Lima, Peru

Cost of Living in Lima, Peru

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Lima costs approximately $977 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $729. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 364 sunny days a year.

Top for CoworkingTop for Medical TourismDigital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$977≈ $33/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$729
Internet252 Mbps
Safety48/100
Avg Temp73°F

Lima Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4.46
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$29.76
McDonald's Combo Meal$7.11
Cappuccino$2.99
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.38
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.64

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.65
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.43
Eggs (12)$2.88
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.96
Apples (1 lb)$0.98
Bananas (1 lb)$0.47
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.61
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.40
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.94
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$8.93
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$5.95

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.71
Monthly Transit Pass$22.68
Taxi Start$3.57
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.83
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.33
VW Golf (New)$21,951.65

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$64.09
Mobile Phone Plan$14.03
Broadband Internet$25.60

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$32.65
Cinema Ticket$7.44
Preschool (Monthly)$214.53
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$13,392.76

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$51.31
Nike Running Shoes$87.18

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$728.84
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$400.98
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,156.10
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$637.14
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$210.74
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$138.57

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$644.81
Mortgage Interest Rate9.11%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,118
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$576.30

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Lima

Internet252 Mbps
Safety48/100
Healthcare59/100
Public Transit42/100
Walkability52/100
Nightlife57/100
Food Scene88/100
Fine Dining38/100
Coffee Culture65/100
Air Quality83/100
Green Spaces45/100
Culture85/100
Beaches50/100
Hiking82/100
Surfing55/100
Coworking Spaces25
US Visa-Free180 days

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.

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 364 sunny days and 15 rainy days per year.

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.