Cost of living in Lima (Peru) is 23% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,925 prices entered by 423 different people.
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Buenos Aires has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
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Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Lima (Peru) is 41% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | S/. 29 (ARS $8,573) | ARS $24,282 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | S/. 22 (ARS $6,356) | ARS $12,891 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | S/. 8 (ARS $2,392) | ARS $4,587 | - 48% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | S/. 5.63 (ARS $1,651) | ARS $1,585 | + 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | S/. 12 (ARS $3,418) | ARS $3,613 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | S/. 4.03 (ARS $1,183) | ARS $2,542 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | S/. 13 (ARS $3,848) | ARS $7,309 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | S/. 8 (ARS $2,205) | ARS $2,571 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | S/. 3.66 (ARS $1,074) | ARS $1,123 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | S/. 5.96 (ARS $1,748) | ARS $1,815 | - 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | S/. 42 (ARS $12,333) | ARS $8,566 | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | S/. 8 (ARS $2,436) | ARS $3,340 | - 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | S/. 2.05 (ARS $601) | ARS $1,187 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 18% | |||
| Housing in Lima (Peru) is 18% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | S/. 3,285 (ARS $963,573) | ARS $1,244,190 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | S/. 2,095 (ARS $614,459) | ARS $798,025 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | S/. 219 (ARS $64,282) | ARS $107,064 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | S/. 2,311 (ARS $677,981) | ARS $775,899 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | S/. 1,392 (ARS $408,465) | ARS $453,046 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | S/. 149 (ARS $43,667) | ARS $67,743 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | S/. 71 (ARS $20,766) | ARS $21,825 | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | S/. 1,069 (ARS $313,535) | ARS $435,197 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | S/. 401 (ARS $117,685) | ARS $278,993 | - 58% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | S/. 42 (ARS $12,346) | ARS $7,774 | + 59% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | S/. 18 (ARS $5,170) | ARS $4,238 | + 22% | |
| Clothes | - 59% | |||
| Clothes in Lima (Peru) is 59% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | S/. 162 (ARS $47,462) | ARS $134,845 | - 65% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | S/. 106 (ARS $31,173) | ARS $81,213 | - 62% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | S/. 303 (ARS $88,994) | ARS $148,747 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | S/. 275 (ARS $80,580) | ARS $139,318 | - 42% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in Lima (Peru) is 19% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | S/. 55,932 (ARS $16,408,347) | ARS $28,253,100 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | S/. 5.19 (ARS $1,522) | ARS $1,297 | + 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | S/. 165 (ARS $48,335) | ARS $31,500 | + 53% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | S/. 67 (ARS $19,627) | ARS $15,806 | + 24% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Lima (Peru) is 10% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | S/. 18 (ARS $5,215) | ARS $6,469 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | S/. 30 (ARS $8,915) | ARS $14,340 | - 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | S/. 122 (ARS $35,900) | ARS $30,451 | + 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | S/. 17 (ARS $4,976) | ARS $7,293 | - 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | S/. 19 (ARS $5,429) | ARS $4,251 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | S/. 19 (ARS $5,514) | ARS $6,606 | - 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | S/. 8 (ARS $2,254) | ARS $2,755 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | S/. 8 (ARS $2,287) | ARS $3,829 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | S/. 48 (ARS $14,164) | ARS $18,963 | - 25% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Lima (Peru) is 37% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Lima | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | S/. 58 (ARS $17,057) | ARS $47,570 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | S/. 50 (ARS $14,578) | ARS $17,523 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | S/. 109 (ARS $31,871) | ARS $85,516 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | S/. 164 (ARS $48,078) | ARS $74,327 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | S/. 36 (ARS $10,660) | ARS $10,037 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | S/. 18 (ARS $5,217) | ARS $6,166 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | S/. 11 (ARS $3,245) | ARS $5,527 | - 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | S/. 3,390 (ARS $994,620) | ARS $896,363 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | S/. 0.61 (ARS $178) | ARS $519 | - 66% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | S/. 170 (ARS $49,872) | ARS $45,847 | + 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | S/. 18 (ARS $5,165) | ARS $3,981 | + 30% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,925 prices entered by 423 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
293.363
ARS
/
PEN
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ARS $3,990,000 in Buenos Aires you would need to make just about ARS $3,072,426 (S/. 10,473) in Lima.
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