Cusco, Peru

Cost of Living in Cusco, Peru

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Cusco costs approximately $809 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $327. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Cusco is a city in Peru, where a single person can expect to spend about $809 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $327 per month, or $268 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 126 Mbps median download speed, and Peru offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Cusco scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 62°F and winter highs around 67°F, with roughly 360 sunny days a year.

Top for MountainTop for National ParkTop for WaterfallTop for Yoga WellnessTop for HikingTop for Local MarketTop for SouvenirTop for Day TripDigital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$809≈ $27/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$327
Internet126 Mbps
Safety58/100
Avg Temp65°F

Cusco Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$2.98
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$35.77
McDonald's Combo Meal$7.14
Cappuccino$2.18
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.38
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.94

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.52
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.43
Eggs (12)$4.17
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.38
Apples (1 lb)$1.17
Bananas (1 lb)$0.36
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.45
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.49
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.76
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$6.70
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$5.21

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.30
Taxi Start$1.79
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.11
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.67
VW Golf (New)$20,121.43

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$35.71
Mobile Phone Plan$14.88
Broadband Internet$32.74

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$32.74
Cinema Ticket$5.21

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$38.69
Nike Running Shoes$66.47

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$327.38
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$267.86
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$625
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$446.43
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$367.74
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$168.11

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$424.11
Mortgage Interest Rate11%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Cusco

Internet126 Mbps
Safety58/100
Healthcare59/100
Public Transit30/100
Walkability72/100
Nightlife40/100
Food Scene78/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture55/100
Air Quality92/100
Green Spaces50/100
Culture95/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking92/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free180 days

Cusco FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Cusco?

A single person should budget around $809 per month in Cusco, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Cusco?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Cusco averages $327 per month, dropping to about $268 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $625.

Is Cusco safe?

Cusco scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 52/100.

How fast is the internet in Cusco?

Median download speeds in Cusco 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 180 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Cusco?

Cusco sees summer highs around 62°F and winter highs near 67°F, with about 360 sunny days and 203 rainy days per year.

Cusco in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Peru

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