Cost of Living in Ambato - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ambato
Address: Ambato, EC

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $411 (excluding rent), and $646 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,077 (excluding rent), and $1,297 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.96 $2.96

$2.47 $2.47

$9.88 $9.88

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.63 $24.63

$19.7 $19.7

$39.41 $39.41

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.28 $5.28

$4.53 $4.53

$10.06 $10.06

Cappuccino

$2.5 $2.5

$1.52 $1.52

$3.55 $3.55

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 $0.77

$0.48 $0.48

$2.4 $2.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 $0.69

$0.52 $0.52

$1.55 $1.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.26 $1.26

$4.04 $4.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$2.45 $2.45

$6.12 $6.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.81 $0.81

$2.03 $2.03

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 $1.02

$3.05 $3.05

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$0.69 $0.69

$2.94 $2.94

Eggs

$1.94 $1.94

$1.22 $1.22

$2.91 $2.91

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.02 $3.02

$12.06 $12.06

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.54 $2.54

$8.76 $8.76

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$3.4 $3.4

$11.67 $11.67

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 $0.98

$4.32 $4.32

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.73 $0.73

$1.46 $1.46

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.51 $0.51

$3.04 $3.04

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.49 $0.49

$1.46 $1.46

Potato (1kg)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.49 $0.49

$2.93 $2.93

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.51 $0.51

$2.03 $2.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.5 $0.5

$0.26 $0.26

$1.04 $1.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.59 $0.59

$1.95 $1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.9 $5.9

$4.11 $4.11

$6.78 $6.78

Wine (Bottle)

$7.72 $7.72

$12.34 $12.34

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.99 $0.99

$2.46 $2.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$1.79 $1.79

$4.1 $4.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 $0.29

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.63 $0.63

$0.55 $0.55

$1.46 $1.46

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.73 $0.73

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.45 $9.45

$3.98 $3.98

$14.93 $14.93

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.66 $0.66

$0.64 $0.64

$0.8 $0.8

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30K $30K

$20K $20K

$30K $30K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$24.7K $24.7K

$28.3K $28.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$39.27 $39.27

$29.61 $29.61

$64.5 $64.5

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.62 $13.62

$9.93 $9.93

$22.83 $22.83

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.34 $30.34

$23.65 $23.65

$46.31 $46.31

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.38 $30.38

Cinema Ticket

$6.21 $6.21

$4.47 $4.47

$9.93 $9.93

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$251 $251

$191 $191

$321 $321

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,434 $2,434

$7,809 $7,809

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.7 $49.7

$24.85 $24.85

$84.5 $84.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.86 $36.86

$24.58 $24.58

$59 $59

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.4 $88.4

$70.7 $70.7

$141 $141

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.3 $60.3

$30.17 $30.17

$85.5 $85.5

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$343 $343

$251 $251

$602 $602

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$184 $184

$149 $149

$219 $219

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$636 $636

$458 $458

$814 $814

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$250 $250

$200 $200

$300 $300

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,248 $1,248

$352 $352

$1,248 $1,248

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,012 $1,012

$553 $553

$1,012 $1,012

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$695 $695

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 25, 2025

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Cost of Living in Ambato - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Ambato, Ecuador is generally approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value steady access to essentials without the cost of larger cities. The city offers a practical mix of markets, casual dining, and services that scale with your usage, making housing, utilities, and everyday goods manageable. Even in central zones, you can balance comfort with savings by choosing compact apartments or longer stays in neighborhoods away from peak tourist clusters. Transportation is straightforward, and daily errands stay convenient without long commutes. Tip: start with a short visit in a couple of neighborhoods to gauge value and fit.

Daily life in Ambato blends market-fresh options with easy logistics. Housing search centers in the core districts and growing residential areas above the city offer a range from compact apartments to family homes; look for amenities like secure entry and reliable water and electricity. For daily needs, you will find affordable produce at open-air markets and balanced dining from casual eateries to modern cafes; transit leans on buses, taxis, and ride-hailing, with walkable centers. Co-working spaces and cafes make a productive rhythm possible if you are freelancing. When errands pile up, plan routes to cluster shops by neighborhood to save time. Ambato, Ecuador living cost supports a comfortable routine for steady work and exploration. Tip: map your routes and build a weekly shopping loop.

Quality of life is easy to tune with a simple budgeting framework and neighborhood scouting. Use a practical approach like a 50/30/20-style balance: housing, groceries, transport, and leisure each receive a share, with room for savings. In Ambato, you will notice value is higher in markets and local eateries than in more touristy zones, so plan to shop by neighborhood and cook at home when possible. For neighborhood fit, spend time in a few districts to feel safety, green space, and access to steps or bus routes. Seasonality affects outdoor plans; longer days in dry months invite parks and markets, while wetter periods favor covered spaces and cafes. Tip: tailor your plan to your work style and pace.