Average Cost of Living in Cusco
The average cost of living in Cusco, Peru is $423 per month for a single person, and $970 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $319 per month. The local average net salary is $478 per month.
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $423 / month
- Family of 4
- $970 / mo
- Student
- $248 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Cusco
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Cusco | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Cusco | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Cusco | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Cusco | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Cusco | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Cusco | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Cusco | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Cusco | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Cusco | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Cusco | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Cusco FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Cusco. |
Rent & Property Prices in Cusco
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $319 | $145 – $493 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $261 | $58 – $435 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $609 | $348 – $871 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $435 | $261 – $609 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $3,860 | — |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,765 | — |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $319$145 – $493
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $261$58 – $435
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $609$348 – $871
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $435$261 – $609
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $3,860
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,765
Grocery Prices in Cusco
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.48 | $0.96 – $1.74 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.63 | $1.67 – $3.31 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.35 | $1.16 – $1.45 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $4.06 | $2.09 – $5.22 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $4.93 | $2.90 – $6.68 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $5.13 | $4.35 – $6.68 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $7.16 | $5.80 – $8.71 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2.52 | $2.32 – $2.90 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $0.78 | $0.44 – $1.16 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.35 | $0.87 – $2.03 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $0.96 | $0.87 – $1.13 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.06 | $0.87 – $1.16 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.02 | $0.73 – $1.45 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.71 | $0.29 – $1.10 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.74 | $0.58 – $0.87 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $6.53 | $4.35 – $8.71 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $2.39 | $1.45 – $2.90 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.26 | $1.35 – $4.35 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $5.08 | — |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.48$0.96 – $1.74
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $2.63$1.67 – $3.31
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.35$1.16 – $1.45
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $4.06$2.09 – $5.22
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $4.93$2.90 – $6.68
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $5.13$4.35 – $6.68
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $7.16$5.80 – $8.71
- Apples (1 kg) $2.52$2.32 – $2.90
- Bananas (1 kg) $0.78$0.44 – $1.16
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.35$0.87 – $2.03
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $0.96$0.87 – $1.13
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.06$0.87 – $1.16
- Onions (1 kg) $1.02$0.73 – $1.45
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.71$0.29 – $1.10
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.74$0.58 – $0.87
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $6.53$4.35 – $8.71
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $2.39$1.45 – $2.90
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.26$1.35 – $4.35
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $5.08
Public Transport & Car Costs in Cusco
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.29 | $0.29 – $0.29 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | — | — |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.74 | $1.45 – $2.03 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.89 | $1.74 – $2.03 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $2.90 | — |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.64 | $1.17 – $1.90 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $19,622 | — |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $23,056 | — |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.29$0.29 – $0.29
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) —
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.74$1.45 – $2.03
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $1.89$1.74 – $2.03
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $2.90
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.64$1.17 – $1.90
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $19,622
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $23,056
Utility & Internet Costs in Cusco
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $35 | $29 – $41 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $15 | $8.71 – $15 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $32 | $20 – $44 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $35$29 – $41
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $15$8.71 – $15
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $32$20 – $44
Childcare & Preschool in Cusco
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | — | — |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | — | — |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child —
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child —
Clothing Prices in Cusco
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $38 | $20 – $55 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $30 | $15 – $52 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $65 | $35 – $87 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $74 | $58 – $87 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $38$20 – $55
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $30$15 – $52
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $65$35 – $87
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $74$58 – $87
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Cusco
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $32 | $29 – $35 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | — | — |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $5.08 | $4.35 – $5.80 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $32$29 – $35
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) —
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $5.08$4.35 – $5.80
Restaurant Prices in Cusco
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $2.90 | $1.74 – $7.26 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $36 | $20 – $87 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $6.97 | $5.80 – $7.26 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.32 | $1.45 – $3.48 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $4.35 | $4.35 – $4.64 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.13 | $1.45 – $3.48 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.50 | $0.73 – $2.90 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.92 | $0.29 – $2.03 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $2.90$1.74 – $7.26
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $36$20 – $87
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $6.97$5.80 – $7.26
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $2.32$1.45 – $3.48
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $4.35$4.35 – $4.64
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $2.13$1.45 – $3.48
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.50$0.73 – $2.90
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.92$0.29 – $2.03
Salaries & Mortgages in Cusco
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $478 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.00% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $478
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 11.00%
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Related cities
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Cusco?
- An estimated $423 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Cusco. A family of four needs around $970 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $248.
- How much money do I need to live in Cusco?
- Plan for at least $423 per month as a single person, $970 per month for a family of four, or $248 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 Cusco.
- What is the average rent in Cusco?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Cusco rents for around $319 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $609 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Cusco?
- The average monthly net salary in Cusco is around $478. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 67% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Cusco?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Cusco costs around $2.90. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $46 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.48/L) and bread ($2.63/500g) are typical.
- Is the internet expensive in Cusco?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Cusco costs around $32 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.