๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $661 in Aguilares versus $1,496 in San Salvador.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,033 in Aguilares versus $2,211 in San Salvador.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,404 in Aguilares versus $2,925 in San Salvador.
๐Living in Aguilares costs roughly 56% less than in San Salvador, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Aguilares is 51% below, San Salvador is 12% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.47$2.47
$8.01$8.01
-69.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.95$11.95
$35.37$35.37
-66.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.90$6.90
$6.91$6.91
-0.14%
Cappuccino
$3.18$3.18
$3.24$3.24
-1.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87$0.87
$1.10$1.10
-20.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52$0.52
$0.87$0.87
-40.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.48$1.48
$1.96$1.96
-24.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53$2.53
$2.94$2.94
-13.95%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85$1.85
$1.80$1.80
2.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.95$1.95
$1.99$1.99
-2.01%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.53$1.53
$1.48$1.48
3.38%
Eggs
$1.76$1.76
$2.88$2.88
-38.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.95$6.95
$7.02$7.02
-1.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.52$4.52
$6.51$6.51
-30.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.95$10.95
$10.73$10.73
2.05%
Apples(1kg)
$3.21$3.21
$3.26$3.26
-1.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66$1.66
$1.73$1.73
-4.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.14$2.14
$2.63$2.63
-18.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.66$2.66
$2.65$2.65
0.38%
Potato(1kg)
$2.22$2.22
$2.25$2.25
-1.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11$2.11
$2.20$2.20
-4.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01$1.01
$0.95$0.95
6.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03$1.03
$1.02$1.02
0.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.92$3.92
$3.95$3.95
-0.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.83$10.83
$10.95$10.95
-1.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47$1.47
$1.71$1.71
-14.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42$2.42
$2.49$2.49
-2.81%
๐ Getting Around
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51$0.51
$0.37$0.37
37.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$64.0$64.0
$24.51$24.51
160.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.63$5.63
$5.63$5.63
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.00$3.00
$3.01$3.01
-0.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.62$19.62
$19.90$19.90
-1.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01$1.01
$1.00$1.00
1.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K$18.0K
$26.0K$26.0K
-30.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9K$19.9K
$28.0K$28.0K
-28.71%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.97$27.97
$104$104
-73.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.48$19.48
$18.89$18.89
3.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.63$35.63
$42.11$42.11
-15.39%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.02$20.02
$31.65$31.65
-36.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.23$20.23
$20.34$20.34
-0.54%
Cinema Ticket
$3.44$3.44
$5.29$5.29
-34.97%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$148$148
$147$147
0.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,980$5,980
$5,975$5,975
0.08%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.39$25.39
$68.0$68.0
-62.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.46$27.46
$43.13$43.13
-36.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115$115
$118$118
-2.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103$103
$104$104
-0.93%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.4$75.4
$844$844
-91.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$709$709
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,464$1,464
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,110$1,110
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,830$2,830
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,835$1,835
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$376$376
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.58
8.58
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aguilares: April 22, 2026
Last update for San Salvador: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75 in Aguilares and $844 in San Salvador. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $12 in Aguilares vs $35 in San Salvador for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $237 vs $254 per month, with Aguilares cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Aguilares vs San Salvador: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Aguilares or San Salvador?
Aguilares wins on cost โ living expenses run 126% lower than in San Salvador. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Aguilares the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Aguilares vs San Salvador?
You'd need roughly $991 in Aguilares and $2,244 in San Salvador to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Aguilares vs San Salvador?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.4 in Aguilares versus $844 in San Salvador. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Aguilares compared to San Salvador?
All in, you'll spend $661 per month in Aguilares versus $1,496 in San Salvador โ a 126% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Aguilares vs San Salvador?
A monthly transit pass in Aguilares runs roughly 161% less than in San Salvador. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Aguilares or San Salvador?
At $661 in Aguilares versus $1,496 in San Salvador, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Aguilares but tight or insufficient in San Salvador. The gap between the two cities makes Aguilares the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Aguilares or San Salvador?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Aguilares gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 126% less than in San Salvador. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.