Cost of Living Comparison Between San Salvador and Candelaria de la Frontera Cost of Living Comparison Between San Salvador and Candelaria de la Frontera

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,491 per month in San Salvador vs $742 in Candelaria de la Frontera, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,161 per month in San Salvador vs $1,189 in Candelaria de la Frontera, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,831 per month in San Salvador vs $1,636 in Candelaria de la Frontera, rent included.

San Salvador costs about 101% more than Candelaria de la Frontera, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

San Salvador sits 11% above the global median, while Candelaria de la Frontera is 45% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.18 $8.18

$8.13 $8.13

0.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.47 $35.47

$35.22 $35.22

0.71%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.09 $7.09

$7.07 $7.07

0.28%

Cappuccino

$3.19 $3.19

$3.18 $3.18

0.31%

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

$1.14 $1.14

$1.10 $1.10

3.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.91 $0.91

-4.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.02 $2.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.01 $3.01

2.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.82 $1.82

-1.10%

White Bread (500g)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.00 $2.00

3.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.49 $1.49

3.36%

Eggs

$2.90 $2.90

$2.83 $2.83

2.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.13 $7.13

$6.96 $6.96

2.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.89 $6.89

$6.91 $6.91

-0.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.66 $10.66

$10.79 $10.79

-1.20%

Apples (1kg)

$3.14 $3.14

Banana (1kg)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.68 $1.68

3.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.50 $2.50

3.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.75 $2.75

-1.82%

Potato (1kg)

$2.14 $2.14

$2.24 $2.24

-4.46%

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.13 $2.13

1.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.99 $0.99

-4.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 $1.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.07 $4.07

$3.98 $3.98

2.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.84 $10.84

$11.04 $11.04

-1.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.68 $1.68

1.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.48 $2.48

0.81%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 $0.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.13 $25.13

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.48 $5.48

$5.46 $5.46

0.37%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.03 $3.03

$3.02 $3.02

0.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.21 $20.21

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.00 $1.00

4.00%

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

$25.3K $25.3K

$25.9K $25.9K

-2.36%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

0.10%

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

$101 $101

-0.26%

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

$19.05 $19.05

$19.24 $19.24

-0.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.29 $41.29

$41.89 $41.89

-1.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.69 $31.69

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.10 $20.10

Cinema Ticket

$5.09 $5.09

$5.15 $5.15

-1.17%

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

$147 $147

$144 $144

2.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,971 $5,971

$6,026 $6,026

-0.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.3 $66.3

$68.5 $68.5

-3.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.65 $43.65

$43.72 $43.72

-0.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$118 $118

-1.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$107 $107

-3.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$827 $827

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$697 $697

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,454 $1,454

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,107 $1,107

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,759 $2,759

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,822 $1,822

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$377 $377

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.58

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

Last update for San Salvador: June 1, 2026

Last update for Candelaria de la Frontera: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in San Salvador versus $35.00 in Candelaria de la Frontera. Groceries tell a different story – $257 in San Salvador vs $256 in Candelaria de la Frontera – so Candelaria de la Frontera wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Salvador vs Candelaria de la Frontera: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

San Salvador costs about 101% more than Candelaria de la Frontera, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,236 per month in San Salvador and $1,113 in Candelaria de la Frontera. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,491 in San Salvador and $742 in Candelaria de la Frontera. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $147 per month in San Salvador and $144 in Candelaria de la Frontera. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Candelaria de la Frontera, where all-in costs run around $742, than in San Salvador at $1,491. In Candelaria de la Frontera it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Salvador it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Candelaria de la Frontera – 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 Candelaria de la Frontera. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Salvador makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.