Cost of Living in Chinandega - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Chinandega
Address: Chinandega, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $614 (excluding rent), and $701 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,405 (excluding rent), and $1,537 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.78 NIO 175

$3.21 NIO 118

$9.73 NIO 356

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.28 NIO 1,292

$25.2 NIO 923

$80.7 NIO 2,954

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.12 NIO 261

$5.55 NIO 203

$8.14 NIO 298

Cappuccino

$2.34 NIO 85.7

$1.07 NIO 39.28

$3.98 NIO 146

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

$0.8 NIO 29.13

$0.47 NIO 17.05

$1.32 NIO 48.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 NIO 27.46

$0.49 NIO 17.93

$1.04 NIO 38.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.34 NIO 49.21

$1.12 NIO 40.94

$1.71 NIO 62.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 NIO 71.3

$1.85 NIO 67.7

$3.02 NIO 111

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 NIO 44.16

$0.88 NIO 32.05

$1.37 NIO 50.2

White Bread (500g)

$2.35 NIO 86.1

$1.89 NIO 69.3

$2.39 NIO 87.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 NIO 69.1

$1.39 NIO 51.1

$1.95 NIO 71.3

Eggs

$2.32 NIO 84.8

$1.68 NIO 61.5

$2.52 NIO 92.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.02 NIO 404

$4.71 NIO 173

$13.42 NIO 491

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.78 NIO 248

$3.01 NIO 110

$6.78 NIO 248

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.78 NIO 285

$6.98 NIO 255

$10.54 NIO 386

Apples (1kg)

$4.01 NIO 147

$3.48 NIO 127

$5.15 NIO 188

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 NIO 32.61

$0.61 NIO 22.49

$2.26 NIO 82.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.85 NIO 67.6

$1.54 NIO 56.4

$5.57 NIO 204

Tomato (1kg)

$2.27 NIO 83

$2 NIO 73.3

$3.1 NIO 114

Potato (1kg)

$3.97 NIO 145

$3.02 NIO 111

$4.07 NIO 149

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 NIO 82.8

$2.14 NIO 78.3

$2.73 NIO 100

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 NIO 39.2

$0.73 NIO 26.76

$1.71 NIO 62.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 NIO 38.48

$0.8 NIO 29.14

$1.53 NIO 56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.65 NIO 96.9

$2.46 NIO 90

$2.72 NIO 99.5

Wine (Bottle)

$14.63 NIO 536

$9.7 NIO 355

$14.63 NIO 536

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.44 NIO 52.8

$1.09 NIO 39.88

$1.7 NIO 62.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 NIO 79.1

$1.68 NIO 61.6

$2.27 NIO 83

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.48 NIO 54.1

$1.34 NIO 49.08

$1.61 NIO 58.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.65 NIO 243

$5.34 NIO 195

$9.77 NIO 358

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 NIO 48.01

$1.29 NIO 47.29

$1.32 NIO 48.37

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

$22.8K NIO 834.9K

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

$26.9K NIO 984.8K

$27.2K NIO 997.7K

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

$100 NIO 3,670

$91.5 NIO 3,349

$110 NIO 4,040

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

$17.27 NIO 632

$15.23 NIO 558

$20.3 NIO 744

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.32 NIO 1,293

$30.27 NIO 1,109

$60.5 NIO 2,217

Cinema Ticket

$7.95 NIO 291

$6.11 NIO 224

$11.93 NIO 437

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

$123 NIO 4,515

$66.2 NIO 2,424

$258 NIO 9,454

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,897 NIO 216K

$4,128 NIO 151.2K

$8,845 NIO 323.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.4 NIO 2,798

$54.1 NIO 1,980

$88.8 NIO 3,253

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$71.1 NIO 2,603

$39.05 NIO 1,430

$118 NIO 4,308

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$134 NIO 4,926

$81.1 NIO 2,971

$152 NIO 5,570

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 NIO 4,009

$55.7 NIO 2,039

$152 NIO 5,560

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

11.75

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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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.