🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $844 in Daule versus $949 in Vilcabamba.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,439 in Daule versus $1,433 in Vilcabamba.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,035 in Daule versus $1,917 in Vilcabamba.
🌍Living in Daule costs roughly 11% less than in Vilcabamba, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Daule38% lower, Vilcabamba31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.49$5.49
$3.49$3.49
57.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.3$53.3
$29.81$29.81
78.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83$7.83
$7.83$7.83
-
Cappuccino
$3.48$3.48
$2.19$2.19
58.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38$1.38
$1.02$1.02
35.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10$1.10
$1.04$1.04
5.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.53$3.53
$2.04$2.04
73.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.52$5.52
$3.47$3.47
59.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11$1.11
$1.04$1.04
6.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55$1.55
$1.60$1.60
-3.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58$1.58
$1.57$1.57
0.64%
Eggs
$2.16$2.16
$2.49$2.49
-13.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.45$6.45
$8.47$8.47
-23.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.77$5.77
$5.14$5.14
12.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.49$7.49
$7.31$7.31
2.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31$2.31
$1.71$1.71
35.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.19$1.19
$1.07$1.07
11.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.27$1.27
$1.15$1.15
10.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09$1.09
$1.15$1.15
-5.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19$1.19
$0.93$0.93
27.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03$1.03
$1.08$1.08
-4.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86$0.86
$0.71$0.71
21.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03$1.03
$0.99$0.99
4.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84$5.84
$5.11$5.11
14.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.87$9.87
$10.92$10.92
-9.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57$1.57
$1.63$1.63
-3.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05$3.05
$2.69$2.69
13.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38$0.38
$0.35$0.35
8.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.94$19.94
$16.23$16.23
22.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.54$1.54
$1.34$1.34
14.93%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.53$1.53
$1.11$1.11
37.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.03$10.03
$10.05$10.05
-0.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86$0.86
$0.70$0.70
22.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6K$20.6K
$21.3K$21.3K
-3.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K$28.4K
$28.4K$28.4K
-0.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.95$28.95
$37.48$37.48
-22.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.54$17.54
$13.36$13.36
31.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.51$28.51
$35.80$35.80
-20.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.79$28.79
$30.59$30.59
-5.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.20$14.20
$17.40$17.40
-18.39%
Cinema Ticket
$6.75$6.75
$7.39$7.39
-8.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$216$216
$205$205
5.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,878$8,878
$6,463$6,463
37.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.4$64.4
$54.5$54.5
18.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.23$49.23
$42.64$42.64
15.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117$117
$96.7$96.7
21.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107$107
$71.1$71.1
51.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$256$256
$386$386
-33.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$159$159
$388$388
-58.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$720$720
$616$616
16.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$423$423
$565$565
-25.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,131$1,131
$1,180$1,180
-4.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$808$808
$764$764
5.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Daule
Vilcabamba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$454$454
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.12
10.05
0.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Daule: September 13, 2026
Last update for Vilcabamba: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $256 in Daule and $386 in Vilcabamba. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Daule vs $30.00 in Vilcabamba. Groceries flip the comparison at $196 vs $196, with Daule cheaper for home cooking.
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
Daule vs Vilcabamba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vilcabamba cheaper than Daule?
Daule is cheaper overall, especially in Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 12% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,266 in Daule and $1,423 in Vilcabamba 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.
What is the rent difference between Daule and Vilcabamba?
Rent for a central apartment: $256 in Daule versus $386 in Vilcabamba. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Daule or in Vilcabamba?
Dining out is cheaper in Daule – a meal for two runs $53.0 versus $30.00 in Vilcabamba. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Daule and in Vilcabamba?
All in, you'll spend $844 per month in Daule versus $949 in Vilcabamba – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Daule or in Vilcabamba?
At $844 in Daule versus $949 in Vilcabamba, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Daule but tight or insufficient in Vilcabamba. The gap between the two cities makes Daule the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Daule or in Vilcabamba?
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 safer, Daule or Vilcabamba?
Safety-wise, Daule and Vilcabamba are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Daule gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Vilcabamba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.