Cost of Living in Cotacachi - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Cotacachi
Address: Cotacachi, EC

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $519 (excluding rent), and $723 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,181 (excluding rent), and $1,582 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.67 $3.67

$2.93 $2.93

$8.8 $8.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.75 $19.75

$62.2 $62.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.88 $3.88

$7.76 $7.76

Cappuccino

$2.26 $2.26

$1.51 $1.51

$4.83 $4.83

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

$1.08 $1.08

$0.49 $0.49

$1.97 $1.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 $0.68

$0.49 $0.49

$0.98 $0.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.53 $1.53

$6.13 $6.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.03 $3.03

$7.06 $7.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.59 $0.59

$1.95 $1.95

White Bread (500g)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.01 $1.01

$4.06 $4.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.21 $1.21

$2.82 $2.82

Eggs

$2.29 $2.29

$1.41 $1.41

$4.23 $4.23

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.38 $8.38

$2.91 $2.91

$19.41 $19.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.03 $8.03

$3.07 $3.07

$14.33 $14.33

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.67 $7.67

$3.08 $3.08

$12.32 $12.32

Apples (1kg)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.01 $1.01

$4.44 $4.44

Banana (1kg)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.49 $0.49

$2.93 $2.93

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.71 $0.71

$4.89 $4.89

Tomato (1kg)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.56 $0.56

$3.08 $3.08

Potato (1kg)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.59 $0.59

$3.09 $3.09

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.59 $0.59

$2.16 $2.16

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.58 $0.58

$0.99 $0.99

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.49 $0.49

$1.96 $1.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.55 $4.55

$4.05 $4.05

$8.1 $8.1

Wine (Bottle)

$7.65 $7.65

$3.06 $3.06

$15.3 $15.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.02 $1.02

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.78 $1.78

$4.07 $4.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.48 $0.48

$0.36 $0.36

$0.83 $0.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.75 $14.75

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.8 $0.8

$2.06 $2.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.07 $10.07

$5.03 $5.03

$20.14 $20.14

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.66 $0.66

$0.61 $0.61

$0.96 $0.96

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

$20.1K $20.1K

$18.1K $18.1K

$21.1K $21.1K

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$20.1K $20.1K

$40.2K $40.2K

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

$34.36 $34.36

$23.12 $23.12

$79.8 $79.8

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

$12.72 $12.72

$10.02 $10.02

$23.04 $23.04

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.85 $25.85

$21.2 $21.2

$40.38 $40.38

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.19 $30.19

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.81 $7.81

Cinema Ticket

$6.86 $6.86

$5.88 $5.88

$7.84 $7.84

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

$76.2 $76.2

$356 $356

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,984 $2,984

$9,946 $9,946

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.86 $41.86

$20.09 $20.09

$111 $111

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.05 $42.05

$20.18 $20.18

$60.6 $60.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$60.4 $60.4

$126 $126

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60 $60

$29.99 $29.99

$200 $200

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 $264

$224 $224

$349 $349

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$177 $177

$152 $152

$253 $253

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$420 $420

$350 $350

$599 $599

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$341 $341

$256 $256

$553 $553

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$610 $610

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$522 $522

$408 $408

$636 $636

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$428 $428

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.19

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Cotacachi - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with large cities and coastal hotspots, Cotacachi tends to feel approachable for both short visits and longer stays. You’ll find modest apartments and casas in central areas at sensible monthly rents, and meals at local eateries are budget-friendly by many standards. Public transport is affordable, and you can reach markets, cafes, and coworking spaces with a short walk or ride. The pace is relaxed, crafts markets offer color, and local services emphasize practicality over luxury. Cost of Living in Cotacachi, Ecuador remains rooted in everyday needs rather than flash. Tip: map a weekly budget around housing, food, and transit, then adjust with the seasons.

Daily life centers on walkable streets, fresh markets, and cafes with reliable wifi. For housing, start with local agents and long-term rental listings; expect smaller, well-kept spaces in or near the town center and around central plazas. Food options range from mercados with produce and spices to affordable eateries and bakeries – the home kitchen remains the best value. Transport is simple: walk, bike, bus, or short taxi rides; many expats use scooters or motorcycles for broader exploration. Coworking spaces and cafes with power outlets make remote work feasible. Cotacachi, Ecuador living cost offers a practical frame for planning. Tip: visit at various times to gauge crowd levels and utility reliability.

Quality of life here leans on a strong sense of community, outdoor access, and a cooler climate that suits longer stays. Use a simple budgeting framework: housing and utilities first, groceries second, then discretionary outings. Seasonal changes affect markets and outdoor activities more than big price swings, so plan for the rainy season by stocking essentials and scheduling outdoor work in dry periods. Neighborhood fit ranges from central plazas with cafes to hillside residential zones offering quiet mornings; consider altitude, street noise, and proximity to clinics. Tip: test a few neighborhoods in different seasons before committing to a longer lease.