😐A single person spends $2,319 per month in Canada vs $886 in El Salvador, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,378 per month in Canada vs $1,272 in El Salvador, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,437 per month in Canada vs $1,657 in El Salvador, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Canada is about 162% higher than in El Salvador on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Canada sits 74% above the global median, while El Salvador is 34% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.63CA$26.11
$7.35$7.35
153.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0CA$104
$29.63$29.63
149.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.92CA$15.31
$6.80$6.80
60.59%
Cappuccino
$3.76CA$5.28
$3.28$3.28
14.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19CA$3.07
$1.11$1.11
97.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74CA$2.43
$0.83$0.83
109.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.93CA$8.31
$2.05$2.05
189.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.95CA$8.35
$3.07$3.07
93.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.28CA$3.20
$1.83$1.83
24.59%
White Bread(500g)
$2.67CA$3.74
$1.99$1.99
34.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.78CA$5.30
$1.57$1.57
140.76%
Eggs
$3.50CA$4.90
$2.65$2.65
32.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.70CA$16.40
$7.55$7.55
54.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.30CA$17.24
$5.68$5.68
116.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.44CA$21.65
$9.97$9.97
54.86%
Apples(1kg)
$4.28CA$6.00
$3.30$3.30
29.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45CA$2.04
$1.91$1.91
-24.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.01CA$5.62
$2.56$2.56
56.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.27CA$5.98
$2.73$2.73
56.41%
Potato(1kg)
$2.69CA$3.77
$2.39$2.39
12.55%
Onion(1kg)
$2.65CA$3.71
$2.21$2.21
19.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.64CA$3.70
$1.04$1.04
153.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.89CA$2.65
$1.12$1.12
68.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.77CA$20.71
$4.09$4.09
261.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.32CA$18.67
$11.83$11.83
12.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.96CA$4.15
$1.66$1.66
78.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28CA$4.59
$2.50$2.50
31.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.62CA$3.67
$0.34$0.34
670.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$78.1CA$110
$29.29$29.29
166.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.42CA$4.79
$6.40$6.40
-46.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.50CA$2.10
$2.92$2.92
-48.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.07CA$40.76
$20.15$20.15
44.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.20CA$1.68
$1.02$1.02
17.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5KCA$35.7K
$24.8K$24.8K
2.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6KCA$28.8K
$26.5K$26.5K
-22.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$152CA$212
$89.9$89.9
68.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.70CA$65.5
$19.82$19.82
135.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.8CA$86.7
$40.79$40.79
51.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.36CA$60.8
$31.25$31.25
38.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.05CA$25.31
$19.31$19.31
-6.53%
Cinema Ticket
$11.51CA$16.13
$4.93$4.93
133.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$806CA$1,130
$142$142
467.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.1KCA$17.0K
$4,246$4,246
186.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4CA$77.6
$58.0$58.0
-4.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.80CA$58.6
$40.62$40.62
2.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7CA$126
$110$110
-18.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106CA$149
$96.0$96.0
10.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,329CA$1,864
$679$679
95.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,207CA$1,692
$631$631
91.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,112CA$2,961
$1,081$1,081
95.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,833CA$2,570
$847$847
116.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,639CA$6,503
$2,666$2,666
73.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,849CA$5,396
$1,570$1,570
145.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
El Salvador
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,948CA$4,133
$445$445
562.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.33
9.05
-30.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Canada: July 14, 2026
Last update for El Salvador: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,281 in Canada vs $296 in El Salvador. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,481 in Ottawa and $834 in San Salvador.
💰Average salary: $2,904 in Canada vs $576 in El Salvador. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 333% higher in Canada.
⭐Dining out costs 152% more in Canada.
⭐Public transport is 713% more expensive in Canada.
⭐Salaries are 404% higher in Canada, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Canada.
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
Canada vs El Salvador: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than El Salvador?
El Salvador is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 155% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Canada, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Canada consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in El Salvador, contributing to the overall 155% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget in Canada or in El Salvador?
$3,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in El Salvador, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to El Salvador?
El Salvador is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.