Cost of Living in Leon - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Leon
Address: Leon, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $630 (excluding rent), and $721 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,636 (excluding rent), and $1,546 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.77 NIO 176

$3.20 NIO 118

$9.71 NIO 357

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.53 NIO 1,271

$24.67 NIO 908

$78.9 NIO 2,906

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.84 NIO 252

$5.33 NIO 196

$7.81 NIO 288

Cappuccino

$2.34 NIO 86.0

$1.07 NIO 39.43

$3.97 NIO 146

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

$0.79 NIO 29.08

$0.46 NIO 17.02

$1.31 NIO 48.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 NIO 27.75

$0.49 NIO 18.11

$1.05 NIO 38.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.32 NIO 48.75

$1.10 NIO 40.57

$1.69 NIO 62.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 NIO 75.7

$1.95 NIO 72.0

$3.19 NIO 117

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 NIO 46.30

$0.91 NIO 33.61

$1.43 NIO 52.7

White Bread (500g)

$2.37 NIO 87.3

$1.91 NIO 70.3

$2.41 NIO 88.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.88 NIO 69.3

$1.39 NIO 51.2

$1.94 NIO 71.6

Eggs

$2.36 NIO 86.8

$1.71 NIO 62.9

$2.56 NIO 94.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.08 NIO 408

$4.74 NIO 174

$13.49 NIO 497

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.63 NIO 244

$2.95 NIO 109

$6.63 NIO 244

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.79 NIO 287

$6.98 NIO 257

$10.54 NIO 388

Apples (1kg)

$4.00 NIO 147

$3.46 NIO 128

$5.12 NIO 189

Banana (1kg)

$0.84 NIO 30.78

$0.58 NIO 21.22

$2.12 NIO 78.2

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 NIO 67.7

$1.53 NIO 56.4

$5.54 NIO 204

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 80.4

$1.93 NIO 71.1

$2.99 NIO 110

Potato (1kg)

$4.01 NIO 148

$3.05 NIO 112

$4.11 NIO 151

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 NIO 79.7

$2.05 NIO 75.4

$2.62 NIO 96.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 NIO 37.16

$0.69 NIO 25.37

$1.61 NIO 59.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 NIO 39.03

$0.80 NIO 29.56

$1.54 NIO 56.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.69 NIO 98.9

$2.49 NIO 91.9

$2.76 NIO 102

Wine (Bottle)

$14.45 NIO 532

$9.57 NIO 352

$14.45 NIO 532

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.41 NIO 51.9

$1.07 NIO 39.21

$1.67 NIO 61.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 NIO 79.5

$1.68 NIO 61.9

$2.27 NIO 83.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.46 NIO 53.9

$1.33 NIO 48.87

$1.59 NIO 58.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.69 NIO 246

$5.37 NIO 198

$9.83 NIO 362

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 NIO 49.77

$1.33 NIO 49.02

$1.36 NIO 50.1

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

$22.8K NIO 841.1K

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

$26.3K NIO 969.1K

$26.7K NIO 981.8K

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

$99.5 NIO 3,662

$90.8 NIO 3,342

$109 NIO 4,031

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

$17.33 NIO 638

$15.28 NIO 563

$19.47 NIO 717

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.65 NIO 1,350

$29.49 NIO 1,086

$59.0 NIO 2,172

Cinema Ticket

$8.04 NIO 296

$6.18 NIO 228

$12.06 NIO 444

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

$124 NIO 4,570

$66.7 NIO 2,454

$260 NIO 9,570

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,985 NIO 220.4K

$4,189 NIO 154.3K

$8,977 NIO 330.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.4 NIO 2,813

$54.1 NIO 1,991

$88.8 NIO 3,270

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$71.7 NIO 2,641

$39.40 NIO 1,451

$119 NIO 4,371

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$132 NIO 4,849

$79.4 NIO 2,925

$149 NIO 5,484

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 NIO 4,035

$55.7 NIO 2,052

$152 NIO 5,596

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$398 NIO 14.6K

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: January 11, 2026

Leon Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

City tags:

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.