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

$5.03 NIO 185

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.78 NIO 1,278

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.82 NIO 251

Cappuccino

$2.47 NIO 90.6

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

$0.78 NIO 28.65

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 NIO 27.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.27 NIO 46.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 NIO 72.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 NIO 45.16

White Bread (500g)

$2.38 NIO 87.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.79 NIO 65.9

Eggs

$2.28 NIO 83.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.25 NIO 414

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.57 NIO 241

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.14 NIO 299

Apples (1kg)

$3.80 NIO 140

Banana (1kg)

$0.84 NIO 31.05

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 NIO 67.1

Tomato (1kg)

$2.28 NIO 83.7

Potato (1kg)

$3.82 NIO 141

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 NIO 83.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 NIO 38.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 NIO 36.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.70 NIO 99.4

Wine (Bottle)

$14.55 NIO 535

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 NIO 52.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 NIO 80.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.12 NIO 4.50

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.93 NIO 218

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.48 NIO 54.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.55 NIO 20.10

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.70 NIO 246

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 NIO 50.2

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

$23.2K NIO 852.6K

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

$26.2K NIO 964.0K

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

$96.8 NIO 3,558

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

$16.79 NIO 617

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.50 NIO 1,378

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.43 NIO 1,302

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.91 NIO 548

Cinema Ticket

$8.03 NIO 295

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

$124 NIO 4,543

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,969 NIO 219.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.9 NIO 2,828

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.6 NIO 2,705

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$135 NIO 4,948

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,939

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 NIO 9,341

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 NIO 6,926

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$435 NIO 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$449 NIO 16.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,233 NIO 45.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$643 NIO 23.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$359 NIO 13.2K

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: April 28, 2026

Last update for San Rafael del Sur: April 28, 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.