Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Cusco vs Lima
Cusco vs Lima cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ต๐ช Cusco
๐ต๐ช LimaCusco is 16% cheaper than Lima
Living on $1,592 a month in Cusco feels like about $1,841 in Lima โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$103 vs $121
Per month
$1,592 vs $1,841
Local meal
S/ 15 vs S/ 18
$4.05 vs $4.86
Taxi 5 km
S/ 15 vs S/ 18
$4.05 vs $4.86
At a glance
FoodCusco 15% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportCusco 11% cheaper
StayCusco 22% cheaper
FunLima 9% cheaper
- Where Lima is clearly cheaper: Haircut (18%โ), Massage (16%โ), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (15%โ)
- Where Cusco is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (28%โ), Transit (25%โ), Local meal (17%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Cusco | Lima | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S/ 15$4.05 | S/ 18$4.86 | Cusco โ17% |
| Street food1 item | S/ 6.8$1.84 | S/ 8.1$2.19 | Cusco โ16% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S/ 52$14.1 | S/ 59$15.9 | Cusco โ12% |
| Coffeeone cup | S/ 9$2.43 | S/ 9$2.43 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | S/ 9$2.43 | S/ 9$2.43 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S/ 23$6.22 | S/ 23$6.22 | similar |
| Bottled water | S/ 2$0.54 | S/ 2$0.54 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S/ 5$1.35 | S/ 5$1.35 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | S/ 15$4.05 | S/ 18$4.86 | Cusco โ17% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S/ 13$3.51 | S/ 11$2.97 | Lima โ15% |
| Transitone ride | S/ 1.5$0.41 | S/ 2$0.54 | Cusco โ25% |
| Scooter rentalper day | S/ 85$23 | S/ 74$20 | Lima โ13% |
| Hotel night3-star | S/ 220$59.5 | S/ 260$70.3 | Cusco โ15% |
| Studio rent (month) | S/ 1,300$351 | S/ 1,800$486 | Cusco โ28% |
| Laundry | S/ 7.5$2.03 | S/ 7.5$2.03 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | S/ 30$8.11 | S/ 30$8.11 | similar |
| Haircutcut | S/ 39$10.5 | S/ 32$8.65 | Lima โ18% |
| Massage1 hour | S/ 110$29.7 | S/ 92$24.9 | Lima โ16% |
| Half-day tourper person | S/ 170$45.9 | S/ 150$40.5 | Lima โ12% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S/ 37$10 | S/ 37$10 | similar |
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, Cusco or Lima?
Cusco is 16% cheaper than Lima. Daily budget $103 vs $121; a month $1,592 vs $1,841.
How do monthly costs compare between Cusco and Lima?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cusco is about $1,592 and Lima about $1,841 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.