Cost of Living in Leon - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Leon
Address: Leon, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $602 (excluding rent), and $717 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,431 (excluding rent), and $1,562 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.85 NIO 178

$3.26 NIO 119

$9.89 NIO 362

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.02 NIO 1,282

$25.01 NIO 916

$80 NIO 2,931

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.9 NIO 253

$5.38 NIO 197

$7.89 NIO 289

Cappuccino

$2.35 NIO 86

$1.08 NIO 39.4

$3.99 NIO 146

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

$0.79 NIO 28.88

$0.46 NIO 16.91

$1.31 NIO 47.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 NIO 25.93

$0.46 NIO 16.93

$0.98 NIO 36.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 NIO 47.03

$1.07 NIO 39.14

$1.64 NIO 60

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 NIO 71.8

$1.86 NIO 68.2

$3.04 NIO 111

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 NIO 45.9

$0.91 NIO 33.32

$1.43 NIO 52.2

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 NIO 89.5

$1.97 NIO 72.1

$2.49 NIO 91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.8 NIO 65.9

$1.33 NIO 48.69

$1.86 NIO 68

Eggs

$2.35 NIO 86.2

$1.71 NIO 62.5

$2.56 NIO 93.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.04 NIO 404

$4.72 NIO 173

$13.44 NIO 492

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.72 NIO 246

$2.99 NIO 110

$6.72 NIO 246

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.98 NIO 292

$7.15 NIO 262

$10.81 NIO 396

Apples (1kg)

$3.96 NIO 145

$3.43 NIO 126

$5.07 NIO 186

Banana (1kg)

$0.84 NIO 30.73

$0.58 NIO 21.19

$2.13 NIO 78.1

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 NIO 65

$1.48 NIO 54.2

$5.35 NIO 196

Tomato (1kg)

$2.27 NIO 83.1

$2 NIO 73.4

$3.1 NIO 114

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 NIO 140

$2.91 NIO 107

$3.92 NIO 144

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 NIO 79

$2.04 NIO 74.7

$2.61 NIO 95.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 NIO 39.2

$0.73 NIO 26.76

$1.71 NIO 62.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 NIO 37.31

$0.77 NIO 28.26

$1.48 NIO 54.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.63 NIO 96.4

$2.44 NIO 89.5

$2.7 NIO 98.9

Wine (Bottle)

$14.93 NIO 547

$9.89 NIO 362

$14.93 NIO 547

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 NIO 53.5

$1.1 NIO 40.39

$1.73 NIO 63.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 NIO 80.1

$1.71 NIO 62.4

$2.3 NIO 84.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 NIO 54

$1.34 NIO 48.95

$1.6 NIO 58.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.74 NIO 247

$5.41 NIO 198

$9.91 NIO 363

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 NIO 47.9

$1.29 NIO 47.18

$1.32 NIO 48.26

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

$23.1K NIO 844.5K

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

$26.3K NIO 964.3K

$26.7K NIO 977K

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

$97.5 NIO 3,572

$89 NIO 3,260

$107 NIO 3,932

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

$17.34 NIO 635

$15.29 NIO 560

$19.49 NIO 714

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.59 NIO 1,340

$29.44 NIO 1,078

$58.9 NIO 2,157

Cinema Ticket

$8.14 NIO 298

$6.25 NIO 229

$12.2 NIO 447

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

$124 NIO 4,545

$66.6 NIO 2,441

$260 NIO 9,518

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,916 NIO 216.7K

$4,141 NIO 151.7K

$8,874 NIO 325K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.3 NIO 2,795

$54 NIO 1,977

$88.7 NIO 3,248

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.5 NIO 2,691

$40.37 NIO 1,478

$122 NIO 4,454

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$133 NIO 4,882

$80.4 NIO 2,944

$151 NIO 5,521

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,926

$54.5 NIO 1,996

$149 NIO 5,444

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$406 NIO 14.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.25

11.75

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Leon - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Leon, Nicaragua tends to be favorable for travelers and digital nomads who value culture with a manageable budget. It feels cheaper than many touristy hubs, thanks to inexpensive street food, straightforward guesthouses, and nearby coworking or cafe spaces that welcome remote workers. Expats who stay longer often optimize value by choosing longer-term rentals in quieter neighborhoods and cooking at home. The overall rhythm remains steady, with seasonal festivals briefly nudging prices upward. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods you can walk, and test a few coworking spots to balance pace and costs.

Daily life in Leon blends relaxed pace with easy access to essentials. Housing options range from modest casitas to brick homes in calm neighborhoods; you’ll typically find longer leases and lower rents when you search away from the most touristy streets. Groceries come from markets and small shops, with farmers' stand buys offering fresh produce at low cost when you shop regularly. Getting around is simple by foot in the historic center or by bus and taxi on longer trips. For remote work, many cafes and coworking spaces thrive in central zones. Leon, Nicaragua living cost remains approachable for steady routines. Tip: Try a 3- to 5-day house-hunt in a couple of neighborhoods to compare noise, safety, and transport access.

Quality of life in Leon balances culture, climate, and practical budgeting. A simple framework helps: anchor on housing, food, transport, and activities, then adapt as your routine shifts. The dry season brings lively street life and accessible outdoor options, while the rainy season can shift plans but lowers some prices for local services. Neighborhood fit matters: central, walkable zones offer quick errands and cafe culture, while calmer areas reduce noise and traffic but may require a bike or bus. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and using public transit. Tip: set a monthly flex fund for spontaneous coffee runs or weekend trips to nearby sights.