😐A single person spends $669 per month in San Cristobal vs $658 in Maracay, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,052 per month in San Cristobal vs $1,133 in Maracay, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,436 per month in San Cristobal vs $1,607 in Maracay, rent included.
😐San Cristobal costs about 2% more than Maracay, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both San Cristobal and Maracay are more affordable than the global median – San Cristobal50% lower, Maracay51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.60VES 3,435
$12.07VES 9,013
-61.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.90VES 22.3K
$55.9VES 41.7K
-46.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.56VES 7,891
$7.09VES 5,297
48.94%
Cappuccino
$1.62VES 1,209
$1.31VES 980
23.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79VES 591
$1.26VES 943
-37.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59VES 443
$0.98VES 731
-39.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.22VES 908
$1.53VES 1,140
-20.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48VES 1,106
$2.06VES 1,536
-28.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32VES 988
$1.81VES 1,352
-27.07%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51VES 1,125
$2.71VES 2,023
-44.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95VES 710
$1.07VES 800
-11.21%
Eggs
$2.08VES 1,554
$2.23VES 1,663
-6.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.77VES 3,565
$6.66VES 4,975
-28.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.09VES 3,058
$5.56VES 4,152
-26.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.86VES 4,375
$7.41VES 5,536
-20.92%
Apples(1kg)
$9.89VES 7,384
$4.02VES 3,005
146.02%
Banana(1kg)
$0.38VES 286
$1.79VES 1,339
-78.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28VES 959
$2.17VES 1,624
-41.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.10VES 818
$2.01VES 1,498
-45.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.03VES 770
$2.67VES 1,994
-61.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.91VES 676
$2.08VES 1,554
-56.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51VES 384
$1.35VES 1,007
-62.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.71VES 1,277
$1.93VES 1,444
-11.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40VES 2,536
$2.48VES 1,849
37.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.18VES 7,605
$9.81VES 7,324
3.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81VES 602
$1.13VES 842
-28.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23VES 917
$1.77VES 1,325
-30.51%
🚌 Getting Around
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51VES 382
$0.29VES 214
75.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.79VES 18.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.41VES 1,797
$3.05VES 2,276
-20.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.12VES 2,327
$2.71VES 2,027
15.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.10VES 3,810
$10.06VES 7,514
-49.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.48VES 358
$0.49VES 364
-2.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0KVES 22.4M
$25.2KVES 18.9M
18.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4KVES 25.7M
$38.9KVES 29.1M
-11.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$22.68VES 16.9K
$10.03VES 7,489
126.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.84VES 4,361
$12.90VES 9,639
-54.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.46VES 30.2K
$40.52VES 30.3K
-0.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.27VES 11.4K
$53.3VES 39.8K
-71.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.03VES 15.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.92VES 5,165
$3.43VES 2,563
101.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$44.65VES 33.4K
$134VES 100.4K
-66.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,567VES 4.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.05VES 23.9K
$24.57VES 18.4K
30.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.08VES 15.0K
$29.66VES 22.2K
-32.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4VES 69.7K
$78.7VES 58.8K
18.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$62.1VES 46.4K
$102VES 76.1K
-39.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$172VES 128.3K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$120VES 89.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275VES 205.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$172VES 128.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$533VES 398.1K
$445VES 332.0K
19.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$397VES 296.9K
$204VES 152.3K
94.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Cristobal
Maracay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$203VES 151.8K
$205VES 153.1K
-0.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
21.33
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for San Cristobal: July 26, 2026
Last update for Maracay: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 1% higher in Maracay, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in San Cristobal versus $56.0 in Maracay. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $209 vs $248 – making San Cristobal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
San Cristobal vs Maracay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Cristobal or Maracay?
San Cristobal costs about 2% more than Maracay, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 San Cristobal and in Maracay?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,003 per month in San Cristobal and $987 in Maracay. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in San Cristobal compared to Maracay?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $669 in San Cristobal and $658 in Maracay. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in San Cristobal and in Maracay?
Kindergarten costs $44.65 per month in San Cristobal and $134 in Maracay. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in San Cristobal or in Maracay?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $669 in San Cristobal and $658 in Maracay, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Maracay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to San Cristobal or to Maracay?
If budget matters most, go with Maracay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Cristobal makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
San Cristobal vs other spots: cost of living compared