Average Cost of Living in Arequipa
The average cost of living in Arequipa, Peru is $375 per month for a single person, and $1,047 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $354 per month. The local average net salary is $648 per month.
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $375 / month
- Family of 4
- $1,047 / mo
- Student
- $220 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Arequipa
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Arequipa | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Arequipa | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Arequipa | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Arequipa | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Arequipa | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Arequipa | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Arequipa | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Arequipa | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Arequipa | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Arequipa | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Arequipa FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Arequipa. |
Rent & Property Prices in Arequipa
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $354 | $203 – $665 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $236 | $174 – $288 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $722 | $580 – $935 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $418 | $348 – $453 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $1,965 | $1,776 – $2,902 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $979 | $877 – $1,056 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $354$203 – $665
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $236$174 – $288
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $722$580 – $935
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $418$348 – $453
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $1,965$1,776 – $2,902
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $979$877 – $1,056
Grocery Prices in Arequipa
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.31 | $0.73 – $2.61 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.38 | $0.58 – $2.18 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.49 | $1.02 – $1.74 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.32 | $1.51 – $2.79 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $6.29 | $5.80 – $6.39 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $6.05 | $3.48 – $8.13 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $7.35 | $4.64 – $10 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $1.74 | $0.87 – $2.32 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.21 | $0.87 – $1.74 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.16 | $0.87 – $1.45 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.02 | $0.58 – $1.16 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $0.65 | $0.58 – $0.73 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $0.70 | $0.29 – $0.87 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.53 | $0.44 – $0.58 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.77 | $0.58 – $0.87 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $5.08 | $4.35 – $7.26 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $3.09 | $1.16 – $4.35 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.27 | $1.60 – $2.90 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $5.08 | $5.08 – $5.22 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.31$0.73 – $2.61
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.38$0.58 – $2.18
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.49$1.02 – $1.74
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.32$1.51 – $2.79
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $6.29$5.80 – $6.39
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $6.05$3.48 – $8.13
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $7.35$4.64 – $10
- Apples (1 kg) $1.74$0.87 – $2.32
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.21$0.87 – $1.74
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.16$0.87 – $1.45
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.02$0.58 – $1.16
- Potatoes (1 kg) $0.65$0.58 – $0.73
- Onions (1 kg) $0.70$0.29 – $0.87
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.53$0.44 – $0.58
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.77$0.58 – $0.87
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $5.08$4.35 – $7.26
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $3.09$1.16 – $4.35
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.27$1.60 – $2.90
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $5.08$5.08 – $5.22
Public Transport & Car Costs in Arequipa
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.29 | $0.29 – $0.38 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $0.00 | — |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $2.03 | $2.03 – $2.12 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $2.03 | $0.87 – $2.12 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $13 | — |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.36 | $1.17 – $1.70 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $19,062 | — |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $25,522 | $25,214 – $25,831 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.29$0.29 – $0.38
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $0.00
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $2.03$2.03 – $2.12
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $2.03$0.87 – $2.12
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $13
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.36$1.17 – $1.70
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $19,062
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $25,522$25,214 – $25,831
Utility & Internet Costs in Arequipa
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $24 | $20 – $26 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $11 | $8.71 – $12 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $23 | $17 – $29 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $24$20 – $26
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $11$8.71 – $12
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $23$17 – $29
Childcare & Preschool in Arequipa
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $75 | $62 – $87 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $6,675 | — |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $75$62 – $87
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $6,675
Clothing Prices in Arequipa
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $48 | $44 – $58 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $26 | $20 – $29 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $67 | $55 – $87 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $58 | $58 – $58 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $48$44 – $58
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $26$20 – $29
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $67$55 – $87
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $58$58 – $58
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Arequipa
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $25 | $22 – $29 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $7.98 | $7.26 – $8.71 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $7.26 | $4.06 – $8.71 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $25$22 – $29
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $7.98$7.26 – $8.71
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $7.26$4.06 – $8.71
Restaurant Prices in Arequipa
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $3.77 | $2.90 – $8.71 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $29 | $13 – $35 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $5.80 | $4.35 – $5.80 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.32 | $1.16 – $4.35 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $5.80 | $2.32 – $7.26 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.47 | $2.03 – $3.77 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $0.82 | $0.58 – $1.02 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.39 | $0.29 – $0.58 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $3.77$2.90 – $8.71
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $29$13 – $35
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $5.80$4.35 – $5.80
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $2.32$1.16 – $4.35
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $5.80$2.32 – $7.26
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $2.47$2.03 – $3.77
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $0.82$0.58 – $1.02
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.39$0.29 – $0.58
Salaries & Mortgages in Arequipa
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $648 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 15.00% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $648
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 15.00%
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Arequipa?
- An estimated $375 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Arequipa. A family of four needs around $1,047 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $220.
- How much money do I need to live in Arequipa?
- Plan for at least $375 per month as a single person, $1,047 per month for a family of four, or $220 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Arequipa.
- What is the average rent in Arequipa?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Arequipa rents for around $354 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $722 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Arequipa?
- The average monthly net salary in Arequipa is around $648. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 55% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Arequipa?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Arequipa costs around $3.77. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $39 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.31/L) and bread ($1.38/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Arequipa?
- A monthly public transport pass in Arequipa costs around $0.00. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Arequipa?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Arequipa costs around $23 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.