Cost of Living in Managua - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Managua
Address: Managua, NI

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $664 (excluding rent), and $963 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,567 (excluding rent), and $2,123 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.03 NIO 184

$3.38 NIO 124

$10.25 NIO 375

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.14 NIO 1,287

$25.1 NIO 919

$80.3 NIO 2,942

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.15 NIO 262

$5.58 NIO 204

$8.17 NIO 299

Cappuccino

$2.37 NIO 86.8

$1.09 NIO 39.77

$4.03 NIO 148

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

$0.79 NIO 29.08

$0.46 NIO 17.02

$1.32 NIO 48.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.7 NIO 25.45

$0.45 NIO 16.62

$0.97 NIO 35.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.32 NIO 48.36

$1.1 NIO 40.23

$1.68 NIO 61.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 NIO 71.1

$1.84 NIO 67.6

$3.01 NIO 110

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 NIO 44.95

$0.89 NIO 32.63

$1.4 NIO 51.1

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 NIO 90.1

$1.98 NIO 72.5

$2.5 NIO 91.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 NIO 67

$1.35 NIO 49.52

$1.89 NIO 69.2

Eggs

$2.31 NIO 84.6

$1.67 NIO 61.3

$2.51 NIO 92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.19 NIO 410

$4.78 NIO 175

$13.62 NIO 499

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.43 NIO 236

$2.86 NIO 105

$6.43 NIO 236

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.06 NIO 295

$7.22 NIO 265

$10.91 NIO 400

Apples (1kg)

$3.88 NIO 142

$3.36 NIO 123

$4.97 NIO 182

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 NIO 33.27

$0.63 NIO 22.95

$2.31 NIO 84.5

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 NIO 67.3

$1.53 NIO 56.1

$5.54 NIO 203

Tomato (1kg)

$2.26 NIO 82.9

$2 NIO 73.3

$3.1 NIO 113

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 NIO 140

$2.92 NIO 107

$3.93 NIO 144

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 NIO 79

$2.04 NIO 74.7

$2.61 NIO 95.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 NIO 39.13

$0.73 NIO 26.71

$1.71 NIO 62.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 NIO 38.79

$0.8 NIO 29.37

$1.54 NIO 56.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.59 NIO 94.8

$2.4 NIO 88

$2.66 NIO 97.3

Wine (Bottle)

$14.55 NIO 533

$9.64 NIO 353

$14.55 NIO 533

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 NIO 51.8

$1.07 NIO 39.15

$1.67 NIO 61.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 NIO 82.4

$1.75 NIO 64.2

$2.36 NIO 86.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.13 NIO 4.8

$0.25 NIO 9.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.92 NIO 217

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 NIO 53.8

$1.33 NIO 48.78

$1.6 NIO 58.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.55 NIO 20.11

$0.52 NIO 19.03

$1.6 NIO 58.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.81 NIO 249

$5.47 NIO 200

$10.02 NIO 367

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.3 NIO 47.72

$1.28 NIO 47

$1.31 NIO 48.08

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

$23.1K NIO 844.2K

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

$26.7K NIO 976.1K

$27K NIO 988.9K

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

$97.5 NIO 3,570

$89 NIO 3,258

$107 NIO 3,930

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

$17.03 NIO 624

$15.02 NIO 550

$19.14 NIO 701

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.82 NIO 1,385

$30.43 NIO 1,115

$60.9 NIO 2,229

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.82 NIO 1,312

$16.4 NIO 600

$100 NIO 3,666

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.9 NIO 546

Cinema Ticket

$7.82 NIO 286

$6.01 NIO 220

$11.73 NIO 430

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

$125 NIO 4,567

$67 NIO 2,452

$261 NIO 9,563

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,000 NIO 219.7K

$4,200 NIO 153.8K

$9,000 NIO 329.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.2 NIO 2,827

$54.6 NIO 2,001

$89.7 NIO 3,286

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$71.5 NIO 2,619

$39.29 NIO 1,439

$118 NIO 4,336

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$132 NIO 4,846

$79.8 NIO 2,923

$150 NIO 5,480

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 NIO 3,916

$54.4 NIO 1,991

$148 NIO 5,431

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$259 NIO 9,495

$121 NIO 4,439

$404 NIO 14.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 NIO 6,903

$69.4 NIO 2,543

$248 NIO 9,083

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$438 NIO 16.1K

$251 NIO 9,181

$1,203 NIO 44.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$454 NIO 16.6K

$404 NIO 14.8K

$503 NIO 18.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,348 NIO 49.4K

$1,014 NIO 37.1K

$2,165 NIO 79.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$638 NIO 23.4K

$361 NIO 13.2K

$882 NIO 32.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$356 NIO 13K

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: November 30, 2025

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.