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Arequipa vs Lima cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ต๐ช Arequipa
๐ต๐ช Lima
At a glance
- Where Lima is clearly cheaper: Taxi (20%โ), Entry ticket (18%โ)
- Where Arequipa is clearly cheaper: Transit (69%โ), Haircut (50%โ), Half-day tour (50%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Arequipa is easier to travel (2.6 vs 3.0). Biggest gap: getting around โ Arequipa 2 vs Lima 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Arequipa | Lima | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S/ 15$4.05 | S/ 20$5.41 | Arequipa โ25% |
| Street food1 item | S/ 8$2.16 | S/ 9$2.43 | Arequipa โ11% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S/ 50$13.5 | S/ 59$15.9 | Arequipa โ15% |
| Coffeeone cup | S/ 12$3.24 | S/ 12$3.24 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | S/ 8$2.16 | S/ 10$2.7 | Arequipa โ20% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S/ 22$5.95 | S/ 26$7.03 | Arequipa โ15% |
| Bottled water | S/ 2$0.54 | S/ 2.2$0.59 | Arequipa โ9% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S/ 3$0.81 | S/ 3.5$0.95 | Arequipa โ14% |
| Taxi5 km in town | S/ 15$4.05 | S/ 12$3.24 | Lima โ20% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S/ 8$2.16 | S/ 8$2.16 | similar |
| Transitone ride | S/ 1$0.27 | S/ 3.2$0.86 | Arequipa โ69% |
| Scooter rentalper day | S/ 45$12.2 | S/ 50$13.5 | Arequipa โ10% |
| Hotel night3-star | S/ 200$54.1 | S/ 200$54.1 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | S/ 900$243 | S/ 1,750$473 | Arequipa โ49% |
| Laundry | S/ 6$1.62 | S/ 8$2.16 | Arequipa โ25% |
| SIM card1 week data | S/ 20$5.41 | S/ 30$8.11 | Arequipa โ33% |
| Haircutcut | S/ 15$4.05 | S/ 30$8.11 | Arequipa โ50% |
| Massage1 hour | S/ 70$18.9 | S/ 90$24.3 | Arequipa โ22% |
| Half-day tourper person | S/ 50$13.5 | S/ 100$27 | Arequipa โ50% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S/ 45$12.2 | S/ 37$10 | Lima โ18% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Arequipa or Lima?
Arequipa is 18% cheaper than Lima. Daily budget $98.1 vs $103; a month $1,311 vs $1,835.
Which is easier to travel, Arequipa or Lima?
Arequipa is easier: Arequipa 2.6/5 vs Lima 3.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Arequipa and Lima?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Arequipa is about $1,311 and Lima about $1,835 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.