Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Quito and Aspen, CO

For one person, living is cheaper in Quito: $1,014 a month against $5,225 in Aspen, CO, rent and utilities included – about $50,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Quito, Ecuador
Aspen, CO, United States
Quito
🇪🇨 Ecuador
$1,014
/mo nomad
Aspen, CO
🇺🇸 United States
$5,225
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Quito and in Aspen, CO

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Quito and in Aspen, CO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,014 per month in Quito vs $5,225 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

  • Quito $1,014
  • Aspen, CO $5,225

A couple spends around $1,641 per month in Quito vs $7,574 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

  • Quito $1,641
  • Aspen, CO $7,574

A family of three spends $2,269 per month in Quito vs $9,923 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

  • Quito $2,269
  • Aspen, CO $9,923

Quito is about 81% cheaper than Aspen, CO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Quito sits 25% below the global median, while Aspen, CO is 286% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.55 $5.55
$19.89 $19.89
-72.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.6 $54.6
$79.2 $79.2
-31.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.63 $7.63
$11.15 $11.15
-31.57%
Cappuccino
$3.33 $3.33
$5.58 $5.58
-40.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 $1.36
$3.69 $3.69
-63.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14 $1.14
$2.83 $2.83
-59.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.69 $3.69
$6.83 $6.83
-45.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.16 $6.16
$7.82 $7.82
-21.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 $1.15
$1.18 $1.18
-2.54%
White Bread (500g)
$1.61 $1.61
$5.40 $5.40
-70.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.51 $1.51
$6.55 $6.55
-76.95%
Eggs
$2.15 $2.15
$5.51 $5.51
-60.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.47 $6.47
$11.66 $11.66
-44.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.33 $5.33
$11.20 $11.20
-52.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.77 $7.77
$17.52 $17.52
-55.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.23 $2.23
$5.82 $5.82
-61.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.24 $1.24
$1.44 $1.44
-13.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.27 $1.27
$6.05 $6.05
-79.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.08 $1.08
$6.30 $6.30
-82.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 $1.24
$4.00 $4.00
-69.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 $1.06
$3.82 $3.82
-72.25%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 $0.91
$3.36 $3.36
-72.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.76 $2.76
-64.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.95 $5.95
$10.14 $10.14
-41.32%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.35 $8.35
$17.02 $17.02
-50.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.89 $1.89
-19.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 $3.20
$5.06 $5.06
-36.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 $0.33
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.42 $21.42
$88.2 $88.2
-75.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.49 $2.49
-38.55%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.53 $1.53
$1.38 $1.38
10.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.01 $10.01
$24.25 $24.25
-58.72%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$0.98 $0.98
-13.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7K $22.7K
$28.1K $28.1K
-19.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6K $29.6K
$26.5K $26.5K
11.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$28.99 $28.99
$148 $148
-80.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.94 $17.94
$71.0 $71.0
-74.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.85 $28.85
$73.6 $73.6
-60.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 $45.09
$136 $136
-66.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.78 $17.78
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.75 $6.75
$18.73 $18.73
-63.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$743 $743
$1,897 $1,897
-60.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,223 $8,223
$33.0K $33.0K
-75.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.8 $69.8
$70.0 $70.0
-0.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.3 $50.3
$49.26 $49.26
2.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 $113
$90.4 $90.4
24.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 $107
$143 $143
-25.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$542 $542
$4,080 $4,080
-86.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$354 $354
$3,696 $3,696
-90.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,141 $1,141
$7,935 $7,935
-85.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$638 $638
$6,522 $6,522
-90.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,636 $1,636
$10.6K $10.6K
-84.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$663 $663
$7,503 $7,503
-91.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Quito
Aspen, CO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$603 $603
$5,032 $5,032
-88.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.12
6.67
51.72%

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

Last update for Quito: November 2, 2026

Last update for Aspen, CO: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Quito
$354
Aspen, CO
$3.7K 943% $3.3K
Groceries & Markets
Quito
$193
Aspen, CO
$471 144% $278
Clothing & Footwear
Quito
$153
Aspen, CO
$159 3.7% $5.7
Eating Out
Quito
$148
Aspen, CO
$335 126% $187
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Quito
$76
Aspen, CO
$293 287% $217
Sport & Entertainment
Quito
$59
Aspen, CO
$174 197% $115
Getting Around
Quito
$32
Aspen, CO
$98 * 205% $66

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $542 in Quito versus $4,080 in Aspen, CO. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Aspen, CO are about 8.3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $55 in Quito versus $79 in Aspen, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $471 – making Quito the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇪🇨 Quito
🇺🇸 Aspen, CO
🕒 Local time
04:06 4:06 AM
02:06 2:06 AM
2 h behind Quito
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,671,191 Capital
7,000
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Quito Aspen, CO 5,240 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Quito
  • Aspen, CO

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Quito vs Aspen, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Quito or Aspen, CO?
Aspen, CO costs about 415% more than Quito, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Quito and in Aspen, CO?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,521 per month in Quito and $7,838 in Aspen, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Quito or Aspen, CO?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Quito, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $542 there versus $4,080 in Aspen, CO.
Are groceries more expensive in Quito or in Aspen, CO?
Groceries cost about 144% more in Aspen, CO, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Quito and in Aspen, CO?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $55 in Quito and $79 in Aspen, CO. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Quito or in Aspen, CO?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Quito, where all-in costs run around $1,014, than in Aspen, CO at $5,225. In Quito it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aspen, CO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Quito – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Quito or to Aspen, CO?
If budget matters most, go with Quito. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aspen, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Quito vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?