Cajamarca vs Cerro de Pasco: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Cerro de Pasco costs roughly 14% less than Cajamarca. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Cajamarca is approximately 12% less expensive than Cerro de Pasco based on cost of living including rent. This makes Cajamarca a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Cajamarca has a FIRE Score of 70/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 40, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Cajamarca is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Cajamarca
Cajamarca is a cheap place to live, with one-bedroom rents outside the center at just $116 per month and a budget tier total of $335 per month. But the city is poor for healthcare and safety, with a safety index of 40 and a crime index of 60, and English proficiency is limited. The high elevation of 2,750 meters and slow internet of 10 Mbps make it a hard sell for digital nomads despite the low cost of living.
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa requires $1,000/mo income to qualify. That math works for retirees on fixed Social Security checks. But the Safety Index sits at 32.9 so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
$2,545/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Cerro de Pasco
Cerro de Pasco is one of the cheapest places on earth, with a cost of living index of 32/100 and a budget tier of $351/mo, but you pay for it with your lungs and your patience. At 4330 m, the air is thin, the air quality index sits at 68, and the safety index of 40/100 means you keep your wits about you. The expat community is nonexistent, English proficiency is limited, and the retiree and digital nomad scores of 46/100 tell you this is not a soft landing. Come for the rock-bottom rent and the $3 restaurant meal, stay only if you have a local salary of $465/mo or a remote income and a taste for cold, rainy isolation.
About Peru
A 1BR in central Lima runs $521.77/mo, less than a parking spot in Manhattan, and the Rentista Visa requires $1,000/mo income to qualify. That math works for retirees on fixed Social Security checks. But the Safety Index sits at 32.9 so the savings come with real security tradeoffs. Worth it only if you vet neighborhoods hard and skip the flash.
$2,546/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Cajamarca | Cerro de Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $196.13 | $220 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $116.23 | $160 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $523.01 | $406.5 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $319.62 | $300 |
| Safety Index | 40 | 40 |
| Internet Speed | 10Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Cajamarca | Cerro de Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $502/mo | $494/mo |
| Excluding rent | $386/mo | $334/mo |
| Rent | $116/mo | $160/mo |
| Groceries | $181/mo | $150/mo |
| Dining out | $32.00/mo | $29.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $76.00/mo | $39.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $88.00/mo | $116/mo |
| Transport | $9.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Cajamarca vs Cerro de Pasco -- Frequently Asked Questions
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