Cost of living in Arequipa (Peru) is 31% cheaper than in Lima (Peru)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,275 prices entered by 162 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Arequipa (Peru) is 10% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | S/. 20 | S/. 29 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | S/. 20 | S/. 21 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | S/. 8 | S/. 8 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | S/. 5.70 | S/. 5.63 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | S/. 9 | S/. 12 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | S/. 3.91 | S/. 4.03 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | S/. 11 | S/. 13 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | S/. 4.94 | S/. 8 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | S/. 3.02 | S/. 3.66 | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | S/. 7 | S/. 5.96 | + 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | S/. 39 | S/. 42 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | S/. 9 | S/. 8 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | S/. 2.28 | S/. 2.05 | + 11% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in Arequipa (Peru) is 40% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | S/. 1,714 | S/. 3,225 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | S/. 930 | S/. 2,095 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | S/. 138 | S/. 219 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | S/. 1,109 | S/. 2,311 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | S/. 727 | S/. 1,392 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | S/. 104 | S/. 149 | - 30% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | S/. 66 | S/. 71 | - 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | S/. 1,071 | S/. 1,069 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | S/. 340 | S/. 401 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | S/. 27 | S/. 42 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | S/. 14 | S/. 17 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Arequipa (Peru) is 18% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | S/. 137 | S/. 162 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | S/. 87 | S/. 106 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | S/. 239 | S/. 303 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | S/. 230 | S/. 275 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Arequipa (Peru) is 38% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | S/. 53,456 | S/. 55,932 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | S/. 4.71 | S/. 5.19 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | S/. 80 | S/. 165 | - 51% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | S/. 28 | S/. 67 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Arequipa (Peru) is 35% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | S/. 8 | S/. 18 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | S/. 20 | S/. 30 | - 35% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | S/. 61 | S/. 122 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | S/. 24 | S/. 17 | + 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | S/. 12 | S/. 19 | - 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | S/. 17 | S/. 19 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | S/. 5.19 | S/. 8 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | S/. 5.29 | S/. 8 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | S/. 25 | S/. 48 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Arequipa (Peru) is 30% cheaper than in Lima (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Arequipa | Lima | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | S/. 32 | S/. 51 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | S/. 28 | S/. 48 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | S/. 135 | S/. 109 | + 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | S/. 68 | S/. 170 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | S/. 26 | S/. 36 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | S/. 14 | S/. 18 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | S/. 8 | S/. 11 | - 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | S/. 2,312 | S/. 3,269 | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | S/. 0.64 | S/. 0.61 | + 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | S/. 107 | S/. 190 | - 44% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | S/. 12 | S/. 17 | - 28% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 31% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,275 prices entered by 162 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 14, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require S/. 10,000 in Lima you would need to make just about S/. 6,922 in Arequipa.
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