Cost of Living Comparison Between El Salvador and China Cost of Living Comparison Between El Salvador and China

😐 Solo nomad: El Salvador is 42.8% more expensive than China without rent, and 77.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: El Salvador is 36.7% more expensive than China without rent, and 45.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
El Salvador
China
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.45 $7.45
$2.82 Β₯19.48
164.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.50 $30.50
$23.62 Β₯163
29.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.87 $6.87
$4.97 Β₯34.30
38.23%
Cappuccino
$3.31 $3.31
$3.14 Β₯21.63
5.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 $1.15
$0.44 Β₯3.06
161.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 $0.89
$0.27 Β₯1.84
229.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 $1.96
$0.93 Β₯6.39
110.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 $3.07
$2.08 Β₯14.35
47.60%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
El Salvador
China
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.84 Β₯12.68
-0.54%
White Bread (500g)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.62 Β₯11.15
20.99%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 $1.62
$0.96 Β₯6.61
68.75%
Eggs
$2.67 $2.67
$1.56 Β₯10.74
71.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.46 $7.46
$13.18 Β₯90.9
-43.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.90 $5.90
$3.21 Β₯22.11
83.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.54 $9.54
$10.89 Β₯75.2
-12.40%
Apples (1kg)
$3.32 $3.32
$1.77 Β₯12.18
87.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.84 $1.84
$1.25 Β₯8.62
47.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.52 Β₯10.51
64.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.66 $2.66
$1.15 Β₯7.94
131.30%
Potato (1kg)
$2.32 $2.32
$0.76 Β₯5.27
205.26%
Onion (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$0.89 Β₯6.13
143.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.96 $0.96
$0.61 Β₯4.24
57.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.54 Β₯3.71
109.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.93 $3.93
$3.38 Β₯23.29
16.27%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.83 $10.83
$11.67 Β₯80.5
-7.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 $1.61
$0.78 Β₯5.38
106.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 $2.39
$1.67 Β₯11.52
43.11%
🚌 Getting Around
El Salvador
China
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 $0.36
$0.43 Β₯2.97
-16.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.21 $29.21
$20.93 Β₯144
39.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.37 $6.37
$1.41 Β₯9.72
351.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.92 $2.92
$0.35 Β₯2.44
734.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.15 $20.15
$6.48 Β₯44.71
210.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.16 Β₯8.03
-11.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$19.3K Β₯132.9K
28.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K $26.5K
$17.0K Β₯117.2K
56.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
El Salvador
China
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$90.6 $90.6
$51.3 Β₯354
76.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.85 $19.85
$9.84 Β₯67.9
101.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.97 $41.97
$11.49 Β₯79.3
265.27%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
El Salvador
China
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.08 $30.08
$40.28 Β₯278
-25.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.42 $19.42
$14.78 Β₯102
31.39%
Cinema Ticket
$5.10 $5.10
$6.41 Β₯44.24
-20.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
El Salvador
China
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$144 $144
$403 Β₯2,783
-64.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,311 $4,311
$17.9K Β₯123.3K
-75.87%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
El Salvador
China
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0 $57.0
$45.91 Β₯317
24.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.43 $40.43
$32.39 Β₯223
24.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 $112
$71.2 Β₯492
56.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.4 $95.4
$74.0 Β₯510
28.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
El Salvador
China
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$697 $697
$436 Β₯3,008
59.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$634 $634
$254 Β₯1,750
149.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,097 $1,097
$900 Β₯6,210
21.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$867 $867
$548 Β₯3,781
58.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,708 $2,708
$5,140 Β₯35.5K
-47.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,555 $1,555
$2,676 Β₯18.5K
-41.87%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
El Salvador
China
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$433 $433
$1,024 Β₯7,068
-57.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.05
4.06
122.91%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for El Salvador: March 2, 2026

Last update for China: March 3, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated January 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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