🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $819 in Aguilares versus $1,647 in San Salvador.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,303 in Aguilares versus $2,459 in San Salvador.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,787 in Aguilares versus $3,272 in San Salvador.
🌍Living in Aguilares costs roughly 50% less than in San Salvador, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Aguilares is 41% below, San Salvador is 19% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.96$6.96
$6.93$6.93
0.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.99$43.99
$43.17$43.17
1.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.13$7.13
$6.86$6.86
3.94%
Cappuccino
$3.67$3.67
$3.61$3.61
1.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11$1.11
$1.15$1.15
-3.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81$0.81
$0.84$0.84
-3.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.98$1.98
$2.05$2.05
-3.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57$3.57
$3.52$3.52
1.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85$1.85
$1.79$1.79
3.35%
White Bread(500g)
$2.79$2.79
$2.82$2.82
-1.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.44$1.44
$1.39$1.39
3.60%
Eggs
$3.11$3.11
$3.11$3.11
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.63$7.63
$7.64$7.64
-0.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76$6.76
$6.80$6.80
-0.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.32$10.32
$10.06$10.06
2.58%
Apples(1kg)
$5.12$5.12
$5.17$5.17
-0.97%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52$1.52
$1.48$1.48
2.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.94$2.94
$2.87$2.87
2.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.55$3.55
$3.55$3.55
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.92$2.92
$2.90$2.90
0.69%
Onion(1kg)
$3.34$3.34
$3.35$3.35
-0.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02$1.02
$0.96$0.96
6.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97$0.97
$0.93$0.93
4.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.95$3.95
$3.99$3.99
-1.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.89$11.89
$11.92$11.92
-0.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.16$2.16
$2.27$2.27
-4.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93$2.93
$2.85$2.85
2.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.33$0.33
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$37.84$37.84
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.97$5.97
$5.92$5.92
0.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.92$2.92
$2.98$2.98
-2.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.34$20.34
$19.69$19.69
3.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16$1.16
$1.17$1.17
-0.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.2K$25.2K
$25.4K$25.4K
-0.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K$27.7K
$27.1K$27.1K
2.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132$132
$131$131
0.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.29$21.29
$21.19$21.19
0.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.21$42.21
$42.39$42.39
-0.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$32.01$32.01
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$21.78$21.78
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.95$4.95
$4.86$4.86
1.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$164$164
$162$162
1.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,645$4,645
$4,682$4,682
-0.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.9$67.9
$67.0$67.0
1.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.69$46.69
$46.89$46.89
-0.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118$118
$118$118
-0.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117$117
$117$117
0.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$905$905
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$775$775
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,782$1,782
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,375$1,375
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,731$2,731
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,853$1,853
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aguilares
San Salvador
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$382$382
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.5
8.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aguilares: September 8, 2026
Last update for San Salvador: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $44.00 in Aguilares vs $43.00 in San Salvador for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 vs $287 per month, with San Salvador 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 – living expenses run 101% 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 and in San Salvador?
You'd need roughly $1,229 in Aguilares and $2,471 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 do childcare costs compare in Aguilares and in San Salvador?
Childcare runs $164 in Aguilares versus $162 in San Salvador. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Aguilares and in San Salvador?
Dining out is cheaper in Aguilares – a meal for two runs $44.00 versus $43.00 in San Salvador. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Aguilares or in San Salvador?
At $819 in Aguilares versus $1,647 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 – 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 – expenses run 101% less than in San Salvador. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.