Cost of Living in Peru (2025): A Monthly Budget Breakdown
Peru’s been on our radar since we started sketching this trip but now that we’re deep in the budget planning phase, we needed real numbers. We haven’t touched down yet, but we’ve crunched the costs, read the threads, extensive used Numbeo and mapped out what life here could actually look like.
Quick Overview: How Much Does It Cost to Live in Peru (2025)?
Based on current data from Numbeo and some obsessive late-night currency conversions, Peru remains one of the most affordable countries for long-term travel in South America especially if you’re coming from the UK.
Here’s the high-level breakdown:
Single person (excluding rent): ~£379/month (1,882 Peruvian soles)
Family of four (excluding rent): ~£1,352/month (6,714 S/.)
Rent adds anywhere from £200 to £500/month, depending on where you are and how centrally you’re living.
That puts Peru at around 54% cheaper than the UK, with rent coming in roughly 70% lower. And while Lima is one of the pricier cities, places like Cusco, Arequipa, and the Sacred Valley offer a slower pace at even lower prices, especially if you’re not in a rush and don’t mind swapping Starbucks for street food and views.
Skimmable Summary:
| Type | Avg. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Person: | £379 (excl. rent) | Local living, modest lifestyle |
| Family of Four: | £1,352 (excl. rent) | Moderate city life |
| Rent Range: | £200–£500 | Based on location + space |
| Overall Cost Drop vs UK: | ~54% lower | Rent up to 70% less |
As with everywhere we’ve researched, where you base yourself matters and so does how fast you move. But if you’re trying to stretch savings or travel slow on a budget that still allows for day trips, good coffee, and the odd empanada splurge? Peru definitely holds up.
Table of Contents
Rent in Peru: How Much Will You Actually Pay?
We’ve been building our budget with Peru in mind for a while now and if our research is anything to go by, housing here strikes a pretty ideal balance: affordable, flexible, and family-manageable. Whether you’re aiming for the energy of Lima or the mountain calm of Cusco, rent prices are significantly lower than what you’d find in the UK.
According to Numbeo, monthly rent for a 1–3 bedroom apartment in Peru generally falls between £200 and £500, depending on the city, neighbourhood, and whether you’re living centrally or a bit further out.
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Rental Averages by Location
Type of Apartment
| Average Cost (Lima/Cusco) |
|---|---|
| 1-bed (city centre): | £300–£350 / 1,450–1,700 S/. |
| 1-bed (outside centre): | £220–£260 / 1,050–1,200 S/. |
| 3-bed (city centre): | £420–£500 / 2,000–2,400 S/. |
| 3-bed (outside centre): | £300–£355 / 1,400–1,727 S/. |
If you’re slow-travelling like us, staying 4+ weeks in each place the monthly rate for a decent apartment can drop even lower, especially if you’re booking through local listings or Facebook groups instead of Airbnb. That’s where long-term deals and more local-style rentals start to show up.
Though it is then a risk booking for that long of a period if you happy to get the classic appartment and are not as described.
For planning purposes, we’re budgeting around £400–£450/month for a two- to three-bedroom place with natural light, Wi-Fi that actually works, and space for the kids not to climb the walls. We’re not aiming luxury just livable.
And based on everything we’ve read (and bookmarked), that’s not just possible in Peru — it’s the norm. Also, being realistic and these could potentially be local prices and Airbnb is a whole different price bracket.
Food Costs: Grocery Staples & Eating Out
When you’re budgeting for long-term travel with kids, food is the wildcard. It’s not just about cost it’s about snacks, second snacks, and emergency backup snacks. So naturally, we’ve dug into the food prices in Peru with both calculators and cravings.
Grocery Basics (Based on Numbeo 2025)
| Item | Avg. Price (GBP / S/.) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | £1.05 / 4.90 S/. |
| Eggs (12) | £1.85 / 8.60 S/. |
| Chicken (1kg) | £4.10 / 19 S/. |
| Bread (500g loaf) | £1.20 / 5.50 S/. |
| Rice (1kg) | £1.10 / 5 S/. |
| Apples (1kg) | £1.50 / 7 S/. |
| Cheese (local, 1kg) | £4.90 / 22.5 S/. |
Supermarkets are easy to find in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, but local markets are where the real value is especially for fresh fruit and veg. There’s a strong seasonal variety, and plenty of familiar staples if you’re cooking for picky eaters (or just yourself, quietly losing it at 6PM).
Eating Out
Local lunch (menu del día): £3–£5 / 14–24 S/.
Casual dinner for two: £20–£25 / 95–115 S/.
Cappuccino: £2.20 / 9.50 S/.
Midweek pizza run for the family: ~£10–15 total
Restaurants catering to tourists are more expensive, but if you’re mixing in home cooking and street food, the daily average can be kept low. It’s totally realistic for a couple to eat out a few times a week and stay under £300/month, and for families, a £350–£400 grocery + casual eating out budget seems reasonable.
Our plan? Stock the fridge, eat out strategically, and always carry emergency snacks. Because Peru might be cheap but hanger is expensive.
Plus I’m a big eater but at the same time can fast easily for 24 hours, so will be mentally prepared to fast on longer journey etc where food may not be the healthiest.
Utilities, Internet & Mobile
We’ve learned one thing from planning long-term travel with kids: Wi-Fi isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. Whether it’s uploading content, remote work, or streaming Bluey while someone makes dinner, utilities and connectivity matter.
Utilities (Based on Numbeo 2025)
Monthly costs for basic utilities, including electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage for an average 85m² apartment land around £35–£40 (160–180 S/.), depending on the city and how hot or cold things get.
Lima, with its coastal climate, tends to be stable and affordable. Cusco and other higher-altitude regions may need occasional heating, but air con is usually not necessary.
Internet
60 Mbps+ Unlimited Broadband: ~£20/month (92 S/.)
Local providers like Movistar and Claro offer decent packages, though reviews on consistency vary by city and neighbourhood.
If you’re working online or uploading content, check reviews on the actual building or neighbourhood before booking long stays. A “great Wi-Fi” claim on Airbnb doesn’t always mean much, we’ll be testing it properly once we’re there.
Mobile Data
Prepaid SIM with 10–15GB data + minutes: ~£8–£12/month (40–55 S/.)
Easy to top up at corner shops, online, or via app
Providers: Claro, Movistar, Entel
We’re budgeting around £90–£100/month total for internet, utilities, and two mobile lines. Enough to keep the lights on, the blog live, and the WhatsApp group chat full of “Are we sure about this?” messages.
Transport: Public Travel & Taxis
The good news? You don’t need a car in Peru. The even better news? You probably don’t want one. Between city buses, colectivos (shared taxis), and walkable neighbourhoods, getting around is affordable and often an adventure in itself.
Local Transport (Based on Numbeo + Travel Forums)
Bus fare (single ride): £0.40–£0.70 / 2–3.50 S/.
Monthly transport pass (Lima): ~£12 / 60 S/.
Taxi base fare: ~£1.60 / 8 S/.
Per km (taxi): ~£1.40 / 6.50 S/.
Apps like Uber and Beat are active in major cities, with prices generally cheaper than the UK and consistent. That said, local taxis can be very affordable too, just be ready to agree on the fare upfront in smaller towns. I have heard of horror stories with local taxi and people recommend to get Uber for example.
In Lima, Metropolitano (the bus rapid transit system) is a popular option, though it can get packed at peak times. Cusco and Arequipa offer reliable minibuses and collectivos that run regular routes and cost next to nothing.
Intercity Travel
If you’re planning to move slowly between cities so say, Lima to Cusco, or Arequipa to Puno, long-distance buses are the budget-friendly answer.
Comfortable coach (12–20 hrs): £15–£25 / 70–115 S/.
Bonus: Peru has some of the most scenic road routes in South America (motion sickness pills advised).
We’re budgeting ~£100–£120/month for all transport, including city rides, occasional taxis, and the odd intercity journey. No car, no stress, just transit, snacks, and the usual chorus of “are we there yet?”
Childcare & Schooling
One of the biggest questions we keep circling back to:
how do you travel long-term with kids and still give them structure?
For us, that’s meant diving into school costs, worldschooling options, and backup plans involving sticker books and downloaded phonics apps.
In Peru, you’ve got a solid range of choices from local preschools to international schools with bilingual curriculums. Prices vary widely by city, but overall, Peru is more affordable than many other countries we’ve researched.
Childcare & Preschool (Private)
Private preschool (full-time): ~£120/month (585 S/.)
Often includes meals and extended care hours
Language immersion opportunities (Spanish + English)
Local Facebook groups and expat forums have loads of listings for part-time and flexible enrolment.
International Schools
Annual tuition: ~£4,000–£7,500/year (19,000–36,000 S/.)
Mostly concentrated in Lima
British, American, and IB curriculum options
Term-based and rolling admissions vary by school
If you’re planning to settle for longer in one place, or want continuity across countries, international schools may make sense, but they can eat up a big chunk of your travel budget fast.
Our Plan
We’re going to predominantly world/home school the kids with Tania being an English teacher this massively helps but knowing potential school costs and also the fact that Tania would able to get a teaching position very easy this helps too.
Lifestyle Extras: Fitness, Fun, Coffee & Treats
You can track rent, groceries, and mobile bills all you want, but it’s the little stuff that sneaks into your budget. And honestly? It’s the little stuff that makes long-term travel sustainable.
Whether it’s a gym session, a Friday night burger, or a flat white you didn’t really need (but deeply needed), here’s what we’ve factored in for all those extras that make life feel normal-ish while on the move.
Health & Fitness
Gym membership: £20–£25/month (90–115 S/.)
Available in most cities with decent equipment, even in smaller towns, you’ll often find local gyms or yoga studios. (cheap alternative s bodyweight exercise for free)Drop-in fitness classes: £3–£5 (14–24 S/.)
Ideal for shorter stays or just keeping things flexible.
Cafes & Outings
Cappuccino: ~£2.20 / 9.50 S/.
Budget for at least a few per week if you’re working remotely or just trying to parent with your eyes open like us.Cinema ticket: £5–£6 / 22–28 S/.
Casual lunch or burger meal: £4–£6 / 18–28 S/.
Domestic beer: £1.70 / 7.80 S/.
Bottle of decent wine: £7–£10 / 32–45 S/.
There’s a good mix of local chains and independent cafes in places like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. And for family-friendly options, malls and open-air plazas offer affordable food courts, playgrounds, and sweet distractions on tight days.
What We’re Budgeting
We’re setting aside £100–£150/month for these lifestyle extras, enough for spontaneous coffees, kids’ treats, a few “let’s not cook tonight” moments, and the odd cultural experience or museum trip.
Because travel on a budget doesn’t mean skipping joy it just means planning for it.
Travelling to Ecuador, read out cost of living in Ecaudor post.
Is Peru Affordable in 2025? Our Take
We haven’t set foot in Peru yet, but based on everything we’ve researched, mapped, and plugged into the spreadsheet, we can confidently say: yes, Peru still offers serious value for long-term travel.
Compared to UK living costs, Peru is about 54% cheaper overall, with rent often 70% lower. That’s not just budget-friendly, it’s lifestyle-altering, especially if you’re travelling as a family, slow-moving, or trying to stretch savings without sacrificing quality of life.
Who Peru Works Well For:
Remote workers who want affordable city life + cultural depth
Families who need space, routine, and reliable costs
Couples or solo travellers ready to explore without panic-budgeting
Is it perfect? No.
Internet speeds can vary. Altitude can be a thing (hello, Cusco). And there’ll definitely be days when the bus doesn’t show or the coffee’s weird. We’re prepared for this.
But if you’re looking for a country where your money goes further, and the lifestyle return is high, Peru earns its place on the map.
We’re planning for a family budget of around £1,700–£2,000/month, including rent, food, transport, education, and a bit of breathing room. That’s tight but totally manageable, especially for slow travel. Obviously actully doing this is a whole differetn ball game but we can plan for worst case.
We’ll update this post when we’ve actually lived it, but right now? The numbers say yes.
