Cost of Living in Chinandega - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Chinandega
Address: Chinandega, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $617 (excluding rent), and $696 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,472 (excluding rent), and $1,552 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.99 NIO 183

$3.36 NIO 123

$10.17 NIO 372

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.67 NIO 1,306

$25.48 NIO 933

$81.5 NIO 2,986

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.93 NIO 254

$5.4 NIO 198

$7.92 NIO 290

Cappuccino

$2.35 NIO 86.1

$1.08 NIO 39.48

$4 NIO 146

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

$0.86 NIO 31.31

$0.5 NIO 18.33

$1.42 NIO 51.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 NIO 27.23

$0.49 NIO 17.77

$1.03 NIO 37.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.29 NIO 47.25

$1.07 NIO 39.31

$1.64 NIO 60.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 NIO 71.9

$1.87 NIO 68.3

$3.04 NIO 112

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 NIO 45.89

$0.91 NIO 33.31

$1.42 NIO 52.2

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 NIO 89.2

$1.96 NIO 71.8

$2.48 NIO 90.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.87 NIO 68.6

$1.38 NIO 50.7

$1.93 NIO 70.9

Eggs

$2.24 NIO 81.9

$1.62 NIO 59.4

$2.43 NIO 89.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.37 NIO 416

$4.86 NIO 178

$13.85 NIO 507

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.52 NIO 239

$2.9 NIO 106

$6.52 NIO 239

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.87 NIO 288

$7.05 NIO 258

$10.66 NIO 390

Apples (1kg)

$3.82 NIO 140

$3.31 NIO 121

$4.9 NIO 179

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 NIO 33.24

$0.63 NIO 22.92

$2.31 NIO 84.4

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 NIO 67.5

$1.54 NIO 56.3

$5.56 NIO 204

Tomato (1kg)

$2.29 NIO 83.9

$2.02 NIO 74.1

$3.13 NIO 115

Potato (1kg)

$3.99 NIO 146

$3.04 NIO 111

$4.09 NIO 150

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 NIO 82.8

$2.14 NIO 78.3

$2.73 NIO 100

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 NIO 38.58

$0.72 NIO 26.34

$1.68 NIO 61.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1 NIO 36.68

$0.76 NIO 27.78

$1.46 NIO 53.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.64 NIO 96.7

$2.45 NIO 89.8

$2.71 NIO 99.3

Wine (Bottle)

$14.96 NIO 548

$9.91 NIO 363

$14.96 NIO 548

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 NIO 53.4

$1.1 NIO 40.33

$1.72 NIO 63.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 NIO 81.8

$1.74 NIO 63.8

$2.34 NIO 85.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 NIO 55.3

$1.37 NIO 50.2

$1.64 NIO 60.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.95 NIO 255

$5.58 NIO 204

$10.22 NIO 374

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 NIO 49.96

$1.34 NIO 49.21

$1.37 NIO 50.3

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

$23K NIO 841.7K

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

$26.6K NIO 973.4K

$26.9K NIO 986.2K

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

$99.2 NIO 3,634

$90.6 NIO 3,316

$109 NIO 4,000

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

$17.08 NIO 626

$15.07 NIO 552

$20.09 NIO 736

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.73 NIO 1,272

$29.77 NIO 1,090

$59.5 NIO 2,181

Cinema Ticket

$8.22 NIO 301

$6.32 NIO 232

$12.34 NIO 452

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

$123 NIO 4,499

$66 NIO 2,416

$257 NIO 9,421

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,888 NIO 215.6K

$4,121 NIO 150.9K

$8,831 NIO 323.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.7 NIO 2,844

$55 NIO 2,013

$90.3 NIO 3,306

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.2 NIO 2,681

$40.22 NIO 1,473

$121 NIO 4,438

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$134 NIO 4,902

$80.7 NIO 2,957

$151 NIO 5,544

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 NIO 3,974

$55.2 NIO 2,021

$150 NIO 5,512

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

11.75

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

City tags:

Cost of Living in Chinandega - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger cities in Nicaragua and Central America, Cost of Living in Chinandega, Nicaragua tends to be more affordable and predictable. You’ll find affordable street food, reliable farmers' markets for fresh produce, and modest rents outside the historic center. Utilities and internet are reasonable when you compare plans and shop around, though availability can vary by neighborhood. The value comes from a slower pace, walkable streets, and short trips to shops, which keeps transport costs reasonable. The goal is predictable costs and room to save for occasional treats. Tip: set a monthly food and errands budget and lean on local markets for the best value.

Daily life centers on a mix of market visits, casual cafes, and family-run eateries. Housing search tends to be practical: look for older apartment buildings near Plaza Central or calmer residential streets, with leases commonly in months up to a year; expect deposits and a mix of furnished options. Food options range from cheap street snacks to mid-range eateries; fresh fruit and vegetables come from local markets. Transport relies on buses, shared vans, or short taxi hops; cycling is feasible in flat areas. Co-working spaces are modest but adequate for occasional remote work. Chinandega, Nicaragua living cost remains a helpful yardstick when budgeting. Tip: try to negotiate longer leases for better monthly rates and use local networks to spot furnished options.

Quality of life here blends affordable pace with practical constraints. Build a simple budgeting framework: fix a housing allowance, a groceries/markets bucket, and a transport or incidental fund; keep a separate pot for occasional adventures. In neighborhoods, central zones offer walkability and access to services but can be pricier than peripheral streets; consider hillside areas for views and calmer vibes. Seasonal patterns affect groceries and heat, so plan meals around markets and durable staples. Internet reliability varies; invest in a portable router or a backup plan if you work remotely. Tip: use local friends or hosts to vet neighborhoods before committing to a lease.