$2,020
Price-to-rent ratio
13×
Avg mortgage rate
9.0%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Lima center at ~$3,660/m² with a 25y loan at 9.0% would cost roughly $1,843/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Lima. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $2,000 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $3,200 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $2,200 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $1,400 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $1,800 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Lima.
For efficient public transport, consider getting a Metropolitano card to easily navigate Lima's main corridors, especially between districts like Miraflores and the historic center.
To save on groceries and experience local culture, shop at a traditional market like Mercado de Surquillo for fresh produce and local ingredients.
When exploring the city, use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Cabify for reliable and safe transportation, particularly at night or for longer distances.
Budget scenarios
Single
$1,108–$1,754/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,292/mo
- Groceries: ~$263/mo
- Transport: ~$53/mo
Couple
$1,754–$2,677/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,292/mo
- Groceries: ~$263/mo
- Transport: ~$53/mo
Family
$2,538–$3,923/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,292/mo
- Groceries: ~$263/mo
- Transport: ~$53/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Lima Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,039–$1,615/mo
Lima Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $914–$1,421/mo
Lima Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $665–$1,034/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Food scene
- • Pacific hub
- • History
❌ Cons
- • Coastal fog
- • Sprawl
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.