Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Encarnacion and Santa Rita

For one person, living is cheaper in Encarnacion: $820 a month against $978 in Santa Rita, rent and utilities included – about $1,900 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Encarnacion
🇵🇾 Paraguay
$820
/mo nomad
Santa Rita
🇵🇾 Paraguay
$978
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Encarnacion and in Santa Rita

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Encarnacion and in Santa Rita actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $820 in Encarnacion versus $978 in Santa Rita.

  • Encarnacion $820
  • Santa Rita $978

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,264 in Encarnacion versus $1,468 in Santa Rita.

  • Encarnacion $1,264
  • Santa Rita $1,468

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,707 in Encarnacion versus $1,958 in Santa Rita.

  • Encarnacion $1,707
  • Santa Rita $1,958

Living in Encarnacion costs roughly 16% less than in Santa Rita, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Encarnacion 39% lower, Santa Rita 28% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.36 ₲24.8K
$3.57 ₲20.3K
22.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.92 ₲198.6K
$35.71 ₲203.1K
-2.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.82 ₲38.8K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.52 ₲14.3K
$3.61 ₲20.5K
-30.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49 ₲8,484
$0.86 ₲4,909
73.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₲2,815
$0.55 ₲3,145
-10.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.95 ₲5,414
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 ₲11.5K
$1.38 ₲7,872
46.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.10 ₲6,236
$1.13 ₲6,404
-2.65%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 ₲4,820
$1.91 ₲10.9K
-55.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.80 ₲10.2K
$1.25 ₲7,102
44.00%
Eggs
$1.60 ₲9,078
$2.91 ₲16.5K
-45.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.13 ₲29.2K
$8.09 ₲46.0K
-36.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.27 ₲18.6K
$4.30 ₲24.4K
-23.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.71 ₲32.5K
$11.56 ₲65.8K
-50.61%
Apples (1kg)
$2.12 ₲12.0K
$5.19 ₲29.5K
-59.15%
Banana (1kg)
$0.83 ₲4,722
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$0.87 ₲4,923
$3.58 ₲20.3K
-75.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₲9,447
$3.17 ₲18.0K
-47.63%
Potato (1kg)
$0.90 ₲5,111
$3.60 ₲20.5K
-75.00%
Onion (1kg)
$0.87 ₲4,962
$2.71 ₲15.4K
-67.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.60 ₲3,383
$0.92 ₲5,217
-34.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ₲2,883
$1.37 ₲7,786
-62.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.47 ₲8,369
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$5.47 ₲31.1K
$5.14 ₲29.2K
6.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 ₲4,796
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 ₲8,574
$2.87 ₲16.3K
-47.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.46 ₲2,621
$1.45 ₲8,241
-68.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$35.28 ₲200.6K
$42.91 ₲244.0K
-17.78%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.32 ₲7,492
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 ₲4,059
$4.33 ₲24.6K
-83.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.68 ₲38.0K
$3.82 ₲21.7K
74.87%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 ₲7,023
$1.43 ₲8,119
-13.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.1K ₲80.4M
$9,866 ₲56.1M
43.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K ₲146.9M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$44.50 ₲253.0K
$108 ₲614.4K
-58.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.38 ₲76.1K
$24.98 ₲142.0K
-46.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.58 ₲105.6K
$39.66 ₲225.5K
-53.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.14 ₲171.4K
$43.41 ₲246.8K
-30.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.04 ₲74.1K
$26.74 ₲152.1K
-51.23%
Cinema Ticket
$6.01 ₲34.2K
$8.60 ₲48.9K
-30.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$199 ₲1.1M
$77.6 ₲441.4K
156.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,289 ₲18.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.4 ₲321.0K
$52.6 ₲299.0K
7.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.75 ₲157.8K
$88.4 ₲502.4K
-68.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.4 ₲383.1K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.8 ₲385.6K
$71.4 ₲405.9K
-5.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$505 ₲2.9M
$350 ₲2.0M
44.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$318 ₲1.8M
$263 ₲1.5M
21.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$676 ₲3.8M
$445 ₲2.5M
51.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$517 ₲2.9M
$349 ₲2.0M
48.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,544 ₲8.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,389 ₲7.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Encarnacion
Santa Rita
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$375 ₲2.1M
$530 ₲3.0M
-29.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.5
0
-

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

Last update for Encarnacion: October 20, 2026

Last update for Santa Rita: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Encarnacion
$318
Santa Rita
–
Groceries & Markets
Encarnacion
$140
Santa Rita
–
Eating Out
Encarnacion
$102
Santa Rita
–
Clothing & Footwear
Encarnacion
$99
Santa Rita
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Encarnacion
$76
Santa Rita
–
Sport & Entertainment
Encarnacion
$42
Santa Rita
–
Getting Around
Encarnacion
$42
Santa Rita
–

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $505 in Encarnacion and $350 in Santa Rita. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Santa Rita pays 41% 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: $35.00 in Encarnacion vs $36.00 in Santa Rita for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $140 vs $236 per month, with Encarnacion cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇾 Encarnacion
🇵🇾 Santa Rita
🕒 Local time
11:24 11:24 AM
11:24 11:24 AM
Same time as Encarnacion
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,600
35,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Converter

Paraguayan Guarani exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 5,686 PYG (10,000 PYG = 1.76 USD). 1 EUR = 6,393 PYG (10,000 PYG = 1.56 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Encarnacion Santa Rita 190 km
From you
  • Encarnacion
  • Santa Rita

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Encarnacion vs Santa Rita: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Encarnacion and in Santa Rita?
Encarnacion and Santa Rita differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($820 vs $978 including rent). Encarnacion is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 41% lower in Santa Rita. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Encarnacion and in Santa Rita?
Rent for a central apartment: $505 in Encarnacion versus $350 in Santa Rita. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Encarnacion or Santa Rita?
All in, you'll spend $820 per month in Encarnacion versus $978 in Santa Rita – a 19% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Encarnacion and in Santa Rita?
A monthly transit pass in Encarnacion runs roughly 22% less than in Santa Rita. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Encarnacion compared to Santa Rita?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Encarnacion gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Encarnacion and Santa Rita?
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.
Is Encarnacion or Santa Rita safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Encarnacion and Santa Rita are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Encarnacion or Santa Rita?
Expats usually find Encarnacion gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Santa Rita. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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