🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $951 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $1,628 in Ilopango.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,389 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $1,859 in Ilopango.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,828 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $2,090 in Ilopango.
🙂Living in Ayutuxtepeque costs roughly 42% less than in Ilopango, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ayutuxtepeque is 29% below, Ilopango is 21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.83$7.83
$3.14$3.14
149.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.61$29.61
$45.76$45.76
-35.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.03$5.03
$5.11$5.11
-1.57%
Cappuccino
$3.17$3.17
$2.89$2.89
9.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66$0.66
$0.92$0.92
-28.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48$0.48
$0.93$0.93
-48.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.32$1.32
$0.96$0.96
37.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08$3.08
$1.73$1.73
78.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.39$1.39
$3.27$3.27
-57.49%
White Bread(500g)
$1.48$1.48
$1.46$1.46
1.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98$0.98
$2.97$2.97
-67.00%
Eggs
$2.39$2.39
$2.94$2.94
-18.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.07$7.07
$4.87$4.87
45.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.50$5.50
$6.18$6.18
-11.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.99$8.99
$9.81$9.81
-8.36%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26$3.26
$3.04$3.04
7.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70$1.70
$1.97$1.97
-13.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.17$2.17
$1.98$1.98
9.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.71$2.71
$1.98$1.98
36.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.63$1.63
$2.04$2.04
-20.10%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19$2.19
$1.97$1.97
11.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63$0.63
$0.97$0.97
-35.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03$1.03
$0.98$0.98
5.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08$4.08
$3.91$3.91
4.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.04$6.04
$11.85$11.85
-49.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51$1.51
$0.98$0.98
54.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53$2.53
$1.97$1.97
28.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34$0.34
$0.56$0.56
-39.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$35.43$35.43
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.65$5.65
$6.86$6.86
-17.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.07$3.07
$2.25$2.25
36.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.35$20.35
$4.87$4.87
317.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$0.67$0.67
55.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9K$25.9K
$20.1K$20.1K
28.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.8K$27.8K
$25.4K$25.4K
9.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$93.1$93.1
$35.57$35.57
161.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.45$19.45
$10.10$10.10
92.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.96$34.96
$40.39$40.39
-13.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.76$14.76
$40.10$40.10
-63.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.04$10.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.34$5.34
$4.90$4.90
8.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$146$146
$106$106
38.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,000$3,000
$1,950$1,950
53.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.65$24.65
$20.30$20.30
21.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.34$30.34
$30.27$30.27
0.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117$117
$73.7$73.7
59.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.9$74.9
$58.9$58.9
27.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$148$148
$663$663
-77.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$299$299
$1,010$1,010
-70.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$408$408
$593$593
-31.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$394$394
$621$621
-36.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,698$1,698
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$963$963
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ayutuxtepeque
Ilopango
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$425$425
$999$999
-57.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.58
6
43.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ayutuxtepeque: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ilopango: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $148 in Ayutuxtepeque and $663 in Ilopango. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ilopango pays 135% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $30.00 in Ayutuxtepeque vs $46.00 in Ilopango for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $249 per month, with Ayutuxtepeque 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
Ayutuxtepeque vs Ilopango: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ayutuxtepeque or Ilopango?
Ayutuxtepeque wins on cost – living expenses run 71% lower than in Ilopango. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ayutuxtepeque the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ayutuxtepeque or Ilopango?
On paper, Ilopango earns 135% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ayutuxtepeque vs Ilopango?
Rent for a central apartment: $148 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $663 in Ilopango. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Ayutuxtepeque and Ilopango?
Childcare runs $146 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $106 in Ilopango. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Ayutuxtepeque vs Ilopango?
Dining out is cheaper in Ayutuxtepeque – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $46.00 in Ilopango. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ayutuxtepeque or Ilopango?
At $951 in Ayutuxtepeque versus $1,628 in Ilopango, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ayutuxtepeque but tight or insufficient in Ilopango. The gap between the two cities makes Ayutuxtepeque the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ayutuxtepeque or Ilopango?
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 Ayutuxtepeque gentler on the wallet – expenses run 71% less than in Ilopango. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ayutuxtepeque vs other spots: cost of living compared