Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Lima vs Oaxaca
Lima vs Oaxaca cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ต๐ช Lima
๐ฒ๐ฝ OaxacaLima and Oaxaca cost about the same
Living on $1,841 a month in Lima feels like about $1,898 in Oaxaca โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$121 vs $122
Per month
$1,841 vs $1,898
Local meal
S/ 18 vs MX$ 93
$4.86 vs $5
Taxi 5 km
S/ 18 vs MX$ 93
$4.86 vs $5
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportLima 9% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunLima 7% cheaper
- Where Lima is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (25%โ), Scooter rental (21%โ), SIM card (21%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Lima | Oaxaca | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S/ 18$4.86 | MX$ 93$5 | similar |
| Street food1 item | S/ 8.1$2.19 | MX$ 42$2.26 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S/ 59$15.9 | MX$ 300$16.1 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | S/ 9$2.43 | MX$ 46$2.47 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | S/ 9$2.43 | MX$ 46$2.47 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S/ 23$6.22 | MX$ 120$6.45 | similar |
| Bottled water | S/ 2$0.54 | MX$ 11$0.59 | Lima โ9% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S/ 5$1.35 | MX$ 28$1.51 | Lima โ10% |
| Taxi5 km in town | S/ 18$4.86 | MX$ 93$5 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S/ 11$2.97 | MX$ 74$3.98 | Lima โ25% |
| Transitone ride | S/ 2$0.54 | MX$ 10$0.51 | Oaxaca โ6% |
| Scooter rentalper day | S/ 74$20 | MX$ 470$25.3 | Lima โ21% |
| Hotel night3-star | S/ 260$70.3 | MX$ 1,300$69.9 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | S/ 1,800$486 | MX$ 9,300$500 | similar |
| Laundry | S/ 7.5$2.03 | MX$ 37$1.99 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | S/ 30$8.11 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Lima โ21% |
| Haircutcut | S/ 32$8.65 | MX$ 200$10.8 | Lima โ20% |
| Massage1 hour | S/ 92$24.9 | MX$ 560$30.1 | Lima โ17% |
| Half-day tourper person | S/ 150$40.5 | MX$ 740$39.8 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S/ 37$10 | MX$ 190$10.2 | 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, Lima or Oaxaca?
Lima and Oaxaca cost about the same. Daily budget $121 vs $122; a month $1,841 vs $1,898.
How do monthly costs compare between Lima and Oaxaca?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Lima is about $1,841 and Oaxaca about $1,898 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.