Cost of Living in El Salvador - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: El Salvador
Address: SV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $700 (excluding rent), and $1,445 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,629 (excluding rent), and $2,575 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.32 $7.32

$3.13 $3.13

$14.65 $14.65

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.53 $30.53

$25.44 $25.44

$81.4 $81.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.15 $7.15

$6.13 $6.13

$7.66 $7.66

Cappuccino

$3.43 $3.43

$1.52 $1.52

$5.07 $5.07

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

$1.15 $1.15

$0.77 $0.77

$2.06 $2.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.49 $0.49

$1.47 $1.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.27 $1.27

$3.06 $3.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.55 $2.55

$5.10 $5.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.43 $1.43

$3.31 $3.31

White Bread (500g)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.01 $1.01

$3.04 $3.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 $1.58

$0.64 $0.64

$2.37 $2.37

Eggs

$2.66 $2.66

$1.83 $1.83

$3.91 $3.91

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 $7.55

$4.11 $4.11

$12.32 $12.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$2.29 $2.29

$7.85 $7.85

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.76 $9.76

$6.05 $6.05

$13.34 $13.34

Apples (1kg)

$3.42 $3.42

$1.83 $1.83

$4.51 $4.51

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 $1.86

$0.79 $0.79

$2.19 $2.19

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$0.98 $0.98

$4.30 $4.30

Tomato (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$0.99 $0.99

$4.39 $4.39

Potato (1kg)

$2.32 $2.32

$0.97 $0.97

$3.90 $3.90

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.01 $1.01

$3.34 $3.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.62 $0.62

$1.43 $1.43

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.74 $0.74

$1.47 $1.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.60 $4.60

Wine (Bottle)

$10.76 $10.76

$5.93 $5.93

$14.82 $14.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.03 $1.03

$2.34 $2.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.98 $1.98

$2.97 $2.97

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 $0.33

$0.29 $0.29

$0.95 $0.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.93 $28.93

$15.09 $15.09

$60.4 $60.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.47 $6.47

$4.97 $4.97

$9.95 $9.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.94 $2.94

$3.92 $3.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.63 $19.63

$9.81 $9.81

$19.63 $19.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.00 $1.00

$1.19 $1.19

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$21.9K $21.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

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

$26.9K $26.9K

$25.4K $25.4K

$30.4K $30.4K

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

$89.6 $89.6

$44.50 $44.50

$160 $160

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

$19.67 $19.67

$14.88 $14.88

$39.67 $39.67

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$40.53 $40.53

$34.45 $34.45

$49.22 $49.22

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.06 $30.06

$19.62 $19.62

$39.24 $39.24

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 $19.10

$14.91 $14.91

$21.74 $21.74

Cinema Ticket

$5.03 $5.03

$6.54 $6.54

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

$139 $139

$90.5 $90.5

$197 $197

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,288 $4,288

$2,429 $2,429

$11.6K $11.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.9 $57.9

$25.43 $25.43

$76.3 $76.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.25 $40.25

$30.19 $30.19

$80.5 $80.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$74.7 $74.7

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.1 $98.1

$70.8 $70.8

$137 $137

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$694 $694

$505 $505

$859 $859

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$632 $632

$451 $451

$1,000 $1,000

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,100 $1,100

$590 $590

$1,799 $1,799

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$874 $874

$508 $508

$1,321 $1,321

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,678 $2,678

$1,978 $1,978

$3,188 $3,188

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,566 $1,566

$961 $961

$2,494 $2,494

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$477 $477

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.05

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

Last update: February 1, 2026

By City in El Salvador

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Aguilares	-	33	$576	$663	$1,469	$1,408	352.07	126.08
2	Ahuachapan	110511	89	$615	$1,733	$1,424	$2,009	63.36	104.56
3	Anamoros	16594	37	$646	$759	$1,615	$1,638	31.68	90.28
4	Antiguo Cuscatlan	-	37	$630	$758	$1,707	$1,640	183.67	155.42
5	Ayutuxtepeque	60000	48	$528	$960	$1,483	$1,815	43.45	129.88
6	Candelaria de la Frontera	-	37	$710	$738	$1,618	$1,612	252.64	105.17
7	Cojutepeque	-	37	$662	$751	$1,423	$1,638	159.62	127.92
8	El Congo	-			$578		$621	28.5	104.52
9	Ilopango	-	82	$530	$1,649	$1,585	$2,075	113.31	121.84
10	Puerto De La Libertad	-	37	$717	$748	$1,521	$1,635	59.65	111.9
11	San Miguel	-	64	$735	$1,257	$1,585	$2,421	24.41	84.59
12	San Salvador	316090	75	$710	$1,511	$1,685	$2,915	106.13	123.66
13	San Vicente	-	37	$590	$752	$1,308	$1,624	243.33	111.28
14	Santa Ana	167200	40	$567	$811	$1,470	$1,737	155.58	121.14
15	Santa Tecla	138695	68	$741	$1,382	$1,634	$2,554	203.15	136.79
16	Sonsonate	-	55	$643	$1,112	$1,334	$2,161	124.47	117.67
17	Soyapango	-						231.03	121.93
18	Suchitoto	-	37	$564	$745	$1,621	$1,650	95.42	117.43
19	Texistepeque	-		$237	$207	$411	$463	159.58	109.41
20	Zaragoza	-	31	$547	$617	$1,389	$1,401	15.3	123

El Salvador Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in El Salvador - Frequently Asked Questions

El Salvador offers a mix of affordable daily life and authentic experiences, making it appealing for travelers and remote workers who value budget flexibility. In general terms, you'll find lower costs for lodging, local meals, and transportation than in many neighboring countries, though prices can rise in tourist-heavy towns or coastal areas. Cost of Living in El Salvador tends to be seasonal and area-dependent, with rural districts often cheaper than popular beach towns. It suits you if you're flexible about pace and amenities, and you're prepared to balance safety considerations with exploration. Tip: align your stay with a neighborhood that fits your work routine.

Daily life in El Salvador blends practical logistics with warm, local flavor. In housing, you’ll find options in San Salvador's connected districts and quieter coastal towns, where longer leases can reduce monthly costs compared with short stays. Food offers variety: street pupusas, vibrant mercados, and casual eateries help you dine well on a budget. Transport runs on buses, colectivos, and ride-hailing apps, with traffic shifting by day and season. Co-working spaces appear in cities, often with flexible plans for nomads and freelancers. Errands, banking, and healthcare are reliable in urban centers but may be slower in rural pockets. El Salvador living cost. Tip: map a route that minimizes backtracking to save time and money.

Quality of life hinges on daily routine and safety, so choose neighborhoods that balance access to amenities with a relaxed vibe. For budgeting, plan around a core housing area you like, then compare local markets for groceries, and consider cooking at home to cut costs. Seasonal shifts affect travel and entertainment: dry season means beach access is easier but popular places can fill up; rainy season can affect transport and outdoor plans. Focus on flexible workspaces and social networks to cut costs on activities. Tip: set a simple monthly framework that prioritizes essential expenses and leaves room for occasional adventures.