Cost of Living Comparison Between San Salvador and El Congo Cost of Living Comparison Between San Salvador and El Congo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,496 per month in San Salvador vs $570 in El Congo, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,211 per month in San Salvador vs $602 in El Congo, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,925 per month in San Salvador vs $634 in El Congo, rent included.

San Salvador costs about 162% more than El Congo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

San Salvador sits 12% above the global median, while El Congo is 57% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.01 $8.01

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.37 $35.37

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.91 $6.91

Cappuccino

$3.24 $3.24

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

$1.10 $1.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.87 $0.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.96 $1.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 $2.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 $1.80

White Bread (500g)

$1.99 $1.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 $1.48

Eggs

$2.88 $2.88

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.02 $7.02

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 $6.51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.73 $10.73

Apples (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 $1.73

Oranges (1kg)

$2.63 $2.63

Tomato (1kg)

$2.65 $2.65

Potato (1kg)

$2.25 $2.25

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 $2.20

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 $0.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 $1.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 $3.95

Wine (Bottle)

$10.95 $10.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 $0.37

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.51 $24.51

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.63 $5.63

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.01 $3.01

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.90 $19.90

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

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

$26.0K $26.0K

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

$28.0K $28.0K

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

$104 $104

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

$18.89 $18.89

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.11 $42.11

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.65 $31.65

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.34 $20.34

Cinema Ticket

$5.29 $5.29

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

$147 $147

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 $5,975

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.0 $68.0

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.13 $43.13

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 $118

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$844 $844

$718 $718

17.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$709 $709

$569 $569

24.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,464 $1,464

$951 $951

53.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,110 $1,110

$618 $618

79.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,830 $2,830

$4,257 $4,257

-33.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,835 $1,835

$1,310 $1,310

40.11%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$376 $376

$939 $939

-59.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.58

5.72

50.00%

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

Last update for San Salvador: April 22, 2026

Last update for El Congo: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $844 in San Salvador versus $718 in El Congo. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 150% higher in El Congo, 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 $35 in San Salvador versus $0 in El Congo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $254 vs $0 – making El Congo 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 Salvador vs El Congo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,496 in San Salvador, $570 in El Congo – roughly 162% apart. San Salvador costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,244 per month in San Salvador and $856 in El Congo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in El Congo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in El Congo, where all-in costs run around $570, than in San Salvador at $1,496. In El Congo it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Salvador it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward El Congo – 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 El Congo. 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.