Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and El Salvador Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and El Salvador

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 61.9% more expensive than El Salvador without rent, and 97.5% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 72.6% more expensive than El Salvador without rent, and 110.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.97 $19.97
$7.45 $7.45
168.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.7 $74.7
$30.50 $30.50
144.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.40 $11.40
$6.87 $6.87
65.94%
Cappuccino
$5.37 $5.37
$3.31 $3.31
62.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$1.15 $1.15
128.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.89 $0.89
131.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.90 $5.90
$1.96 $1.96
201.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.02 $7.02
$3.07 $3.07
128.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.83 $1.83
-40.44%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$1.96 $1.96
81.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.62 $1.62
191.98%
Eggs
$4.30 $4.30
$2.67 $2.67
61.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.01 $13.01
$7.46 $7.46
74.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.22 $12.22
$5.90 $5.90
107.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.36 $16.36
$9.54 $9.54
71.49%
Apples (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$3.32 $3.32
56.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.84 $1.84
-7.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$2.50 $2.50
83.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$2.66 $2.66
86.84%
Potato (1kg)
$2.98 $2.98
$2.32 $2.32
28.45%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.17 $2.17
40.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$0.96 $0.96
135.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.13 $1.13
92.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.83 $9.83
$3.93 $3.93
150.13%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$10.83 $10.83
40.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.61 $1.61
18.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$2.39 $2.39
49.79%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
El Salvador
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.36 $0.36
591.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.1 $66.1
$29.21 $29.21
126.33%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.82 $3.82
$6.37 $6.37
-40.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.92 $2.92
-39.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.48 $29.48
$20.15 $20.15
46.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$1.03 $1.03
-11.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$24.8K $24.8K
18.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$26.5K $26.5K
-1.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$90.6 $90.6
127.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.9 $56.9
$19.85 $19.85
186.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.8 $72.8
$41.97 $41.97
73.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.23 $45.23
$30.08 $30.08
50.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.84 $21.84
$19.42 $19.42
12.46%
Cinema Ticket
$13.79 $13.79
$5.10 $5.10
170.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,355 $1,355
$144 $144
837.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.6K $22.6K
$4,311 $4,311
423.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$57.0 $57.0
-9.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.37 $42.37
$40.43 $40.43
4.80%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 $88.6
$112 $112
-20.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$95.4 $95.4
20.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
El Salvador
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,763 $1,763
$697 $697
152.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,432 $1,432
$634 $634
126.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,827 $2,827
$1,097 $1,097
157.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,358 $2,358
$867 $867
172.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,391 $3,391
$2,708 $2,708
25.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,614 $2,614
$1,555 $1,555
68.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
El Salvador
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,326 $4,326
$433 $433
900.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
9.05
-28.07%

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

Last update for United States: March 3, 2026

Last update for El Salvador: March 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated January 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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