Peru · Visit or make it home

Arequipa

Arequipa is a city in Peru. Compare its dated local facts and monthly climate before choosing a time to visit or planning a move. Housing references and national earnings describe different populations; verify the costs of your own home and job before deciding.

Arequipa — Plaza de Armas, Arequipa 2006

Get to know Arequipa

A sense of the place

Arequipa is a city in southern Peru and the capital of Arequipa Province and the Department of Arequipa. With a projected population of 1,195,700 in 2025, it is the country's second most populous city after Lima. It is the official seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and is known as the "Legal Capital of Peru". Arequipa joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2020. Arequipa extends along both banks of the Chili River, in the Arequipa or Chili valley. The valley is bordered by the Andes to the north and east and by low coastal hills to the south and west. The city proper extends mainly over 14 districts, while the Arequipa metropolitan area includes 21 conurbated districts. The site of the city was founded on 15 August 1540, when it was named "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunta de Arequipa". On 25 September 1541, by a real cédula issued by Charles V, it became the "City of Arequipa".

Weather through the year

When to visit Arequipa

Temperature

November has the warmest monthly average (12.1°C); July is coolest (9.4°C). These averages include nights, so daytime highs can be considerably warmer.

Rain and outdoor plans

February averages about 47 mm of rain, compared with 0 mm in June. Rainfall alone does not identify a single best month; compare temperatures with the activities you plan.

Planning time outdoors

November combine monthly mean temperatures of 12–22°C with less than 100 mm of precipitation. These are useful dates to compare for a walking-focused visit; check daylight, opening times and the forecast for your actual trip.

Monthly climate averages — 2001-2020
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average °C11.611.511.611.410.19.79.410.211.111.812.111.8
Rain, mm3547256202137416

Source: NASA POWER climatology · Reference period: 2001-2020. Long-term averages for the surrounding grid area. Conditions vary within a city; monthly averages are neither a forecast nor a guarantee of dry days.

Places around Arequipa

Build your shortlist for a day out. Distances are straight-line from the city centre; check routes and opening times before setting off.

Average rent in Arequipa

What is the average rent in Arequipa?

A verified average rent for Arequipa is not available in the evidence shown here. Do not substitute another city’s price or a national estimate. Compare current properties for the same home size and neighbourhood, then include utilities, deposits and daily transport when building a budget for a visit or move.

Average salary in Arequipa

What is the average salary in Arequipa?

562.9 USD/month is the gross employee-pay reference dated 2025. It describes Peru, not average salary in Arequipa. Gross pay is before deductions; household earnings depend on the household model. Use a current offer and your own tax circumstances for take-home budgeting.

Source: ILO — Average gross monthly earnings of employees · Reference date: 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (ILO datasets published from 3 May 2023)

How should I compare Arequipa with another city?

Compare the same dated measures for both cities, keeping local observations separate from national context. Start with rent, your expected income and the journeys you will make regularly. Then adjust the comparison weights to your priorities. Missing measurements do not prove an advantage; verify decisive costs and services with current local sources.

  1. Choose a comparison below and read its sources and dates.
  2. Set priorities for housing, work, transport and climate.
  3. Check current listings and your own income before making a decision.

Data sources, licences & reuse terms

Plan your stay

Budget and everyday decisions

A holiday budget

Compare accommodation for your actual dates in Arequipa, then add the journey here, airport transfers, meals and the activities you want. A cheap room outside the centre can cost more overall if it adds daily transport.

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A relocation budget

Use the planner below to compare housing, daily spending and the cost of your move.

Include the deposit, utilities, internet and commuting. Compare those costs with your own expected take-home income.

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Your relocation planning budget

Build a monthly budget for Arequipa in euros. Totals are calculated from the amounts below, not live quotes. Enter a housing amount for your chosen home.

Monthly total: Enter all five monthly amounts

First month including move: Enter your moving costs too

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Compare the details

Arequipa at a glance

Peru: the wider context

These are country-level figures, not measurements of Arequipa. Use them to compare national conditions; neighbourhoods, salaries and individual services can differ substantially.

See 10 national indicators

Other places to compare in Peru

What to check before deciding

Comparable figures are not available here for: Seismic hazard (ordinal 0 very-low to 4 high); Distance to nearest sea / coastline; Distance to nearest mountains (>1500 m); Monthly rent, 1-bedroom, city centre; Annual sunshine hours; Public-transport provision (ordinal proxy). Check the items that affect your plans with local providers. They are not treated as zero or as an advantage in recommendations.

Compare Arequipa with other cities

Read the source dates, choose your priorities and keep unavailable values separate from costs you know.

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