Cost of Living Comparison Between Managua and San Rafael del Sur Cost of Living Comparison Between Managua and San Rafael del Sur

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.78 NIO 175

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.66 NIO 1,306

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.18 NIO 263

Cappuccino

$2.33 NIO 85.4

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

$0.85 NIO 30.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 NIO 25.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.27 NIO 46.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 NIO 71.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 NIO 46.29

White Bread (500g)

$2.34 NIO 85.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.86 NIO 68.1

Eggs

$2.24 NIO 82.0

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.22 NIO 411

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.81 NIO 249

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.88 NIO 289

Apples (1kg)

$3.99 NIO 146

Banana (1kg)

$0.83 NIO 30.45

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 NIO 67.3

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 79.7

Potato (1kg)

$3.82 NIO 140

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 79.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 NIO 39.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 NIO 36.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.62 NIO 96.1

Wine (Bottle)

$14.59 NIO 534

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.41 NIO 51.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 NIO 81.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.13 NIO 4.74

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.04 NIO 221

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.52 NIO 55.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.54 NIO 19.75

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.86 NIO 251

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 NIO 49.85

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

$23.4K NIO 856.7K

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

$26.1K NIO 955.8K

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

$97.7 NIO 3,577

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

$17.22 NIO 631

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.67 NIO 1,380

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.30 NIO 1,329

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 NIO 541

Cinema Ticket

$8.21 NIO 301

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

$124 NIO 4,540

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 NIO 219.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.2 NIO 2,829

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.6 NIO 2,697

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$132 NIO 4,830

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,902

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 NIO 9,315

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 NIO 7,041

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 NIO 15.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$449 NIO 16.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,186 NIO 43.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$657 NIO 24.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$354 NIO 13.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

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

Last update for Managua: June 9, 2026

Last update for San Rafael del Sur: June 7, 2026

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

Managua vs San Rafael del Sur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward San Rafael del Sur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with San Rafael del Sur. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Managua makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.