Lima Cost of Living 2026
Peru · Big city — far cheaper than the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Lima price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S/18$4.86 | S/12.6 – S/28.8 | S/34.6+ |
| Street food1 item | S/8.1$2.19 | S/4.9 – S/14.6 | S/17.5+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S/59$15.9 | S/41.3 – S/94.4 | S/113.3+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | S/8.1$2.19 | S/4.9 – S/14.6 | S/17.5+ |
| Coffeeone cup | S/9$2.43 | S/5.4 – S/14.4 | S/17.3+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | S/7.5$2.03 | S/4.5 – S/13.5 | S/16.2+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S/5$1.35 | S/3 – S/9.5 | S/11.4+ |
| Bottled water | S/2$0.54 | S/1.4 – S/4 | S/4.8+ |
| Beerone bottle | S/9$2.43 | S/5.4 – S/15.3 | S/18.4+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S/23$6.22 | S/13.8 – S/39.1 | S/46.9+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | S/18$4.86 | S/14.4 – S/28.8 | S/34.6+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S/11$2.97 | S/7.7 – S/19.8 | S/23.8+ |
| Transitone ride | S/2$0.54 | S/1.8 – S/2.6 | S/3.1+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | S/74$20 | S/51.8 – S/118.4 | S/142.1+ |
| Hotel night3-star | S/260$70.3 | S/156 – S/416 | S/499.2+ |
| Laundry | S/7.5$2.03 | S/5.2 – S/12 | S/14.4+ |
| SIM card1 week data | S/30$8.11 | S/21 – S/51 | S/61.2+ |
| Haircutcut | S/32$8.65 | S/19.2 – S/57.6 | S/69.1+ |
| Massage1 hour | S/92$24.9 | S/64.4 – S/147.2 | S/176.6+ |
| Half-day tourper person | S/150$40.5 | S/105 – S/240 | S/288+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S/37$10 | S/29.6 – S/51.8 | S/62.2+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate S/3.7 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Lima
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Lima for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $1,102) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $738) comes to roughly $1,841 a month. A local long-term lease (studio S/1,800) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Lima?
A mid-range room (about $72.4 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $121 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Lima is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect S/14.4 – S/28.8. Anything above S/34.6 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Lima?
Coffee about S/9 ($2.43), a local meal about S/18 ($4.86), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about S/59.