Skyline of Huancayo
Cost of Living: 90 400,000

Huancayo, Peru

The commercial heart of Peru's central highlands, known for its Sunday fair and Andean traditions.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Huancayo is a city in JU with a population of 400,000. The commercial heart of Peru’s central highlands, known for its Sunday fair and Andean traditions. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 90

Below Average vs Peru Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income S/32,000

Household income

Unemployment 9.0%

Job market health

Huancayo vs Peru Average

Cost of Living
Huancayo: 90
Peru Avg: 100
Housing Index
Huancayo: 100
Peru Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Huancayo: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: S/32,000
  • Unemployment: 9.0%
  • Population: 400,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 70°F
  • Winter Low: 44°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: S/200,000
  • 1BR Rent: S/900/mo

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Cost of Living

Huancayo's cost of living index is 90 (Peru average = 100).

CategoryHuancayoNational AverageDifference
Overall90100-10.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: INEI / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceS/200,000
Median Rent (1BR)S/900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)S/1,125/mo
Price per Sq FtS/133

Data source: Adondevivir / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

S/
%
$90,000 down
%
%
S/

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Huancayo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityS/80
Heating & CoolingS/15Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterS/30Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)S/35Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesS/160Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: OSINERGMIN, Sedapal, Telefónica 2025

Remote Work Score

Huancayo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
90
Rent
S/900
Sunny Days
180
Tax
30%
Unemployment
9.0%
Climate
70°F / 44°F
Safety
5.7 homicides/100k
Population
400,000
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Huancayo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January64°F44°F2.5"
April55°F59°F2.8"
July70°F45°F1.5"
October50°F62°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Huancayo faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in a highly active seismic zone with frequent major earthquakes.

Tsunami High Risk

Pacific coast vulnerable to tsunamis.

Landslide High Risk

Andean region with frequent landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in coastal and Amazon regions.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Volcanic activity in the southern Andes region.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Amazon and Andean wildfires.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Andean region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 9.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Huancayo per 100,000 residents:

200.0
Violent Crime
1,200.0
Property Crime
5.7
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year March to December
Term System Trimester — 1st (Mar-Jun), 2nd (Jul-Sep), 3rd (Oct-Dec)
Summer Break December to March (12 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break September (1 week)

Long summer break during the hottest months.

Demographics

The population of Huancayo is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Afro-Peruvian
3.6%
Aymara
2.4%
Mestizo
60.2%
Other
5.6%
Quechua
22.3%
White
5.9%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
35.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
76.0%
Christian (Protestant/Evangelical)
14.0%
Other
3.0%
Unaffiliated
7.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: INEI Census (2017)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Huancayo, Peru?

The cost of living index in Huancayo is 90, which is Lower the Peru national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Huancayo?

The median home price in Huancayo is S/200,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Huancayo is approximately S/900/mo.

Does Huancayo, JU have income tax?

Huancayo is in JU, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Huancayo?

Huancayo enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 70°F, while winter lows can drop to around 44°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INEI / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Adondevivir / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INEI Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities OSINERGMIN, Sedapal, Telefónica 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.