Last update: Nov 2026 12.2M

Cost of Living in Bolivia

Name: Bolivia
Address: BO

Across Bolivia, living costs for one person average $551 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 $551 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$551 /mo

A couple spends around $855 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$855 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,159 per month with rent on average in Bolivia.

$1,159 /mo

Across 10 cities in Bolivia, monthly living costs range from $13 to $676 – a $663 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.80 BOB 21.64

$1.17 BOB 14.03

$3.96 BOB 47.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.96 BOB 168

$7.24 BOB 86.9

$22.62 BOB 271

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.73 BOB 56.8

$4.17 BOB 50.0

$5.57 BOB 66.8

Cappuccino

$1.83 BOB 21.96

$1.11 BOB 13.37

$2.78 BOB 33.37

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

$0.64 BOB 7.63

$0.35 BOB 4.23

$0.98 BOB 11.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 BOB 5.70

$0.35 BOB 4.19

$0.88 BOB 10.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.23 BOB 14.71

$0.80 BOB 9.65

$2.23 BOB 26.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 BOB 23.44

$1.33 BOB 15.94

$3.11 BOB 37.28

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 BOB 9.16

$0.51 BOB 6.11

$1.11 BOB 13.32

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 BOB 10.46

$0.44 BOB 5.23

$1.67 BOB 19.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.00 BOB 11.94

$0.49 BOB 5.91

$1.61 BOB 19.28

Eggs

$1.23 BOB 14.71

$0.61 BOB 7.30

$1.65 BOB 19.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.27 BOB 39.24

$1.32 BOB 15.83

$5.64 BOB 67.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.66 BOB 31.93

$1.33 BOB 15.96

$4.44 BOB 53.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.73 BOB 56.7

$2.64 BOB 31.74

$6.17 BOB 74.1

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 BOB 21.77

$0.92 BOB 11.01

$2.29 BOB 27.46

Banana (1kg)

$0.74 BOB 8.86

$0.46 BOB 5.54

$1.12 BOB 13.41

Oranges (1kg)

$0.75 BOB 8.97

$0.37 BOB 4.42

$1.67 BOB 20.02

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 BOB 10.97

$0.56 BOB 6.73

$1.45 BOB 17.45

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 BOB 8.17

$0.26 BOB 3.11

$0.96 BOB 11.50

Onion (1kg)

$0.60 BOB 7.22

$0.34 BOB 4.13

$0.87 BOB 10.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 BOB 7.42

$0.38 BOB 4.53

$1.05 BOB 12.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 BOB 8.43

$0.53 BOB 6.32

$0.98 BOB 11.71

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.95 BOB 23.37

$1.32 BOB 15.89

$2.21 BOB 26.52

Wine (Bottle)

$4.09 BOB 49.09

$2.01 BOB 24.06

$6.92 BOB 83.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 BOB 14.40

$0.80 BOB 9.60

$1.90 BOB 22.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 BOB 21.48

$0.89 BOB 10.62

$3.09 BOB 37.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.28 BOB 3.39

$0.19 BOB 2.26

$0.33 BOB 4.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.63 BOB 212

$16.16 BOB 194

$24.25 BOB 291

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.33 BOB 15.95

$0.89 BOB 10.67

$2.22 BOB 26.62

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.95 BOB 11.41

$0.76 BOB 9.15

$1.42 BOB 17.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.42 BOB 89.0

$4.64 BOB 55.7

$9.28 BOB 111

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.65 BOB 7.80

$0.36 BOB 4.28

$0.66 BOB 7.93

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

$13.9K BOB 167.0K

$10.9K BOB 130.3K

$18.2K BOB 219.0K

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

$16.1K BOB 193.6K

$13.1K BOB 156.8K

$19.3K BOB 231.8K

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

$30.66 BOB 368

$14.24 BOB 171

$63.5 BOB 762

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

$17.69 BOB 212

$8.93 BOB 107

$22.31 BOB 268

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.06 BOB 265

$13.49 BOB 162

$35.97 BOB 432

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.78 BOB 237

$8.94 BOB 107

$26.80 BOB 322

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.48 BOB 126

$5.98 BOB 71.8

$13.58 BOB 163

Cinema Ticket

$4.62 BOB 55.5

$3.24 BOB 38.84

$7.13 BOB 85.5

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

$110 BOB 1,318

$62.9 BOB 755

$180 BOB 2,157

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,905 BOB 58.9K

$2,154 BOB 25.8K

$10.7K BOB 128.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.01 BOB 312

$12.79 BOB 153

$45.66 BOB 548

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.83 BOB 346

$13.37 BOB 160

$62.4 BOB 748

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$51.8 BOB 622

$31.54 BOB 378

$81.1 BOB 973

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.1 BOB 661

$27.32 BOB 328

$91.1 BOB 1,093

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$247 BOB 2,968

$134 BOB 1,612

$537 BOB 6,448

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 BOB 2,079

$99.2 BOB 1,190

$361 BOB 4,328

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 BOB 5,695

$272 BOB 3,261

$830 BOB 9,964

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$334 BOB 4,012

$179 BOB 2,145

$894 BOB 10.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,115 BOB 13.4K

$761 BOB 9,130

$1,582 BOB 19.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$640 BOB 7,677

$417 BOB 5,000

$1,017 BOB 12.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$294 BOB 3,529

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: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Bolivia $551

Accommodation & Living

$173 31.5%

Groceries & Markets

$115 21%

Clothing & Footwear

$73 13.2%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$70 12.8%

Eating Out

$65 11.8%

Sport & Entertainment

$29 5.3%

Getting Around

$25 4.5%

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Bolivia is $302 – below average monthly costs of $551. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $113 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $12.

Most affordable: Trinidad at $13 per month. The capital, La Paz, sits at $534. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $663 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($551) is 59% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($316) is 52% below the global median of $664.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($12) is 74% below the global median of $47.

Public transport ($16) is 52% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

22:21 10:21 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

12,244,159

💱 Currency

Bolivian Boliviano BOB Bs.

📈 Exchange rate

100 BOB = 8.33 USD

100 BOB = 7.45 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	29	$252	$615	$570	$1,163	105.34	42.66
3	Cochabamba	856198	24	$354	$497	$782	$1,060	91.38	78.77
4	El Alto	405492	15	$289	$314	$647	$672	263.21	66.89
5	La Paz	715900	26	$329	$534	$739	$1,092	64.71	78.75
6	San Ignacio de Velasco	31594		$111	$111	$252	$252	40.36	38.17
7	Santa Cruz	1800000	32	$382	$676	$899	$1,793	34.02	48.2
8	Sucre	238798	32	$366	$669	$832	$1,354	43.7	54
9	Tarija	108241		$247	$430	$537	$560	166.9	62.91
10	Trinidad	79963		$13.23	$13.23	$78.7	$78.7	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.

In 2026, monthly costs in Bolivia range from $13 in the most affordable city to $676 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across Bolivia vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $13 in affordable regions to $676 in major cities.

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.