Skyline of Lima
Cost of Living: 110 10,000,000

Lima, Peru

Peru's sprawling coastal capital, a world-class culinary destination with ancient ruins, colonial architecture, and a vibrant arts scene.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Lima is a city in LI with a population of 10,000,000. Peru’s sprawling coastal capital, a world-class culinary destination with ancient ruins, colonial architecture, and a vibrant arts scene. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7a growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs Peru Avg (100)

Housing Index 140

Above Average

Median Income S/60,000

Household income

Unemployment 7.5%

Job market health

Lima vs Peru Average

Cost of Living
Lima: 110
Peru Avg: 100
Housing Index
Lima: 140
Peru Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Lima: 30%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: S/60,000
  • Unemployment: 7.5%
  • Population: 10,000,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 78°F
  • Winter Low: 60°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: S/450,000
  • 1BR Rent: S/1800/mo

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Cost of Living

Lima's cost of living index is 110 (Peru average = 100).

CategoryLimaNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing140100+40.0%

Data source: INEI / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceS/450,000
Median Rent (1BR)S/1800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)S/2,250/mo
Price per Sq FtS/300

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 Lima:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityS/80
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated 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/145Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: OSINERGMIN, Sedapal, Telefónica 2025

Remote Work Score

Lima scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
S/1800
Sunny Days
180
Tax
30%
Unemployment
7.5%
Climate
78°F / 60°F
Safety
5.7 homicides/100k
Population
10,000,000
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Lima has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January80°F60°F2.5"
April63°F75°F2.8"
July78°F53°F1.5"
October58°F78°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Lima faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Tsunami High Risk

Pacific coast vulnerable to tsunamis.

Landslide High Risk

Andean region with landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in coastal and Amazon regions.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Volcanic activity in the southern Andes region.

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 7.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Lima 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.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Lima 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 Lima, Peru?

The cost of living index in Lima is 110, which is Higher the Peru national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Lima is S/450,000. The housing index is 140.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lima is approximately S/1800/mo.

Does Lima, LI have income tax?

Lima is in LI, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Lima?

Lima enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 78°F, while winter lows can drop to around 60°F.

Relocation Guides

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.