Last update: Oct 2026 12.2M

Cost of Living in Bolivia

Name: Bolivia
Address: BO

Across Bolivia, living costs for one person average $524 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $11 a day.

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🇧🇴 Bolivia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bolivia

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bolivia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $524 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$524 /mo

A couple spends around $814 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$814 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,104 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$1,104 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.65 BOB 19.20

$1.08 BOB 12.49

$3.72 BOB 43.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.29 BOB 154

$6.64 BOB 77.0

$20.74 BOB 241

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.21 BOB 48.85

$3.72 BOB 43.17

$4.96 BOB 57.5

Cappuccino

$1.68 BOB 19.52

$1.02 BOB 11.80

$2.72 BOB 31.55

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

$0.58 BOB 6.72

$0.32 BOB 3.75

$0.96 BOB 11.13

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 BOB 5.61

$0.35 BOB 4.06

$0.86 BOB 10.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 BOB 13.92

$0.75 BOB 8.67

$2.08 BOB 24.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 BOB 23.59

$1.26 BOB 14.61

$2.98 BOB 34.52

Milk (1 liter)

$0.66 BOB 7.60

$0.40 BOB 4.70

$0.96 BOB 11.18

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 BOB 9.94

$0.40 BOB 4.69

$1.73 BOB 20.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.95 BOB 11.01

$0.51 BOB 5.92

$1.30 BOB 15.04

Eggs

$1.17 BOB 13.60

$0.61 BOB 7.10

$1.55 BOB 17.98

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.17 BOB 36.78

$1.29 BOB 15.02

$5.51 BOB 63.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.55 BOB 29.54

$1.29 BOB 14.95

$4.28 BOB 49.67

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.40 BOB 51.1

$2.48 BOB 28.77

$5.79 BOB 67.2

Apples (1kg)

$1.71 BOB 19.86

$0.86 BOB 9.93

$2.15 BOB 24.94

Banana (1kg)

$0.67 BOB 7.80

$0.40 BOB 4.68

$0.97 BOB 11.26

Oranges (1kg)

$0.66 BOB 7.68

$0.33 BOB 3.79

$1.46 BOB 16.92

Tomato (1kg)

$0.84 BOB 9.76

$0.53 BOB 6.15

$1.35 BOB 15.67

Potato (1kg)

$0.65 BOB 7.53

$0.24 BOB 2.77

$0.89 BOB 10.30

Onion (1kg)

$0.56 BOB 6.53

$0.33 BOB 3.83

$0.82 BOB 9.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 BOB 6.44

$0.30 BOB 3.52

$1.05 BOB 12.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 BOB 7.59

$0.49 BOB 5.69

$0.96 BOB 11.15

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 BOB 20.81

$1.29 BOB 14.93

$2.14 BOB 24.81

Wine (Bottle)

$3.83 BOB 44.39

$2.01 BOB 23.36

$6.46 BOB 74.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 BOB 13.47

$0.78 BOB 9.02

$1.83 BOB 21.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 BOB 18.92

$0.83 BOB 9.57

$2.90 BOB 33.62

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 BOB 2.77

$0.16 BOB 1.89

$0.29 BOB 3.33

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.46 BOB 237

$13.64 BOB 158

$30.32 BOB 352

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.29 BOB 14.95

$0.85 BOB 9.89

$2.14 BOB 24.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.81 BOB 9.41

$0.66 BOB 7.62

$1.23 BOB 14.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.60 BOB 76.5

$4.12 BOB 47.84

$8.25 BOB 95.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.54 BOB 6.23

$0.31 BOB 3.63

$0.58 BOB 6.69

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

$13.0K BOB 151.3K

$10.2K BOB 118.0K

$17.1K BOB 198.4K

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

$14.5K BOB 168.5K

$11.8K BOB 136.4K

$17.4K BOB 201.8K

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

$28.78 BOB 334

$14.34 BOB 166

$59.5 BOB 690

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

$16.92 BOB 196

$8.51 BOB 98.7

$21.26 BOB 247

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.53 BOB 238

$12.48 BOB 145

$33.29 BOB 386

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.20 BOB 223

$8.53 BOB 99.0

$25.60 BOB 297

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.02 BOB 116

$6.12 BOB 71.0

$12.92 BOB 150

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 BOB 47.58

$2.87 BOB 33.26

$6.80 BOB 78.9

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

$105 BOB 1,216

$60.0 BOB 696

$172 BOB 1,990

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,697 BOB 31.3K

$1,720 BOB 20.0K

$4,645 BOB 53.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.15 BOB 280

$11.70 BOB 136

$41.80 BOB 485

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.57 BOB 320

$12.78 BOB 148

$59.6 BOB 692

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.65 BOB 564

$29.42 BOB 341

$75.6 BOB 877

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.3 BOB 595

$25.13 BOB 292

$83.8 BOB 972

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$242 BOB 2,804

$129 BOB 1,491

$514 BOB 5,962

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$167 BOB 1,935

$94.3 BOB 1,094

$343 BOB 3,976

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$443 BOB 5,144

$250 BOB 2,900

$822 BOB 9,530

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$324 BOB 3,754

$170 BOB 1,975

$851 BOB 9,876

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,122 BOB 13.0K

$729 BOB 8,461

$1,632 BOB 18.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$611 BOB 7,083

$412 BOB 4,783

$936 BOB 10.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$281 BOB 3,263

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.81

6.5

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Bolivia $524

Accommodation & Living

$167 31.8%

Groceries & Markets

$108 20.7%

Clothing & Footwear

$68 13%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$66 12.6%

Eating Out

$60 11.5%

Sport & Entertainment

$27 5.2%

Getting Around

$27 5.1%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bolivia is $288 – below average monthly costs of $524. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $86.0 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $9.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($524) is 61% below the global median of $1,350.

Average rent ($184) is 72% below the global median of $652.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($9.00) is 81% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($5.00) is 85% below the global median of $34.00.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

20:34 8:34 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

12,244,159

💱 Currency

Bolivian Boliviano BOB Bs.

📈 Exchange rate

100 BOB = 8.62 USD

100 BOB = 7.66 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Bolivia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bermejo	27372						321.34	31.92
2	Caranavi	13569	30	$253	$611	$574	$1,163	105.34	42.66
3	Cochabamba	856198	22	$315	$448	$698	$955	91.38	78.77
4	El Alto	405492	14	$267	$291	$598	$621	263.21	66.89
5	La Paz	715900	24	$308	$497	$692	$1,012	64.71	78.75
6	San Ignacio de Velasco	31594		$109	$109	$247	$247	40.36	38.17
7	Santa Cruz	1800000	31	$358	$639	$839	$1,704	34.02	48.2
8	Sucre	238798	32	$358	$649	$812	$1,321	43.7	54
9	Tarija	108241	38	$235	$407	$508	$529	166.9	62.91
10	Trinidad	79963		$13.83	$13.83	$79.9	$79.9	182.12	56.31

Bolivia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Bolivia - Frequently Asked Questions

Bolivia offers strong value for money, especially when you balance housing, markets, and local services with a relaxed pace. In cities like La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, costs vary by neighborhood and altitude, with smaller towns often cheaper and easier to navigate. Cost of Living in Bolivia varies by city and lifestyle, with imported goods and certain services higher, but everyday life – street food, public transport, and local utilities – can feel very approachable. Seasonal tourist pockets may shift prices, so timing matters if you are nomadic or planning a longer stay. Tip: Start with a central, well-connected base to test value before committing long term.

Daily life in Bolivia for you as a traveler or remote worker centers on neighborhoods that balance access and calm. Look for furnished apartments in well-connected areas to minimize commutes and simplify errands. Food options range from vibrant markets to casual eateries and cafes; cooking at home with fresh produce keeps costs predictable. Public transport plus occasional taxis or rideshare apps covers most trips, and many cities offer affordable coworking spaces with reliable internet. Seasonal crowds can influence availability, so book longer stays during shoulder periods if possible. Tip: Build a weekly routine that uses nearby markets and transit lines to keep daily costs steady.

To refine your budget and maximize quality of life, adopt a simple budgeting framework that separates essentials from discretionary spend. Track housing, groceries, transport, and utilities, then allocate a cushion for emergencies. Consider altitude and climate when choosing neighborhoods; La Paz's valley areas feel cooler and more urban, Cochabamba offers a balanced pace, and Santa Cruz tends to spread widely with newer districts. The Bolivia living cost can be moderate for long stays if you prioritize local services, street food, and public transit over imported goods. Tip: set a recurring review every month to adjust your plan as markets shift and seasons change.

Bolivia is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.

Rent in Bolivia varies a lot – La Paz has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Bolivia, $1,000 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.