Cost of living in Lima

In Lima, Peru, a single person typically needs around $986 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $2437 monthly.

How expensive is Lima compared to other cities?

Lima is 12% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Lima compare to your city?

Lima is 62% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Lima is, on average, 83% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Lima?

Who is Lima a good fit for?

Lima is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Lima so expensive?

The cost of living in Lima is significantly influenced by rent and utilities, which are notably higher than average. This can impact overall affordability for residents.

Is food expensive in Lima?

Food in Lima is 21% lower than the European benchmark, making it relatively affordable. Residents can enjoy a variety of local cuisine without overspending.

Is public transport affordable in Lima?

Public transport costs in Lima are 114% higher than the European benchmark. This can be a significant factor for those relying on it for daily commutes.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
986 $
Without Rent
544 $
Rent & Utilities
443 $
Food
269 $
Transport
188 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
444 $
GDP per Capita
7,790 $
Freedom Index
7.56
Lifespan
73 years
Speak English
8%
Population
9.9M

Do you live in Lima? Help us.

Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 4.48 $
Dinner 27.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.98 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.55 $
Capuccino 3.29 $
Coke, 330ml 0.87 $

Compare Lima with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.35 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.71 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.02 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.8 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.08 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.77 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.85 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.86 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.1 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.16 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.08 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.07 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.54 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.3 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 10.3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.54 $
Cigarette pack 5.02 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 0.67 $
Monthly Pass 27.9 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.39 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 39.8 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 5.84 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 5.57 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.28 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.6 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 39 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 61 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 24.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 342 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 625 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 527 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 948 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,773 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,434 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 444 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 10.59%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 34.2 $
Cinema, 1 seat 7.2 $
Haircut 9.57 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 83.3 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 36.9 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 234 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 8,320 $

Compare Lima with other top cities

Curacao
Lima vs Willemstad (Willemstad is 41% more expensive) Lima vs Barber (Barber is 41% more expensive)
Uruguay
Lima vs Montevideo (Montevideo is 35% more expensive) Lima vs Salto (Salto is 0% more expensive) Lima vs Ciudad de la Costa (Ciudad de la Costa is 19% more expensive) Lima vs Rivera (Rivera is 23% less expensive) Lima vs Maldonado (Maldonado is 2% less expensive) Lima vs Paysandu (Paysandu is 22% less expensive) Lima vs Tacuarembo (Tacuarembo is 16% less expensive) Lima vs Melo (Melo is 26% less expensive) Lima vs Mercedes (Mercedes is 4% more expensive) Lima vs Artigas (Artigas is 11% less expensive)
Trinidad And Tobago
Lima vs Chaguanas (Chaguanas is 9% more expensive) Lima vs Port of Spain (Port of Spain is 18% more expensive) Lima vs San Fernando (San Fernando is 2% less expensive) Lima vs Scarborough (Scarborough is 12% more expensive) Lima vs San Juan (San Juan is 18% more expensive)
Chile
Lima vs Santiago (Santiago is 22% more expensive) Lima vs Puente Alto (Puente Alto is 3% less expensive) Lima vs Antofagasta (Antofagasta is 7% more expensive) Lima vs Vina del Mar (Vina del Mar is 5% less expensive) Lima vs San Bernardo (San Bernardo is 13% less expensive) Lima vs Valparaiso (Valparaiso is 3% less expensive) Lima vs Temuco (Temuco is 11% less expensive) Lima vs Rancagua (Rancagua is 14% less expensive) Lima vs Concepcion (Concepcion is 6% less expensive) Lima vs Talca (Talca is 14% less expensive)
Guyana
Lima vs Georgetown (Georgetown has similar costs) Lima vs Linden (Linden is 3% more expensive) Lima vs New Amsterdam (New Amsterdam is 3% more expensive)
Mexico
Lima vs Mexico City (Mexico City is 21% more expensive) Lima vs Tijuana (Tijuana is 6% more expensive) Lima vs Ecatepec de Morelos (Ecatepec de Morelos is 26% less expensive) Lima vs Leon (Leon is 27% less expensive) Lima vs Zapopan (Zapopan is 3% more expensive) Lima vs Guadalajara (Guadalajara is 0% less expensive) Lima vs Puebla (Puebla is 5% less expensive) Lima vs Ciudad Juarez (Ciudad Juarez is 1% less expensive) Lima vs Monterrey (Monterrey is 27% more expensive) Lima vs Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl (Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl is 27% less expensive)
Suriname
Lima vs Paramaribo (Paramaribo is 12% less expensive) Lima vs Nieuw Nickerie (Nieuw Nickerie is 15% less expensive)
Ecuador
Lima vs Guayaquil (Guayaquil is 8% less expensive) Lima vs Quito (Quito is 9% less expensive) Lima vs Cuenca (Cuenca is 22% less expensive) Lima vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 40% less expensive) Lima vs Duran (Duran is 18% less expensive) Lima vs Machala (Machala is 40% less expensive) Lima vs Manta (Manta is 12% less expensive) Lima vs Portoviejo (Portoviejo is 23% less expensive) Lima vs Loja (Loja is 37% less expensive) Lima vs Quevedo (Quevedo is 34% less expensive)
Peru
Lima vs Lima (Lima has similar costs) Lima vs Arequipa (Arequipa is 43% less expensive) Lima vs Trujillo (Trujillo is 29% less expensive) Lima vs Chiclayo (Chiclayo is 48% less expensive) Lima vs Callao (Callao is 21% less expensive) Lima vs Piura (Piura is 43% less expensive) Lima vs Cusco (Cusco is 35% less expensive) Lima vs Chimbote (Chimbote is 50% less expensive) Lima vs Huancayo (Huancayo is 40% less expensive) Lima vs Iquitos (Iquitos is 31% less expensive)
Venezuela
Lima vs Caracas (Caracas is 6% more expensive) Lima vs Maracaibo (Maracaibo is 28% less expensive) Lima vs Valencia (Valencia is 21% less expensive) Lima vs Maracay (Maracay is 26% less expensive) Lima vs Barquisimeto (Barquisimeto is 27% less expensive) Lima vs Barinas (Barinas is 19% less expensive) Lima vs Ciudad Guayana (Ciudad Guayana is 10% less expensive) Lima vs Catia La Mar (Catia La Mar is 4% less expensive) Lima vs Ciudad Bolivar (Ciudad Bolivar is 12% less expensive) Lima vs Santa Teresa del Tuy (Santa Teresa del Tuy is 8% less expensive)
Colombia
Lima vs Bogota (Bogota is 12% less expensive) Lima vs Medellin (Medellin is 11% less expensive) Lima vs Cali (Cali is 26% less expensive) Lima vs Barranquilla (Barranquilla is 20% less expensive) Lima vs Cartagena (Cartagena is 24% less expensive) Lima vs Cucuta (Cucuta is 44% less expensive) Lima vs Soacha (Soacha is 24% less expensive) Lima vs Soledad (Soledad is 15% less expensive) Lima vs Villavicencio (Villavicencio is 52% less expensive) Lima vs Bucaramanga (Bucaramanga is 35% less expensive)
Brazil
Lima vs Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo is 3% more expensive) Lima vs Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro is 3% less expensive) Lima vs Brasilia (Brasilia is 18% less expensive) Lima vs Fortaleza (Fortaleza is 27% less expensive) Lima vs Salvador (Salvador is 25% less expensive) Lima vs Belo Horizonte (Belo Horizonte is 20% less expensive) Lima vs Manaus (Manaus is 19% less expensive) Lima vs Curitiba (Curitiba is 22% less expensive) Lima vs Recife (Recife is 21% less expensive) Lima vs Goiania (Goiania is 33% less expensive)
Argentina
Lima vs Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires is 8% less expensive) Lima vs Cordoba (Cordoba is 6% less expensive) Lima vs Rosario (Rosario is 36% less expensive) Lima vs San Miguel de Tucuman (San Miguel de Tucuman is 30% less expensive) Lima vs Mar del Plata (Mar del Plata is 24% less expensive) Lima vs Salta (Salta is 26% less expensive) Lima vs San Juan (San Juan is 33% less expensive) Lima vs Lanus (Lanus is 18% less expensive) Lima vs Santiago del Estero (Santiago del Estero is 61% less expensive) Lima vs Santa Fe (Santa Fe is 28% less expensive)
Bolivia
Lima vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Santa Cruz de la Sierra is 23% less expensive) Lima vs La Paz (La Paz is 32% less expensive) Lima vs El Alto (El Alto is 35% less expensive) Lima vs Cochabamba (Cochabamba is 46% less expensive) Lima vs Sucre (Sucre is 33% less expensive) Lima vs Oruro (Oruro is 39% less expensive) Lima vs Potosi (Potosi is 49% less expensive) Lima vs Tarija (Tarija is 36% less expensive) Lima vs Sacaba (Sacaba is 46% less expensive) Lima vs Trinidad (Trinidad is 22% less expensive)
Paraguay
Lima vs Asuncion (Asuncion is 32% less expensive) Lima vs Ciudad del Este (Ciudad del Este is 46% less expensive) Lima vs Luque (Luque is 39% less expensive) Lima vs San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo is 37% less expensive) Lima vs Pedro Juan Caballero (Pedro Juan Caballero is 47% less expensive) Lima vs Caaguazu (Caaguazu is 58% less expensive) Lima vs Encarnacion (Encarnacion is 48% less expensive) Lima vs Coronel Oviedo (Coronel Oviedo is 46% less expensive) Lima vs Concepcion (Concepcion is 45% less expensive)