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: $725 in La Ceiba versus $144 in El Progreso.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,122 in La Ceiba versus $289 in El Progreso.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,518 in La Ceiba versus $434 in El Progreso.

Living in La Ceiba is roughly 404% more expensive than in El Progreso, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: La Ceiba 47% lower, El Progreso 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.06 HNL 109

$4.85 HNL 130

-16.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.85 HNL 801

$25.23 HNL 678

18.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.96 HNL 187

$8.15 HNL 219

-14.60%

Cappuccino

$1.47 HNL 39.42

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

$0.82 HNL 21.92

$0.81 HNL 21.75

1.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 HNL 26.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.98 HNL 26.20

$1.52 HNL 40.85

-35.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 HNL 82.7

$1.96 HNL 52.6

57.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 HNL 36.45

$1.34 HNL 35.88

1.49%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 HNL 43.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.86 HNL 49.86

$1.14 HNL 30.67

63.16%

Eggs

$1.64 HNL 44.07

$1.62 HNL 43.40

1.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.62 HNL 178

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.38 HNL 171

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.23 HNL 275

Apples (1kg)

$5.25 HNL 141

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 HNL 38.64

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 HNL 31.52

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 HNL 44.01

Onion (1kg)

$1.86 HNL 49.83

$1.65 HNL 44.20

12.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.75 HNL 20.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 HNL 16.70

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.59 HNL 69.5

$2.67 HNL 71.6

-3.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.24 HNL 382

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 HNL 32.08

$1.30 HNL 34.78

-8.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 HNL 40.71

$1.41 HNL 37.79

7.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.57 HNL 15.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 HNL 1,486

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.09 HNL 29.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 HNL 51.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.78 HNL 102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 HNL 28.97

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

$18.8K HNL 505.5K

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

$152 HNL 4,072

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

$33.96 HNL 912

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.0 HNL 1,477

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.09 HNL 835

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.74 HNL 611

Cinema Ticket

$3.44 HNL 92.5

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

$265 HNL 7,120

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,449 HNL 119.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.97 HNL 456

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.97 HNL 295

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$33.07 HNL 888

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$48.62 HNL 1,306

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$92.3 HNL 2,479

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$56.3 HNL 1,513

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$147 HNL 3,944

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$132 HNL 3,536

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,118 HNL 30.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$754 HNL 20.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$556 HNL 14.9K

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

Last update for La Ceiba: September 6, 2026

Last update for El Progreso: September 5, 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 $215 vs $46.00 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, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 404% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,088 in La Ceiba and $216 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 371% higher in La Ceiba. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in El Progreso – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $30.00 in La Ceiba. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

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 404% less than in La Ceiba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.