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

$9.83 NIO 360

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.30 NIO 1,293

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.46 NIO 273

Cappuccino

$2.57 NIO 94.0

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

$0.91 NIO 33.42

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 NIO 27.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 NIO 54.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 NIO 80.0

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 NIO 46.01

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 NIO 89.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 NIO 69.2

Eggs

$2.32 NIO 84.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.46 NIO 420

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.16 NIO 226

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.81 NIO 286

Apples (1kg)

$3.90 NIO 143

Banana (1kg)

$0.58 NIO 21.38

Oranges (1kg)

$1.76 NIO 64.4

Tomato (1kg)

$2.42 NIO 88.5

Potato (1kg)

$3.85 NIO 141

Onion (1kg)

$2.19 NIO 80.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 NIO 40.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 NIO 37.22

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.80 NIO 102

Wine (Bottle)

$14.39 NIO 527

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 NIO 52.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 NIO 80.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.12 NIO 4.42

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.88 NIO 216

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 NIO 60.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.64 NIO 60.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.64 NIO 243

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 NIO 50.5

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

$22.9K NIO 838.8K

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

$25.9K NIO 947.8K

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

$152 NIO 5,561

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

$19.55 NIO 716

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.50 NIO 1,190

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.76 NIO 1,273

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.13 NIO 554

Cinema Ticket

$9.11 NIO 333

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

$231 NIO 8,466

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,110 NIO 223.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.0 NIO 2,161

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.8 NIO 2,373

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$121 NIO 4,415

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 NIO 5,406

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$252 NIO 9,231

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$182 NIO 6,656

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$451 NIO 16.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$381 NIO 14.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,199 NIO 43.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$686 NIO 25.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$417 NIO 15.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.92

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

Last update for Managua: October 3, 2026

Last update for San Rafael del Sur: October 3, 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.