🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $655 in Aguilares versus $787 in Santa Ana.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,040 in Aguilares versus $1,254 in Santa Ana.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,426 in Aguilares versus $1,721 in Santa Ana.
🌍Living in Aguilares costs roughly 17% less than in Santa Ana, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Aguilares51% lower, Santa Ana41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.43$2.43
$2.54$2.54
-4.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.97$11.97
$17.73$17.73
-32.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.80$6.80
$5.07$5.07
34.12%
Cappuccino
$3.26$3.26
$2.03$2.03
60.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89$0.89
$0.73$0.73
21.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51$0.51
$0.62$0.62
-17.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.46$1.46
$2.06$2.06
-29.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56$2.56
$2.63$2.63
-2.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79$1.79
$1.81$1.81
-1.10%
White Bread(500g)
$2.07$2.07
$1.97$1.97
5.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.49$1.49
$1.48$1.48
0.68%
Eggs
$1.82$1.82
$2.85$2.85
-36.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.13$7.13
$6.95$6.95
2.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.37$4.37
$6.89$6.89
-36.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.95$10.95
$10.86$10.86
0.83%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09$3.09
$3.09$3.09
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.65$1.65
$1.73$1.73
-4.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.22$2.22
$2.63$2.63
-15.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.70$2.70
$2.76$2.76
-2.17%
Potato(1kg)
$2.21$2.21
$2.24$2.24
-1.34%
Onion(1kg)
$2.20$2.20
$2.21$2.21
-0.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96$0.96
$1.01$1.01
-4.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08$1.08
$1.07$1.07
0.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.11$4.11
$4.09$4.09
0.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.93$11.93
$11.89$11.89
0.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52$1.52
$1.71$1.71
-11.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52$2.52
$2.45$2.45
2.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51$0.51
$0.31$0.31
64.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$65.5$65.5
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.61$5.61
$5.43$5.43
3.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.12$3.12
$3.07$3.07
1.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.06$20.06
$19.66$19.66
2.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01$1.01
$0.95$0.95
6.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7K$17.7K
$23.3K$23.3K
-24.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9K$19.9K
$28.2K$28.2K
-29.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.52$28.52
$40.38$40.38
-29.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.26$19.26
$19.11$19.11
0.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.69$34.69
$38.83$38.83
-10.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.19$20.19
$34.57$34.57
-41.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.19$20.19
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.48$3.48
$5.06$5.06
-31.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$143$143
$148$148
-3.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,922$5,922
$6,033$6,033
-1.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.03$25.03
$65.9$65.9
-61.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.18$28.18
$43.77$43.77
-35.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116$116
$117$117
-0.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107$107
$104$104
3.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.9$75.9
$306$306
-75.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$149$149
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$499$499
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$299$299
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aguilares
Santa Ana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$455$455
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.58
8.58
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aguilares: July 14, 2026
Last update for Santa Ana: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.9 in Aguilares and $306 in Santa Ana. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Aguilares vs $18.00 in Santa Ana for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $240 vs $258 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 Santa Ana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Aguilares or Santa Ana?
Aguilares wins on cost – living expenses run 20% lower than in Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana?
You'd need roughly $983 in Aguilares and $1,180 in Santa Ana 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 compared to Santa Ana?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.9 in Aguilares versus $306 in Santa Ana. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Aguilares and in Santa Ana?
Childcare runs $143 in Aguilares versus $148 in Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana?
Dining out is cheaper in Aguilares – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $18.00 in Santa Ana. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Aguilares or in Santa Ana?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Aguilares gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Aguilares or Santa Ana?
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 20% less than in Santa Ana. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.