🇵🇪 Peru · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Lima? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, Miraflores or San IsidroPEN 3,000–5,500 / month, often quoted in USD
One-bed flat, Magdalena, Pueblo Libre, Surquillo or Jesús MaríaPEN 1,600–3,000 / month
Utilities, internet and building maintenancePEN 350–650 / month for one person
Groceries, one personPEN 800–1,400 / month, markedly less if you shop at the markets
Getting around — Metropolitano card plus occasional taxi appsPEN 250–600 / month without a car
Good to know
Population
≈10 million across Lima and the constitutional province of Callao — around a third of Peru's entire population
Languages
Spanish. Quechua and Aymara are co-official where they predominate, which is not Lima. English is common in international offices and rare elsewhere
Currency
Peruvian sol (PEN). US dollars circulate widely and many leases and property prices are quoted in them
Time zone
PET (GMT−5) — Peru does not observe daylight saving, so the gap to the US East Coast shifts twice a year
Power plug
Types A, B and C, 220 V at 60 Hz — an unusual pairing, so check dual-voltage appliances carefully
Climate
Coastal desert. Almost no rainfall, but persistent garúa fog, humidity above 80% and heavy cloud from roughly May to November
Driving side
Right
Local government
43 district municipalities plus the Municipalidad Metropolitana — your district sets your arbitrios, your rubbish collection and your serenazgo patrol
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Lima checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Lima
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.