Cost of Living in Lima, Peru
Lima is a city in Peru, where a single person can expect to spend about $977 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $729 per month, or $401 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 252 Mbps median download speed, and Peru offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Lima scores 48/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 74°F and winter highs around 71°F, with roughly 289 sunny days a year.
Lima Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Lima
How Lima Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Lima ranks in the top 12% for food scene, but sits in the bottom 28% for safety. It is cheaper than 74% of them.
| Metric | Lima | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $977 | #88 of 340 | #36 of 63 |
| Safety | 48/100 | #249 of 340 | #28 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 59/100 | #246 of 340 | #27 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 252 Mbps | #100 of 340 | #2 of 63 |
| Walkability | 52/100 | #200 of 340 | #32 of 63 |
| Public transit | 42/100 | #151 of 340 | #15 of 63 |
| Food scene | 88/100 | #40 of 340 | #3 of 63 |
| Air quality | 83/100 | #148 of 340 | #19 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Lima
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Lima.
- Bariloche, Argentina — $720/mo, 26% cheaper, safety 65/100
- Mendoza, Argentina — $680/mo, 30% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Oaxaca, Mexico — $800/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 55/100
- Arequipa, Peru — $700/mo, 28% cheaper, safety 55/100
Neighborhoods in Lima
Miraflores · Barranco · San Isidro
Communities & Expat Groups
Digital Nomads Lima · Peru Exchange Lima
Lima FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Lima?
A single person should budget around $977 per month in Lima, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,118 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Lima?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Lima averages $729 per month, dropping to about $401 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,156.
Is Lima safe?
Lima scores 48/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 48/100.
How fast is the internet in Lima?
Median download speeds in Lima are around 252 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 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 Lima?
Lima sees summer highs around 74°F and winter highs near 71°F, with about 289 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 10 days.
Lima in our travel guides
Visa Requirements for Peru
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Peru and how to apply.
Explore More
See Lima on the interactive map →