What are the schools like in Peru, IN?

Peru is served primarily by Peru Community Schools. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1.

What is the median household income in Peru?

The median household income in Peru, IN is $44,665 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.4%.

What is the weather like in Peru, IN?

Peru has an average high temperature of 33.8°F in January and 84.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 20.9 inches.

Peru, IN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Peru, IN affordable or expensive?

Peru's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Peru is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $78,500 and the median rent is $764 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Peru, IN?

Crime rate data for Peru is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Peru, IN a Good Place to Live?

Peru is a small city of 10,862 in Indiana, with a median household income of $44,665 and a 6.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Peru stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Peru is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Peru city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.5

Peru's overall cost of living index is 89.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Peru costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Peru, IN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$78,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$764	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	70.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,665	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Peru is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Peru is served primarily by Peru Community Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Peru, IN	National Avg
School District	Peru Community Schools	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	16.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	14.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Peru sees average highs of 33.8°F in January and 84.8°F in July, with 41.1 inches of annual precipitation and 20.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Peru, IN
Average High — January	33.8°F
Average High — July	84.8°F
Annual Precipitation	41.1"
Annual Snowfall	20.9"

Demographics

Metric	Peru, IN	National Avg
Population	10,862	—
Median Age	41.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	4.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.4%	18.9%
Asian	0.2%	6.3%
Under 18	22.4%	22.2%
65 and over	17.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mexico, IN 4 mi Bunker Hill, IN 7 mi Denver, IN 7 mi Chili, IN 8 mi Onward, IN 8 mi

ZIP Codes in Peru

Peru, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

46970

Peru vs Other Cities

Peru, IN vs Mexico, IN Peru, IN vs Bunker Hill, IN Peru, IN vs Denver, IN Peru, IN vs Chili, IN Peru, IN vs Onward, IN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peru, IN affordable or expensive?

Peru's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Peru roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $78,500 and median rent is $764/month.

What is the crime rate in Peru, IN?

Crime data for Peru is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Peru?

Public schools in Peru are operated by Peru Community Schools. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1. 14.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Peru, IN a good place to live?

Peru, IN has a population of 10,862, a median household income of $44,665, and an unemployment rate of 6.4%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Peru?

Peru averages 33.8°F in January and 84.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.1 inches with about 20.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Peru?

Peru, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 46970.

What is the population of Peru?

The population of Peru, Indiana is 10,862 with a median age of 41.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Peru?

Key numbers for living in Peru: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $78,500, median household income $44,665, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Peru side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.