Cost of Living Comparison Between La Ceiba and El Progreso Cost of Living Comparison Between La Ceiba and El Progreso

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $686 in La Ceiba versus $567 in El Progreso.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,054 in La Ceiba versus $893 in El Progreso.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,423 in La Ceiba versus $1,219 in El Progreso.

Living in La Ceiba is roughly 21% more expensive than El Progreso, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: La Ceiba 49% lower, El Progreso 58% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.07 HNL 108

$5.72 HNL 153

-28.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.14 HNL 803

$24.78 HNL 661

21.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.85 HNL 183

$7.88 HNL 210

-13.07%

Cappuccino

$1.47 HNL 39.24

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.01 HNL 26.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 HNL 27.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.99 HNL 26.39

$1.16 HNL 31.05

-14.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 HNL 78.4

$1.99 HNL 53.0

47.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 HNL 36.99

$1.29 HNL 34.35

7.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.59 HNL 42.27

$2.08 HNL 55.5

-23.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 HNL 36.94

$1.22 HNL 32.63

13.93%

Eggs

$1.60 HNL 42.70

$2.04 HNL 54.4

-21.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.92 HNL 184

$4.45 HNL 119

55.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.76 HNL 154

$3.89 HNL 104

48.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.32 HNL 248

$7.84 HNL 209

18.88%

Apples (1kg)

$4.09 HNL 109

$2.97 HNL 79.3

37.71%

Banana (1kg)

$0.48 HNL 12.78

$1.44 HNL 38.34

-66.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.45 HNL 38.66

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 HNL 34.21

$1.52 HNL 40.51

-15.79%

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 HNL 34.34

$1.60 HNL 42.66

-19.38%

Onion (1kg)

$1.96 HNL 52.3

$1.35 HNL 35.88

45.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 HNL 20.13

$0.89 HNL 23.69

-14.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 HNL 17.46

$1.67 HNL 44.45

-60.48%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 HNL 67.0

$2.47 HNL 65.9

1.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.26 HNL 380

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 HNL 29.33

$1.33 HNL 35.58

-17.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 HNL 42.82

$1.80 HNL 48.01

-10.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 HNL 14.71

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$57.3 HNL 1,528

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.08 HNL 28.88

$4.35 HNL 116

-75.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.44 HNL 38.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.78 HNL 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 HNL 29.60

$1.08 HNL 28.79

2.78%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.5K HNL 520.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$19.5K HNL 518.8K

$19.4K HNL 518.0K

0.17%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$130 HNL 3,466

$80.7 HNL 2,150

61.19%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.39 HNL 304

$9.07 HNL 242

25.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.53 HNL 1,320

$41.37 HNL 1,103

19.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.78 HNL 874

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.75 HNL 606

Cinema Ticket

$3.56 HNL 94.9

$5.73 HNL 153

-37.87%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$181 HNL 4,820

$245 HNL 6,538

-26.27%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,885 HNL 103.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.53 HNL 467

$45.56 HNL 1,214

-61.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.46 HNL 306

$35.67 HNL 951

-67.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$34.85 HNL 929

$111 HNL 2,952

-68.54%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.66 HNL 1,324

$103 HNL 2,750

-51.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$135 HNL 3,595

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$83.2 HNL 2,217

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$204 HNL 5,441

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$128 HNL 3,407

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,133 HNL 30.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$744 HNL 19.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$563 HNL 15.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

-4.17%

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

Last update for La Ceiba: June 7, 2026

Last update for El Progreso: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $30.00 in La Ceiba vs $25.00 in El Progreso for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $181 per month, with El Progreso 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

La Ceiba vs El Progreso: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

El Progreso is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,029 in La Ceiba and $850 in El Progreso 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 13% higher in La Ceiba. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $686 per month in La Ceiba versus $567 in El Progreso – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though El Progreso gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find El Progreso gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in La Ceiba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.