Cost of Living in Managua - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Managua
Address: Managua, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $651 (excluding rent), and $929 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,603 (excluding rent), and $2,115 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.77 NIO 176

$3.20 NIO 118

$9.71 NIO 358

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.78 NIO 1,281

$24.84 NIO 915

$79.5 NIO 2,927

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.10 NIO 261

$5.53 NIO 204

$8.11 NIO 299

Cappuccino

$2.33 NIO 85.9

$1.07 NIO 39.37

$3.97 NIO 146

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

$0.79 NIO 29.23

$0.46 NIO 17.11

$1.32 NIO 48.48

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 NIO 25.26

$0.45 NIO 16.49

$0.95 NIO 35.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 NIO 47.06

$1.06 NIO 39.16

$1.63 NIO 60.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 NIO 74.1

$1.91 NIO 70.4

$3.12 NIO 115

Milk (1 liter)

$1.20 NIO 44.32

$0.87 NIO 32.17

$1.37 NIO 50.4

White Bread (500g)

$2.40 NIO 88.2

$1.93 NIO 71.0

$2.44 NIO 89.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 NIO 69.6

$1.40 NIO 51.5

$1.95 NIO 71.9

Eggs

$2.27 NIO 83.7

$1.65 NIO 60.7

$2.47 NIO 91.0

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.38 NIO 419

$4.87 NIO 179

$13.86 NIO 510

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.43 NIO 237

$2.86 NIO 105

$6.43 NIO 237

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.99 NIO 294

$7.16 NIO 264

$10.81 NIO 398

Apples (1kg)

$3.95 NIO 145

$3.42 NIO 126

$5.06 NIO 186

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 NIO 31.60

$0.59 NIO 21.79

$2.18 NIO 80.3

Oranges (1kg)

$1.79 NIO 65.8

$1.49 NIO 54.8

$5.39 NIO 198

Tomato (1kg)

$2.21 NIO 81.3

$1.95 NIO 71.8

$3.02 NIO 111

Potato (1kg)

$3.89 NIO 143

$2.96 NIO 109

$3.99 NIO 147

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 NIO 82.0

$2.11 NIO 77.6

$2.69 NIO 99.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 NIO 37.75

$0.70 NIO 25.77

$1.64 NIO 60.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 NIO 36.81

$0.76 NIO 27.87

$1.46 NIO 53.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.64 NIO 97.3

$2.45 NIO 90.4

$2.71 NIO 99.9

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 NIO 550

$9.90 NIO 364

$14.94 NIO 550

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 NIO 53.4

$1.10 NIO 40.33

$1.71 NIO 63.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 NIO 80.9

$1.71 NIO 63.1

$2.31 NIO 85.0

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.15 NIO 5.48

$0.29 NIO 10.57

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.11 NIO 225

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.46 NIO 53.6

$1.32 NIO 48.58

$1.58 NIO 58.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 NIO 21.48

$0.55 NIO 20.33

$1.70 NIO 62.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.69 NIO 246

$5.37 NIO 198

$9.84 NIO 362

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 NIO 47.58

$1.27 NIO 46.86

$1.30 NIO 47.94

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

$22.8K NIO 841.2K

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

$26.3K NIO 966.6K

$26.6K NIO 979.2K

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

$100 NIO 3,688

$91.4 NIO 3,366

$110 NIO 4,059

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

$17.10 NIO 630

$15.08 NIO 555

$19.21 NIO 707

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.55 NIO 1,383

$30.22 NIO 1,113

$60.4 NIO 2,225

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.14 NIO 1,294

$16.08 NIO 592

$98.2 NIO 3,616

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.81 NIO 545

Cinema Ticket

$7.92 NIO 292

$6.09 NIO 224

$11.88 NIO 437

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

$123 NIO 4,542

$66.2 NIO 2,439

$258 NIO 9,510

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,036 NIO 222.2K

$4,225 NIO 155.6K

$9,054 NIO 333.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.6 NIO 2,856

$54.9 NIO 2,021

$90.2 NIO 3,319

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$73.0 NIO 2,687

$40.10 NIO 1,476

$121 NIO 4,448

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$135 NIO 4,955

$81.2 NIO 2,989

$152 NIO 5,604

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 NIO 3,995

$55.2 NIO 2,032

$150 NIO 5,540

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 NIO 9,347

$119 NIO 4,370

$396 NIO 14.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 NIO 6,937

$69.4 NIO 2,556

$248 NIO 9,127

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 NIO 15.8K

$245 NIO 9,026

$1,177 NIO 43.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$455 NIO 16.7K

$405 NIO 14.9K

$504 NIO 18.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,207 NIO 44.4K

$791 NIO 29.1K

$2,105 NIO 77.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$636 NIO 23.4K

$360 NIO 13.2K

$880 NIO 32.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$347 NIO 12.8K

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 12, 2026

Managua Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

101

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

123

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 Managua - Frequently Asked Questions

Managua offers strong value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who prioritize local options. In broad terms, daily costs – housing, food, and transport – tend to be affordable by regional standards, especially if you choose local services over tourist-oriented ones. The city lets you mix minibar convenience with street-food freshness, and you can largely navigate with buses or rideshares at reasonable expense. For longer stays, you’ll appreciate the option to negotiate longer leases for better monthly rates. Cost of Living in Managua, Nicaragua is typically compatible with a range of budgets while leaving room for weekend explorations. Tip: Start with a short stay in a central neighborhood to test the pace, amenities, and comfort level.

Finding a home is straightforward if you know where to look: central zones offer walkability and city services, while outer neighborhoods often deliver more space for the same price. For food, favor local markets, panaderias, and casual eateries for the best value – fresh produce and tortillas are common staples. Transport is practical via city buses, informal taxis, and ride-hailing apps, with options that suit short hops or longer commutes. If you work remotely, consider coworking spaces near central districts for networking and reliable internet. Managua living cost varies by area, so budget for a buffer when you explore rentals and utility setup. Tip: Map out a few neighborhoods in advance and test a week of shopping and transit before committing to a lease.

To maximize your quality of life, build a flexible budgeting framework that tracks housing, utilities, and food as separate categories. Managua’s dry and rainy seasons affect comfort and expenses – air conditioning or fans, water usage, and travel patterns shift with humidity and rain. Before choosing a neighborhood, visit at different times of day and talk to locals about safety, noise, and access to markets. Consider a mix of local groceries, casual eateries, and occasional splurges on fresh seafood or coffee. A longer initial stay helps you negotiate better rent or utilities, and joining digital nomad groups can reveal hidden cost-saving tips. Tip: Create a one-page budget plan that accounts for recurring costs and seasonal changes, then adjust as you go.