Arequipa, Peru

Cost of Living in Arequipa, Peru

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Arequipa costs approximately $700 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $363. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Arequipa is a city in Peru, where a single person can expect to spend about $700 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $363 per month, or $242 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 126 Mbps median download speed, and Peru offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Arequipa scores 55/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 72°F and winter highs around 68°F, with roughly 300 sunny days a year.

Top for VolcanoDigital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$700≈ $23/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$363
Internet126 Mbps
Safety55/100
Avg Temp70°F

Arequipa Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4.02
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$29.76
McDonald's Combo Meal$5.95
Cappuccino$2.53
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.38
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.37

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.71
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.12
Eggs (12)$2.38
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.81
Apples (1 lb)$0.81
Bananas (1 lb)$0.56
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.47
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.30
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.79
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$5.21
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$5.21

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.30
Taxi Start$2.08
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.35
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.22
VW Golf (New)$18,852.51

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$24.31
Mobile Phone Plan$11.38
Broadband Internet$23.81

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$25.30
Cinema Ticket$7.44
Preschool (Monthly)$76.64
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$6,845.24

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$49.60
Nike Running Shoes$68.45

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$362.50
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$241.72
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$740.48
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$401.79
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$187.23
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$93.31

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$657.07
Mortgage Interest Rate15%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Arequipa

Internet126 Mbps
Safety55/100
Healthcare45/100
Public Transit30/100
Walkability60/100
Nightlife40/100
Food Scene75/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality65/100
Green Spaces30/100
Culture80/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking80/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free183 days

Arequipa FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Arequipa?

A single person should budget around $700 per month in Arequipa, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Arequipa?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Arequipa averages $363 per month, dropping to about $242 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $740.

Is Arequipa safe?

Arequipa scores 55/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.

How fast is the internet in Arequipa?

Median download speeds in Arequipa are around 126 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 15 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Peru offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Peru offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 183 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Arequipa?

Arequipa sees summer highs around 72°F and winter highs near 68°F, with about 300 sunny days and 40 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Peru

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Peru and how to apply.